Mariposa Democrat., 1857-12-03
II . r N IT OS:
THURSDAY MORNING DEC. 3
THINGS IN UTAH.

THINGS IN UTAH.
In another column of this days paper will
be found a copy of proclamation purporting
10 emanate from the pen of Brigham Young,
Governor and Superintendent of Indian Af-
fairs for the Territory Of Utah. 1t will be re-
membered that some few months ago it was
currently reported that the above named Gov
ernor had been captured by Col. Sumner, and
was on his way to the City of Washington, a
prisoner in the hands of that officer, charged
with high treason against the United States.
This report had no more foundation in fact
than the hoax about the caving in and wash.
ing away of the Falls of Niagara Mr. James
E. Martin is the bearer of the proclamation,
alleged TO have been sent out to Col Alexan-
der, the officer in command of the advanced
guard of the army of occupation who was
awaiting the arrival of his commanding officer.
The Territory of Utah embraces an area of
1872 square miles, and has a population
within its limits Of over seventy thousand, who
under the control of this Sultan of the West
are likely to be brought into collision with the
troops now on their way to the city of the big
amists. Brigham Young's term of office has
already expired; but as he remains Governor
until his successor is appointed and qualified
he uses his title with some show of authority
in assuming to speak in the name of the peo
pie of the United States. The propriety of
the course of the present administration to-
wards Utah Territory, has been questioned by
some upon the score of expedcncy, and by
others upon the ground that the force sent to
hold the Mormons in obedience to the laws, is
inadequate 1t is more than probable that the
cabinet at Washington is in possession of more
exact and reliable information in regard to the
precise state of things in that Territory
than is known by the people generally, and it
is presumed they are acting in accordance
with the facts of the case and in proper way
to insure the protection of emigrants from
Mormon depredations, and also to enforce the
laws of the United States in Utah. Should a
a collision occur between the troops and the
Mormons, and our troops be defeated, there
will be general expression Of censure through
out the Union against the policy of the gov
ernment-on the unjust principle that want Of
success is culpable--whatevcr untoward cir
cumstances may have favored the army of the
imposter. Judging from the various surmises
aHnnt in tlis antnrnnpitx+ thara 10 b,,t
chance for the Intervention of the emissaries
of the Peace Society. The battle, il any has
been fought, has already decided the dispute,
so far as Mormonism is concerned, for even if
our soldiers are defeated, they will be followed
by so large an army, that resistance will be
impossible, and the Mormons will be driven to
take refuge with their savage allies in the fast
hesses of the forests and mountains whence
they will emerge to make forays upon the more
defenceless settlements, or to do whatever may
most injure every white person, not of their
own sect within their reach. Brigham is gull
ty, should the news be confirmed, of an overt
act of treason. lie is levying troops to wage
war against the General Government; the
crime has been committed and he stands at
tainted of the highest crime known to our
laws. With the capital at his command, as
head of the Mormon Church, he can draw
around him, equip, arm and keep in the field
large force of religious enthusiasts, for short
time, but no sensible man can for moment
doubt their speedy overthrow. The Mormons
are accused of having refused obedience to the
law of the land; of having, by violence, OPP
posed the enforcement of the decisions rem
dered by the Courts established among them
for the purpose of serving the aims of justice !;
of having plundered the immigrants, their fel-
low-citizens; Of having melted the Indians
to aeeds'of rapine and murder most horrible,
of deienccless women and children accompa-
MED by other acts of violence, which can be
imagined, not detailed; and of having assumed
a political position at variance with the pro-
bity, character and power of the Government
For the suppression Of this state of things, the
troops have been sent to Utah. Polygamy,
and its attendant evils, although dangerous to
society," and vicious in all its tendencies, and
the injuries inflicted by the Mormons upon
families and individuals in the abduction of
their daughters and wives have had but little
influence in causing the occupation Of Utah by
the United States troops. They are there to
support the laws, and for that purpose only
SENATORIAL CoNvENnoN-A A Democratic
Convention assembled at Angels, on the 26th
of November, and nominated William T.
Lewis, Esq, of Calavcras County, by acclama-
ton, as the democratic candidate for the State