The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-24
THE Utah QUESTION

THE UTAH QUESTION.
from the Liverpool Menbial Star, Dec. le-Epglisff
Organ of the hormons
Many conflicting statements, some Of which are
altogether inconsistent, before the public, re-
lative to the state of affairs i'm Utah. We extract
for readers what appears TO be the most official
and, consequently, most entitled to credence, as
such will no doubt constitute the handspring OF the
action of the general government towards the peo-
pie OF that Territory. Governor Young is evidently
dischargng the functions of his office with degree
Of promptitude little anticipated by those who are
assailng the rights and liberties OF the people Of
which he has been appointed guardian by the Presi-
dent and Senate of the United States. He evidently
looks upon the force entering Utah invading
force having for its object the subjugation of the
people to civilized Christian notions of religion and
the breaking up of their religious institutions. That
this is their object is unquestionable. It has been
heard and reiterated time aud agan-from the
Cabinet Council and from COngress-by the leading
journals and by all the priests of the day who in
fuence public opinion, that the Mormons must give
up their poygamy, and be reduced to the one wife
system before they can be admitted into the Union,
or be entitled To the common respect and cviMties
of Christian people. This being the universal de-
'ision of the American nation upon the peo-
pc of Utah, it il reasonable to suppose that
no. her the Governor nor the people would quietly
aDC tameiy submit to those measures which in
evaly destined to compel them to sacrifice their
religion their faith their union, their wives, their
children aud their liberty of conscience to des-
troy them people II the credit of sincerity
in their religion were allowed the Saints the world
must know that they would endure the suferngs OF
the latter before they would sacrifice the former.
The question, therefore, assumes important
| pect, and demands from all concerned a serious
consideration. That question is, whether war Of
determination shall be waged against the "Mormons'
| in Utah. or whether they shall be allowed to live
| their religion, and still cherish their sacred and
| Scrpitual institutions. The people of Utah have
virtually answered this question their part-that
they will If necessary, sacrifice everything they pos
sess even TO their lives, before they viii sacrifice
their religion suffer il to be trampled upon With
| impunty. In this unanimous decision they have
the sympathy of NAM scores of thousands scattered
throughout the world, who have embraced the samo
| faith, and many more thousands whose fathers,
mothers, brothers and sisters, are among the people
of that Terrtoy to whom they are bound by the ties
Of consangunity IL not OF religious faith.
| The NEw YORK HERALD has at last become
verted to the fact that brigham Young in his policy,
| Is determined. If he IL not sincere. We know that
| Captain Van Vlet testifes. Under these circum-
stances the wiseacre Of popular sentiment prefers
the exodus Of the "Mormons' 10 some unknown re
gon, rather than the credit of exterminating hun
dred dthousabd souls from American SOIL over which
the rights and privileges OF the constitution are ex
tended. This certainly, IL generosity with q VEN
geance, at the expense OF consistency If the people
Of Utah citizens OF the United States not enti-
tied To live under the American government they
are not under any other. Then why be 10 ready TO
dispense with the honor of doing mankind service
by putting at once end TO their careerl II might
not be popular act in this enlightened Christian
age; but why let popularity swerve from what In
your estimation has become such an apparent duty?
Why lose the opportunity OF immortalizing your
name by urging the slaughter Of hundred thousand
American citizens at their own homes and hresides
without cause or prOvocatioDl
But, says one, provocation has been given
Governor Young has proclaimed martial law
throughout the Territory, and srrayed the
forces of the Territory against those of tho
general government. Allowing this TO be the
case, circumstances must decide whether IL IL a
real or only an imaginary provocation. The fact that
an officer has given offence in the discharge Of his
duty does not prove that he has exceeded his au-
thority. lf accounts are correct, the Governor of
Utah claims authority for his acts and il exercising
the legal functions oi his Office for the peace and
protection OF the Territory. BY Congressional en-
actmtnt he was made commanderin-chief Of the
militia of the Territory and by virtue Of his oath
OF Office, he is required TO the authority vested
in him for the safety and welfare of the people,
especially when the evidence is before him that they
are endangered by armed invading force. Neither
is this duty peculiar TO the Governor Of Utah alone.
but IL is the duty of every Governor, whether OF
State or Territory Governor that would do
otherwisethat would tamely submit TO the despoil-
ing of his territory and the destruction Of his peo-
pie. would be looked upon as vile miscreant, a
cowardy knaye, and as justly meriting the indigna
tion OF a world. We are confident there would
Be no exceptions to this rule, unless in
further, when an armed force insisted upon
marching into the very heart and cen
trc OF territory, against the warning and pro
ciamations OF srch unquestonable authority, what
else could have been expected but that serious dis
asters might follow such defiant oourse-a
from which wisdom alone would have dictated for
beamnce, until the question Of right and authority
was, IL possible. amicably decided
The HERALDs advice to give Brigham Young and
his chief conspirators promises Of mercy" un-
called for as 10 is gratuitous lie may have forgot
ten that but few years since the Prophet and Pa
trsrch Of that people were martyred in cold blood
under promise of protection rom the government;
but the Saints have not neither can they be expect
ed ever 20 forget that infamous deed-a deed sane
toned by the government, without the first step
being taken to redress the wrong, or 10 bring the
perpetrators 70 an account. They have not forgot
ten that they lay been more than once extermi-
mated from theft homes and driven from place to
place. and men. women and children slain by thou
sands. under the most horrible and heartrendng
circumstances. This, with very much more, they
remember has been approved by the government
that should have protected them; and il that
people have now TO depend upon the pro-
misses Of power which has proven itself 80 utterly
faithess, they certainly without hope. We havs
no idea that the people of Utah will put the halter
around their own necks by accepting promises from
such source, however abundantly or gratuitously
they may he given. We see no remedy. severely
burned child will dread the fire. should Brigham
Young and his chief conspirators' have occasion to
go 90 another Carthage most undoubtedly the people
viii go there with them.
In the present crisis Il is a well known fact that
the PEOPLE in Utah were honestly and indnstriousy
pursuing their business avOcations with unusual
degree OF prosperity, and were IN the enjoyment OF
peace and quietude, until disturbed by the approach
OF those whom they had every reason to believe were
avOwed enenscs to the union, peace and deyouty
cherished institutions OF the community. They Tore
saw a reenactinq of scenes OF murder, driving, ra
Wishing and pillage. from which they had but Jnst
escaped, and which were still fresh upon tneir
minds. They knew that the strong military arm OF
that power which had sanctioned all the past suffer
inCs and martyrdoms they had endured was once
more raised against them. The boast OF the army
nbble that they would have all they wanted Of the