The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-12-25
THE MORMON WAR.

eteslimate the Importance oil putting down
the first rebellion that has ever been raised
In our territories. But, in our opinion, (says
the Richmond Whig,) the measure he propo-
ses is most rediculous!y inadequate 10 the
end in view. From all accounts, the whole
population of Utah has been placed on war
footing. Every man capable of bearing
arms has been drilled into good soldier
They are amply provided with arms, ammuni-
ton, provisions, and all the munitions ofwar.
They are in country uncommoniy strong
by nature, and almost inaccessible when
approached from certain quarters. They are
in league with numerous tribes of Indians,
many Of whom have even embraced their re-
ligion. They are fifteen thousand strong,
Independently of these Indian allies. Their
force is actually greater than the allied force
which captured Yorktown in 1881, leaving
out the militia employed on that occasion,
for the combined American and French for
ces, under Washington and Rochambeau,
wv Sns iA,OVV hmefiCunSs huu siooV
French. They are animated with the bitter
est hatred against the aGentiles," and the
fercest religious enthusiasm. From present
appearances, they mean to fight to the death.
Now, TO put down this most formidable re-
bellion, the President asks for four addition
al regiments, and he apologies even for as.
king this much! Why, they will not be a
lunch to stay the stomachs of the murderous
scoundrels they are sent to subdue, until
larger meal can be obtained out of those who
may be sent to gather their bones.
is the President afraid to risk his popular
lily, by putting his hand in the direct way
upon the purse of the nation! Is he unequal
10 the crisis! Does he already begin to look
forward 10 reelection, and is the country
to suffer, that he may be second time Presi-
dent os the United States! II this be not so,
why is this rebellion tempered with, 10 this
strange fashion! Why does not the Presi-
dent come out like man, state the difficulty
in the broadcast terms, and call upon Con-
gress to look it in the face? Why does he
bow, and crnge, and beg pardon, like "a
fawning publican" supplicating remorseless
usurer for further loan, or a longer extern
sion of indulgence! Instead of expressing
sorrow for being obliged to ask, why does he
not boldly demand Of Congress what il is the
duty Of Congress to give! Why does he
not say, "the territories are invaded by a
crew of fanatcal murderers? Give me men
and money to put them down! Iwant a
dozen additional regiments, and fifty thou
sand volunteers. This thing must be put
down at once. There is no time to daily
The men must be ready to march by the
middle of May. The winter must be taken
to drill them, for they are going to fight regu-
lar soldiers. The winter must be spent in
raising supplies, forming depots, raising vol
untesrs, arming and drilling them, and ma
king all things ready for spring campaign"
Instead of language like this, the President
whines, and supplicates, and modestly hints,
that four regiments may be necessary! Four
regiments to put down fifteen thousand
armed fanatics, drilled to equal. in their exer-
cises any troops upon earth!
We think we can foresee how all this is
to terminate. The President, from the fear
of putting his popularity in jeopardy, is about
to involve this country in long and periIous
war. Rivers of blood are to flow, for il the
fanatics get the better the first troops that
are sent, it will be impossible to subdue them
without tremendous sacrifice of life. All
this might be prevented by little energy
now. But the reelection Of James Buchanan
is Of far more importance, than the lives of
twenty thousand or fifty thousand American
citizens!