Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-07
THE MORMONS.

This eccentric sect of religionists, are at present
exciting considerable interest, owing to the at-
tempt of the Government to supplant the redoubt-
able Brigham Young. The Mercury thus dscour-
ses on the merits of this vexed question, and we
think, justly concludes that we should deal kindly
with them. The Mormons might as well have
Utah as the Yankees. Polygamy is preferable to
"Free Love-" a hypocritlcal clergy, Aboltionism,
and the various other 'isms" Of the North But
hear what the Mercury says:
sWhat between grasshoppers, artificial irriga-
ton polpgamy, and spice of open rebellion, the
Mormons have become the subject Of grave dis
cussion, and the topic promises to become suf-
iciently fruitful source of disquiet to the new Ad
ministraton. Many leading journals violently
urge the President to put down this miscreant COM
munity by the bayunet and ''little more grape,
Capt. Bragg"
They are oblivious of the memorable instruc-
tions of the celebrated writer on cooking, in treat
ing on the serving up of q trout-"First-you
catch the fish," Now, Col. Steptoe was in COM
mand of respectable division of the United
States Army, stationed in Utah. He has the repu-
tation of being gallant and capable man. He
had been in the Territory long enough thoroughly
to understand the power and temper Of the Nor
mon leaders, and the opinion Of the people He,
perhaps, better than any other man in the army,
knew what would be the difficulties and the chan
ces of contest between the Mormons and the
United States. He was rendered the appointment of
Governor of the Territory by President Pierce, on
the expiration of the term Of Brigham Young
He declined the appointment without hesitation,
and he has scarcely left a conjecture that he did
so, because that he believed it impossible to car
ry out the wishes of the Government against the
fanatic sentiment eff this singular people.
Is the case any better now? It is, undoubtedly,
possible, by an enormous expenditure, to concen-
trate large body of troops in Utah than that
which was under the command Of Col. Steptoe.-
1t is undoubtedly, also possible for the United
States to subjugate and destroy this poor colony
Of eccentric rcligionists, but are accustomed to
demand that the expenditure of life, treasure, and
time on grand scale, shall have some object pro-
portionate in magnitude to the sacrifice.
There is desert plain, terminating in compli-
Gated chains of mountains, which must be passed
before Utah can be touched. The passes Of these
mountains may be easily held by small bodies of
men against ten times their number. Every thing
for the support of the army must be forwarded O.:
yer this desert and mountain region. If they are
defeated, they have TO possibility of retreat; If
they successful, they are left without suosls-
tence-for it is the peculiar agriculture of the
Mormons that alone can supply the necessaries of
life in the desert regions of Utah.
To conquer them is to acquire desert; to as
sail them, with the best appointed force is to run
the extreme peril Of deIeat and foul disaster.
As to the moral question, which some Of our
cotcmporaries dwell upon with passionate earnest
ness, we think the less said the better. Whenever
we recall the history of Sodom, we involuntarily
locate it on the banks Of the Potomac. There are
unclean practices elsewhere than in the City of
the Desert by the great Salt Lake. Let US be
merciful, especially we shall probably save much
money by our forbearance.