The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
fcoNcLusIoN. |

very small; but if it were greater the PTo7ls'
ion would be equally just aud reasonable
These slaves were brought into the Territory
under the constitution of the United States,
and are now the property OF their masters.--
This point has at length been finally decided
by the highest judicial tribunal Of the coun.
try--and This upon the plain principle that
when coniederacy of sovereign States ac-
quire new territory at their joint expense,
both equality ami justice demand tina, the
citizens of one and all of them shall have The
right 10 take into il whatsoever is recognized
as property by the common constitution
To haze sunmarily confscaled The property
in slaves already in the Territory, would have
been an aot 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 9'h
September, 1850, and the Constitution and
laws of The United States were thereby ex-
tended over il ESQ FAR as The same or any
provision thereof, may be applicable" This
act provided for the appointment by The Pres
ident, by and with the advice and consent oil
the Senate, of a governor, who was 10 be ex'
officio superintendent of Indian affairs, Sec.
re,ary, three Judges of the Supreme Court, a
Marshal. and District Attorney. Subsequent
acts provided for The appointment OF The Off
Gers necessary TO extend our laws and our
Indian system over The Territory. Brigham
Young was appointed the first governor on
the Goth September, 1850, and has held the
Office ever since. Whilst Goyerpor Young
has been both Governor and Superintendent
of Indian affairs throughout this perior, he
had been al the same time the head OF The
church called the Latter Day Saints, and
processes 10 govern It's members and dispose
of heir property by direct inspiration and au-
thority from the Almighty. His power has
been, therefore, absolute over both Church
and State.
The people of Utah, almost exclusively,
belong TO this church, and believing through
tansiical spirit that he is Governor of The
Territory BY Divine appointmenr they obey
his commands as if these were drec, revela-
lions from Hetven. II, therefore, he chooses
that his government, shall come into collision
with the government of The United States,
the members OF the Mormon church will
yield implicit obedience TO his will. Unfor-
tuna,ely, existing facts leave but little doubt
that snch is his determination. Without en-.
tering upon minute history of occurrences,
il is sufficient TO say that all the officers oil
the United States, judicial and executive,
with the single exception OF two Indian a.
gents, have found il necessary for their own
personal safety TO withdraw from the Terri.
tory, and there no longer remains any gov.
eminent in Utah but the despotism of Brig.
ham Young This being the condition oil
affairs in the Territory, | could not mistake
the path Of duty. AS Chief Executive Mag.
isirate, was bound TO restore TIE supremacy
oi The Constitution and laws within its lin.
it's. In order 10 effect this purpose, + appoint.
ed a new governor and other federal officers
for Utah, and sent with them military force
for their protection, and TO aid as posse com.
ilaius, in case of nset, 10 the execution Of
the laws.
With the religious opinions of the Nor.
mons, as long as they remained mere opin.
ions, however deplofable in themselves and
revolving 10 the moral and religious senii'
menls Of all Chrisierdom,I had no right to
interfere. Actions alone, when 10 violation
of the Constitution and laws of The United
States, become the legitimate subjects !or the
jurisdiction of the civil magistrate. My 10.
siructions 10 Governor Cumming have there
fore been framed in strict accordance with
these principles. AT their date hope wa;
INDUCED that no necessity might exist fol
employing the military in restoring and ma,u-
tanning the authority Of the law; but this
hope has now vanished; Gov. Young has, by
proclamation, declared his determination lo
maintain his power by force, and has already
committed acts Of hostility against the United
States. Unless he should rstrace his steps
The Territory of Utah will be in state oil
open rebellion. He has committed these
acts OF hostility Notwithstanding Major Van
Vliet, an officer oftte army, sent to Utah by
the commanding general 10 purchase provis.
ions for the troops, had given him the strong
est assurance OF the peaceful intentions OF
the government, and that the troops wouId
only be employed as a posse comiialus when
called on by the civil authority 10 aid in the
execution of the laws. 80
There is reason 10 believe that Governor
Young has long contemplated this result
He knows that the continuance of his des.
polio power.depends npoa the exclusion OF
all settlers from The Territory except those
who viii acknowledge his divine mission
and implicitly obey his will; and thai an en-
ligbteued public opinion there would soon
PROSTATE institutions at war with the laws Of
both God and man. He has iberefore, for
several years, in order TO maintain his indie.
pendence, been industrously employed in
collecting and fabricating arms and nuni-
tons Of war, and in discipluipg the Nor.
mons for military service. As superinlend-
ent OF Indian q fairs he has had 90 fopporiu.
nifty of ,amperias with lhe Indian tribes, and
exciting their hostile feelings agsiusi The U.
Sla,ee. This, according TO our information,
be has accomplished in regard 70 some Of
-