New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-11-24


Some of our contemporaries seem to think that
the position taken by Brigham Young and the Nor
mons Of actual resistance TO the authority of the
United States has relieved the Mormon question OF
most of its embarrassments. II is they tell Us, no
longer q question Of pOIygamy, it has becoue
question Of treason. But ibis does not seem an en-
trefy accurate statement. II would be moro cor
rect TO say that to the question Of poygamy ques
ton of treason has been added, and as il seems to
US, . question no less difficult and embarrassing
than that Of poyeamy it.elf. What is 10 be done
with these traitors How are they 10 be disposed
Of In modern times, and among civilized nstiops,
this question of dealing with rebels has proved
more embarrassing than any other. II is not
Brigham Young alone that is to be dealt with.
Here are hundred thousand Mormons. more or
less. including an unusual proportion Of women and
children. What il 10 be done with theml To
barg them Al or any considerable proportion ofthem,
il out of the question, and to wage war Of exter
The idea 10 suggested indeed, that shall get rid
of the Mormons by their moving away. 1t seems
to be thought thatthe present operations Of Brigham
Young are only to gain time and that in the Spring
he, and all the Mormons with him, will move
of in q body. But where are they to g,'
Some cay TO the British territories, some
TO The Russian territories, some say south into
Mexico. But we are not aware OF any
body Of unoccuped lands in either of these places Of
character sufficiently attractive TO draw the Nor
mons thither, or in fact such as would hold out to
them the prospect even Of bare subsistence. The
original fight of the Mormons to the Salt Lake Val.
ley, full Of hardihips az it was, would be mere
pleasure party in comparison to this new migration.
They could hardly expect TO alisbs BY accident a.
before, upon another place Of temporary refuge,
like that Of the Salt Lake Valley. 1t would seem
more likely that, if pushed to extremity, they
might scatter in small bands among the mountains,
and, Safeguarding with the Indians and subsiding
into savage state, might furnish those wild regions
with moro dangerous and formidable population
than they have yet possessed.
Whatever may be thought of Brigham Young aud
the other leaders, it cannot be doubted that
the great body of the Mormous are acting under
an honest delusion. In undertaking to re-
leve these deluded persons from the tyranny and
domination of their chiefs-which we suppose to
be the real object Of the present expeditionit was
objectionable in the Government to have played 90
they have done into the hands of those leaders By
emitting to make any distinct statement of the OBJ
jet of the expeditOn-f indeed the expedition ass
not gone on without any distinct idea Of what it
was to dO-they have left the Mormon leaders at
liberty to stir up the fanaticism Of their followers
by putting their own Interpretation on the move.
meLt. And the Interpretation they have put on it
n very evident from Brigham Younss proclama.
ton. They regard this expedition, not as intended
merely to enforce the authority of the United States
in the Territory, but as intended, in fact to drive
them out Of the valley, just as in former times
they were driven first cut of Missouri and then
out of illinois. Taking this view of the
case, considering themselves IS having nothing 10
IOse by resintance-not to mention their confidence
10 special interfererces Of Providence in their
fayor-nothiDg is more natural than the determine
ton they seem to have taken, to stand desperately
at bsy and 10 repe force by force. And a. il to en-
courage them in this very determination no less
embarrassing +, us than fatal to themselves, the
expedition, instead of advancing into the valley BY
midsummer, as it should have done, and before the
Mormons had lad time 10 nerve themselves up to
the point Of resistance is delayed to the commence
pent of Winter and then approaches the Terri
tory reduced to loss than half the number orisi-
nslly intended, and under circumstances tha. give
tie Mormons, if they are inclined to fight, every
possible temporary advantage.
Another great piece of folly hes been the leaving
Brigham Young in possession of the title and
authority Of Governor of the Territory. 1t is BY
virtue Of tist very authority that be now uuder-
takes to order the United States troops out Of the
Territory Thus, while resisting the authority
of the United States he claims to act under
their commission. That this CAIN is utterly
ba,ee.s is evident enough, but con,idsrns the
perversions of authority which prevail elsewhere,
it is hardly to be expected that Brigham Youns's
claims a. the lawful Governor Of the Territory
let aone his professions as high priest and prophet
should not invest bis orders in the eyes of the it,
norant Moruons with certain aenblance Of To-
gsity.