Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-12-26

church called the Latter-Day Saints, and
processes to govern its members and dis
pose of their property by direct inspiration
and authority from the Almighty. His
power has been, therefore, absolute over
both Church and State
The people of Utah, almost exclusively,
belong to this church, a believing with
fauatical spirit that hel 'ernor of the
Territory by divine appoint mt, they obey
his commands as if they were direct revc-
lotions from Heaven. If, therefore, he
chooses that his government shall come into
collision with the goyernmcnt of the United
States, the members of the Mormon church
will yield implicit obedience to his will
| Unfortunately, existing FACTS leave but lit
tie doubt that such is his determination.
Without entering upon minute history OF
occurrences, it is sufficient to say that all
the officers of the U. States, judicial and
executive, with the single exception of two
Indian agents, have found it necessary for
their own personal safety to withdraw from
the Territory, and there no longer remains
any government in Utah but the despotism
OF Brigham Young. This being the condi-
tion of affairs in the Territory, could not
mistake the path of duty. AS Chief Exec
utvc Magistrate, | was bound to restore
the supremacy of the constitution and laws
within its limits. In order to effect this
purpose, | appointed new Governor and
other federal officers for Utah, and sent with
them a military force for their protection,
and to aid as posse con,itatus, in case of
need, in the execution of the laws.
With the religious opinions of the Nor
mons, as long as they remained mere opin
ions, however dcplorablc in themselves and
revolving to the moral and religious scnti
monts of all Christcndom, | had no right to
Interfere. Actions alone, when in violation
OF the constitution and laws of the United
States, become the legitimate subjects for
GM9e M l.S'isdiction of the civil magistratc.-
wy lnS'iucC'V"e to Gov. Cumming have.
therefore, been frames !, Str;nt aoc,,.da,,o
with these principles Attheif eO.'bmUo a~ce bnuo
was indulgod that no necessity might exist
for employing the military in restoring and
maintaining the authority of the law but
this hope has now vanished. Gov. Young
has, by proclamation, declared his determi-
nation to maintain his power by force, and
has already committed acts of hostility
against the United States. Unless heshould
retracc his steps the Territory of Utah will
be ina state Of open rebellion. He has
committed these acts of hostility, notwith-
standing Major Van Vlict, an officer of the
army, sent to Utah by the commanding gen
eral to purchase provisions for the troops,
had given him the strongest assurance of
the peaceful intentions of the Government,
and that the troops would only be employed
as posse con,itatuS when called on by the
civil authority to aid in the execution of the
laws.
There is reason to believe that Gov
Young has long contemplated this result
lie knows that the continuance of his dcs-
potic power depends upon the exclusion of
all settlers from the Territory except those
who will acknowledge his divine mission
and implicitly obey his will; and that an
enlightened public opinion there would soon
PROSTATE institutions at war with the laws
of both God and man. He has, therefore,
for several years, in order to maintain his
independence, been industriousy employ
ed In collecting and fnbrcating arms and
munitions Of war, and in discpliuing the
Mormons for military service AS Super
intcndent of Indian affairs, he has had an
opportunity oftampcring with the Indian
tribes, and exciting their hostile feelings
against the United States This, accord
ing to our information, he has accomplish
cd III regard to some of these tribes, while
others have remained true to their allcgi-
ance, and have communicated his intrigues
to our Indian agents. He has laid in a
store OF provisions for three years which,
in case OF fneccssty, as he informed Major
Van Vlict, he will conceal, ''and then take
to the mountains, and bid defiance to all
the powers of government"
A great part of all this may be idle boast
ing; but yet no wise government will light
ly estimate the effort which may be inspir-
ed by such phrensied fanaticism as exists
among the Mormons in Utah This is the
first rebellion which has existed in our Ter
ritories; and humanity itself requires that
we should put it down in such manner
that it shall be the last To trifc with it
would be to encourage It and to render it
formidable. We ought to go there with
such an imposing force as to convince these
deludcd people that resistance would be
vain, and thus spare the eftusion of blood
We can in this manner best convince them
that we are their friends, not their
In order to accomplish this object, it will
be necessary, according to the estimate of
the War Department, to raise four addi-
tional regiments; and this j earnestly re-
! commend TO Congress. At the present mo-
ment of depression in the revenues of the
country, am sorry TO be obliged to recon-
mend such measure; but feel confident
ofthe support ofCongress, costwhat it may,