The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-12-23
BLOOMSBURY, COLUMBIA &C
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
ICokcLUsIoN.1

adopted by the votes OF Tue maJor"y, 'he
rights of property in slaves now in lae terFi-
tory are reserved. The number oil these are
very small; but if it we're greater The ProVis'
ion would be equally jus, and reasonable
These slaves were brought into the Territory
under the constitution of the United States,
and ore now the property OF their masters
This poin, has at length been finally decided
by the highest judicial tribunal OF The coun'
ty-aud this upon The plain principle that
when conlederacy of sovereign States ac-
quire new territory at their joint expense,
both equality aud justice demand that the
citizens of ons and all of them shall have the
right 10 take into ii whatsoever is recognized
as properly by the common constitution
To haze suihmarily confscaled the property
in slaves already in The Territory, would have
been an act of gross injustice, and contrary
10 the practice of the older States OF the
Union which have abolished slavery.
A territorial government was established
for Utah by act of Congress approved the 9Th
September, 1850, and the Constitution and
laws of the United States were thereby ex'
tended over it ESQ far as The same or any
provision thereof, may be applicable" This
ACT provided for the appointment by ihe Pres
ident, by AVID with ,he advice and consent OF
the Senate, of a governor who was TO be ex.
officio superintendent of Indian affairs, a Sec.
relary, three Judges of the Supreme Court, a
Marshal. and District Attorney. Subsequent,
acts proyidsd for the appointment OF The Off
Gers necessary to extend our laws and our
ILdian system over the Territory. Brigham
Young was appointed The first governor on
the goth September, 1850, and has held The
Office ever since. Whilst Governor Young
has been both Governor and Superintendent
of Indian affairs throughout this perlor, he
had been al The same lime the head Of the
church called the Latter Day Saints, and
processes 10 govern lis members and dispose
of their property by direct inspiration aud au-
thotty from the Almighty. His power has
been, therefore, absolute over both Church
and State.
The people of Utah, almost exclusively,
isna,ical spirit that he is Governor of the
Territory BY Divine appointment, they obey
his commands as if these were direct revela-
,ons from Heaven. If, therefore, he chooses
that his government shall come into collision
with the aovernmen, of The United States,
the members oil The Mormon church will
yield implicit obedience 10 his will. Unfnf-
,unaely, existing facts leave but little doubt
that such is his determination. Without en-
,ering upon minute history of occurrences,
il is sufficient 10 say that all the officers Of
the United States, judicial and executive,
with the single exception OF two Indian a.
gents, have found it necessary for their own
personal safety 10 withdraw from the Terri
tory, aud there no longer remains aGy gov
eminent in Utah but the despotism of Brig
ham Young. This being The condition OF
affairs in the Territory, I could not mistake
The path OF duty. AS Chief Executive Mag
islrate, was bound 10 restore The supremacy
oil The Constitution and laws within its linn
It's. In order 10 effect this purpose, | appoint
ed q new governor aud other federal officers
for UIah, and sent with them military force
fun their pr"'.e,'en, ~"d 10 aid as n posse com
i,a,us, in case Of need, in The execution of
the laws.
With the religious opinions of the Nor
mons, as long as they remained mere op'n.
ions, however deplorable in themselves and
revolving 10 the moral aud religious sentI
menis OF all ChIislerdom, had no right to
interfere. Actions alone, when in violation
of the Constitution and laws of the United
Siales, become the legitimate subjects 'of The
jurisdiction of the civil magistrate. My in
slructions 10 Governor Cumming have there.
fore been framed in strict accordance with
these principles. AT their date hope was
INDUCED that no necessity might exist for
employing the military in restoring and MAN.
tanning the authority of the law; but this
hope has now vanished; Gov. Young has, by
pioc lamalion, declared his determination TO
maintain his power by force, and has already
committed acts OF hostility against the Unired
S,a,se. Unless he should r.trace his steps
the Territory of Utah will be i'm a state of
open rebellion. He has commIlled these
acts OF hostility notwithstanding Major Van
Vliet, an officer of the army, sent 10 Utah by
the commanding general to purchase prcvis-
ions for the troops, had given him the strong
est assurance of the peaceful intentions Of
the government, and that the troops would
only be employed as posse comitalus when
called on BY the civil authority TO aid in the
execution of the laws.
There is reason 10 believe that Governor
Young has long contemplated This result
He knows that The continuance of his des.
polic power depends upon the exclusion of
all settlers from The Territory except those
who will acknowledge bis divine mission
and implicitly obey his will; aud tha, an EN-
lighiened public opinion there would soon
PROSTATE institutions al war with The laws of
both God and man. He has herefore, Tor
several years, in order 10 maintain his indie
pendence, been indusiriously employed in
collecting and fabricating arms and muni-
lions Of war, and in diaciplining the Nor.
mons for military service. As superinlend-
ent of Ind;an a Ha ;rs ha ha G had an onn,vtu-