Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-06-26
SENATOR DOUGLAS ON THE UTAH CUES

Twill now reapond to the call which has been made
urcn me for my opinion of the condition OF things in
Utah. and the appropriate remedy tor existing evs;
The Territory OF Utah was organized under one Of
the acs known as the compromise measures OF looO,
on the supposion that the inhabitants were Amerl-
eau citizens owing and acknowledging allegiance to
tho United States and consequently entitled 10 the
benefits of selroverrr,ent while Territory, and to
admission into the Union equal footing with the
oririr.l States 90 soon they should number the
requisite population. II was conceded ON all hands
and nv eli psrties that the pecularlties Of their rel
pious faith and ceremonies interposed no valid and
constitutional objection to their reception Into the
Union in conformity with the federal constitution 90
long as they we're in all other respects entitled to ad
mission. Hence the great poitcal parties OF the
country endorsed and approved tho compromise
measures Of 1885, including the act for the organiza
ton of the Territory of Utah, with the hope and in
the confidence that the inhabitants would conform to
the constitution and laws and prove themselves
worthy respectable, and law. abiding citizens II we
are permitted to place credenee IN inc rumofs ana
reports from that country, land it nuat be admitted
that they have increased and strengthened and as
sumed consistency aud plausibility by each 9co-
ceedng NALL seven years experience mas disclosed
state of facts entirely different from that which was
supposed to exist when Utah was organized. These
rum,Ts ;uG reports would seem to Justify the be.
lief that the following facts are susceptible OF proof
let That nine.tenths Of the inhabitants are aliens
BY birth, who have refused to become naturaSed, or
to take the oath of allegiance or to do any other act
the paramount authority in that Territory.
I'd. That all the inhabitants, whether native or
alien born known az Mormons, land they constitute
the whole people of the Territory bound by hor
rid oaths aud terrible penalties to recognise and main
tain the authority Of Brigham Young, and the gov
ernrnen of which he is the head paramount to that
of the United States, in civil as we'll as religious at.
fsirs and that they WILL in due time, and under the
direction Of their leaders, all means in their power
to subver the government OF the United States and
resist it's authority.
3D.. Tha: the Mormon government, with Brigham
Young at its head, ia now forming alliances with the
Indians tribes of Utah and adjoining territories,
stimulating tbs Indisns TO acts of hostility ana or
canizng bands If hs own followers, under the name
of "D8nites Destroying Angels ITO prosecute sys
tenn of robbery ... .-,u-der upon American citizens
VINO support the authority Of the United States and
dsn,unce the infamous and disgusting practices aud
institutions Of the Mormon government.
IT, upon full investigation these representations
shall prove true they will establish the.fact that the
inhabitants of Utah, as community, outlaws and
alien enemies, unfit to exercise the right Of self gov
eminent under the organic net. and unworthy to be
admitted into the Union State, when their only
object in seeking admission 10 interp0so the
eisuty CT tho State, as an nvpclbIe shield to protect
them in their treason AM ne, debauchery and in
Under this view of the subject, think il 10 the
duty OF the President. | have no doubt it is his
fixed purpose, TO remove Brigham faung and all his
followers from office, and to fiji their places with
bold, able, and true men, ana 10 cause a thorough
aud searching investigation nto ali Tue crimes and
enormities which are alleged TO be perpetrated daily
in that Territory, under the direction Of Brigham
Young end his confederates, and 10 Use all the mill
tary force necessary to protect the officers in tho dis
charge of their duties AID to enforce the laws Of the
land. [Appause.]
When the authentic evidence shall arrive, If il
shall establish the facts which believed to exist
it will become the duty OF Congress TO apply the
knife and cut out this loathsome, disgusting ulcer
Applause No temporizing policy-ro halfway
inessure-will then answer, 1t has been supposed
by those who have not thought deeply upon the cub
ect that an act OF Congress prohibiting murder, rob-
berry, polysamy, and other crimes with appropriate
penstie. for those offences would afford adequate
remedies for all the enormities complained of. Sup
pose such law TO be the statute-bock, and be-
leve they have criminal code, providing the usual
punishmeuts for the entire catalogue Of crimes, &C
cording to the usases Of all civilized and Christian
countries, with the exception Of po!ygsmy, which is
practised under the sanction of the Mormon Church,
but is neither prohibited authorised by the laws
of the Territory. =
Suppose, | repeat, that Congress should pass Law
prescribing criminal code, and Furnishing puy gany
among other offences, what effect would it have
what good would it do Would you call on 70 grand
jurymen with % wives each to find bill OF lndict
ment against poor miserable wretch for having two
wives lCheers and laughter. Would you rely
upon IL petit jurors with IL wives each TO convict
the same loathsome wretch for having two wives
Continued applause. Would you expect grand
jury composed of " "Danites" to find bill Of in