Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-04
The Latter Day Saints.

- HE recent news from ULan, Say tio A>o1S'
more American, seems to set it beyond doubt
that the entrance Of the United States troops
into that territory, viii meet witbsa desperate,
and ii isso be- ,upprehended, successful resist-c
ance. Capt Van Vliet 0f>the United States
Army, who left Great Salt Lake City ON the
18th of September, reports state OF things
which cannot be mistaken. He was treated
with the utmost politeness during his stay OF one
week in that city, and invited TO partake of the
hospitalites etTtheirlleadihg men, the Mormons
being in fact, almost oppressive in their ceremo-
Nous attentions; but in their public declarations
and in private, they all appeared to be animated
with determination under NO circumstances TO
permit the United States troops or territorial
officers to get toothold in the Territory. They
are perfectly wild with their fanaticism on the
subject and if defeated in their resistance to the
approaching expedition, are determined to des-
troy their crops and dwellings and take to the
mountains. They have no Hesitation in boldly
avowing their determination to cut off the expe5
dition now on its way to Utah; and what is re-
ally unfortunate, they have, the means in their
hands of affecting that purpose. The present
expedition viii not accomplish what has beenex-
pected of it. 1t has started too late, is not
strong enough in point of numbers, and Is not
sufficiently supplied with provisions. u, Is IN
all probability destined to endure horrible sut-
ferings and privations the coming winter, for no
supplies whatever will beobtained by them in
Deseret. The Mormons will not sell to them,
but will if they cannot drive them back make o
desert before them as they, as they advance
The snow storm encountered by the troops on
the 18th of September has given them some
thing of tortaste of what they may expect from
the inclemency of the season as it advances. A
discourse delivered by Heber @. Kimball at Salt
Lake City and published in the Deseret News,
indicates plainly the spirit which prevails among
the Mormons. "We are he exclaims 1.-THE peo-
ple of Deseret; she shall be Deseret; she shall
no more be called Utah." he scotis at the. pre-
tensions of the general government 10 appoint Of
fcers over them, and exhorts the people to arm,
even to the women and children. n And then in
the very phrensy of fanaticism he cries out, I'VE
are the kingdom, of God 1--WE are the State OF
Descret; and we will have you'' Cunning to
Young, who was presently sbrother Brigham, as
our governor Just as long as you live; we will
not have another governor" and all the people.
shouted "Amen?" There is no doubt of the fact
that the most bitter sentiments of hostility are
entertained against the people of the .. States by
the followers of Mormonism land in the Ito them)
approaching crisis, these feelings are excited to
the highest pitch. A collision with the United
States and a wal; with Utah may be considered
almost inevitable. J.e 5,ral a.37i Jgsdr 90
Capt. Van Vliet was detached by Gen. Har-
ney at the beginning of August, toproceed to o.
Utah, to gather necessary Information concern
ing the disposition ofthe inhabitants, the geog-
raphy of the routes. to the Territory, the condi-
ton ofthe crops, &c. He returned to Fort La
rame on the 9th of September. From a letter
written at that place. on, the 2sth of Sept, we
extract the following: .bsi.nui) .a5s .,i,l .gae|
Their (the Mormons) expressed determination
from first to last was this--to resist at all haz-
ards the ingress of the troops this autumn
When they were reminded of the certainty that
in case their resistance oneyear should be efiec'
tual force would be dispatched to Utah the
Eext against which twice their population IN
arms would strive in vain to close the pass.
es, they replied that they had considered all
that, and that when such q force had storined
those passes, they would enter valley in which
not one shrub would be green nor one stone re-
main upon another They took pains TO show
him their gardens and Vineyards their harvest,
barns. houses and live stock, and to contrast
their present prosperity with such scene OF
desolation. Their object they said was to gain.
time to enablethe national government to retrace
its steps, and they intend to present their case
to Congress through their delegate Dr.. Bernhi-
sci, who accompanied Capt. Van Vliet on his de.
parture and is now in his camp. 1t was ut one
Period his determination not to proceed to
Washington this winter, but that was reconsld-
cred. -a-aa.---'-- --
They said that they would regard the entrance
of the troops as the beginning Of repetition
of their sufferngs at Kirkland, Independence and
Nauvoo that they had learned d lesson from
experience, and would now meet aggression at
the start, and resist the wedge before it should
enter the wood; if they could not keep. the
troops out this year they would sacrifice all for
their religion, take to the mountains and nght
war of glory and determination. Brigham
Young remarked repeatedly that this was the
most glorious era of his faith, and that happier
dav never dawned on Mormonism than that on
which the advance of the troops was ordered,
for the more his church was prosecuted the
more it would thrive. ~
On Sunday, September Is, Captain; Van Vliet
was asked to attend religious services in the
Bowery, and was escorted to prominent seat
upon the PLATFORM and invited to make an adj
dress, which invitation he declined. BY count
ing the number of persons upon certain tiers OF
benches he estimated the audience to exceed A.
500. After some remarks by Heber O. Kimball
a discourse was delivered by Elder John Taylor
formerly editor of The Mormon, the newspaper
organ of the church in New York city. At the
close Mr.. Taylor called the attention of the peo-
pie to the Captain, and alluded tohis business in
the city, recounted the substance OF hisconver-
sations, and said that he would make request
-, hat mi lpnr
that he had been made acquainted with the de-
termination of the people he would ask that all
those present who were willing to raze their
houses, burn their crops, pull down what they
had passed ten years in building up, make their
beautiful valley adesert, and retreat to the
mountains in case the troops should force an en-
trance, wOule rise and the audience, without
exception, rose to their feet, and remained
standing long enough to enable him to see that
they were absolutely unanimous. GDi.1aa 80 gi
During the previous proceedings, in order to
answer practically an inquiry by the Captain
concerning the proportion of foreigners present
to the native born and naturalized citizens, Mr..
Taylor requested all present who belonged to
the two latter classes to raise their hands, and
abont three tourths of the audience complied
The Captain confirms the fact of the concen-
tration of the population of Utah in Salt Lake
Valley by the abandonment of the remote set
Elements, and lie estimates the force the Nor
mons can set in the field at between five and
six thousand. They have abandoned the cobble
stone fertilization at Fort Bridger, description
of which sent to you from Fort Kearney, a'it
was given to me by party Of Californians, and
the men employed there have fallen back a.
bout twenty miles to a redoubt called Fort Sup
ply. He was also given to understand that they
intend to recall their missionaries from the
States, but not from foreign countries
With regard to divisions in the Mormon com
inunity, he satisfied himself that there does
indeed exist in certain quarters a dislike Of the