American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-05-30
THE MORMON QUESTION.

just article from the last number of the
New York Times. We make no apolo.
gy for the amount Of space in our col
u MS we devote to the Mormon ques.
tion, for undoubtedly it is one of the
lEoss important questions of the day.
1t Is question that must very soon be
met and vigorously grappled with, and
surely the sooner the better. The idea
If submitting much longer to the OK
'sting condition Of things is altogether
too humllating and revolving to be toll
Grated by the people of the country.
Partisans may talk about the fidelity
and energy of MIR. Buchanan admins
istration, but all such talk is roor
and miserable mockery, while u humid
red thousand people, occupying a
thousand square miles of territory, are
allowed to annihilate the rights of A.
mcrican citizenship and the protection
of Republican Government and law,
and not finger is lifted at Washing
ton for establishing the supremacy of
the Constitution. n moe damning
excmplilication Of the imbeclity of an
administration could scarcely be pictu,
red by human fancy. -. t.
We presume that collision with the
Mormons will come at no distant day,
for, however irresolutc the administra-
ton may be, public opinion will force
it to undertake the performance of it's
duty. And, when the collision comes,
it will undoubtedly be serious bust
mess. The Mormons are a Fighting
people, aud in this case they will fight
with all the fury of the widest fanati-
cism. Still if the President of the Uni.
ted States cannot find in the Democrat
ic party Governor for Utah and sus-
tain him with an adequate force in the
discharge Of his official duties, then the
President and the Democratic party
had better throw up their hands in i'm
potent despair and acknowledge them
selve fit for no useful purpose under
heaven Lou. Jour.
"WAR WITH THE MoRMCNs.-Thc
victims Of Mormon outrage and illegal
violence, such as related in our columns
on Monday last, are not found exclu-
sivcly in the ranks of the church. We
learn by conversation with gentle
man recently arrived from Great Salt
Lake City, that Brigham Young no
longer makes even fcint of rccogni-
zing any authority save his own, any
law save his will. No usurping despot
ever waved his sccptre more impcrious-
ly over the head of his subject vassals,
than does tho Mormon High Priest
over his superstiticus followers and all
who come within the reach Of his pow
or. When our informant left Salt Lake
City, he was threatening te drive all
Gcntiles out Of his "kingdom,' and
his minions were burning or dwelling
the houses and destroying the proper
ty even of those of his followers who
dared allow Gentilcs to board with
them, or who would not fully subscribe
to and endorse the outragcs committed
by the more violent and abandoned of
the community Gin the name of the
Lord" ....
Thus it will be seen that the Nor
mon theocracy has usurpcd unlimited
dominion over a portion of the United
States Territory something like thou
sand square miles in intent! Within
this region the rights of American cit
izcnship and the protection of Repub-
lican Government and law have been
annihiatcd. This is no theory, but
absolute fact. The Constitution is not
merely dccried in stump speeches or
pulpit harangucs, bat is practically alb
rogatcd and displaced by the code Nor
mon. The principle and essence of
Law were long since subycrtcd through
the agency Of Mormon juries, spies,
and assassins; but now even the form
of law is discarded, and its ministers
are insulted, abused, and dcGcd.
In this condition of affairs the Gov
ernment at Washington cannot hesitate
as to the proper course to be pursued.
The alternatives arc simple--they arc
either acquiesccnce in the Mormon in
depreciation of popular sovereignty"
and submission to this blasting libel
upon the American name, or the asser-
ton of the Federal authority by what
ever instrulncntalitics are most certain
to secure and maintain its supremacy.
The case is an unfortunate one beyond
doubt; but it is before us, and must be
dealt with as it is. 10 evade it, to
postpone the issue because of the trou-
bic it involves, is like hesitating about
remedial measures at time of pcsti-
lcncc, because of the unfortunate nc
cesSity for such measures. We do not
doubt that the remedy in tic present
case must be reached through scenes of
blood; but even that must be met. 1t
is no crusade against a religious faith
that We are cnllel to cntnr unnn=hut n