The Washington union., 1858-02-16
RErRospEcr OF THE UTAH QUESTION.

A very brief retrospect OF the Mormon lmpfoSho
will put that somewhat t-misunderstood question in
its true light 1t will be distinctly remembered by
the whole population of the United States that about
year ago the judges of the federal courts in Utah
were driven out Of the Territory by the Mormons,
the courts Of Justice closed and their records burn
ed that the federal authorities of the United States,
executive and Judicial banished from the Ter
rtory contemptuously spurned and set at nanght
Immediately upon the Inauguration Of Mr.. Buchan-
an he found himself called upon to See that "the
laws of the United States were faithfully executed
and to this end his oath compelled him to send civil
officers to Salt Lake to take the places Of those
who had been already expelled by the Mormons
The dscontented state OF feeling which noto-
rousy pervaded the Indian tribes OF that vast
region also rendered it imperative upon the admin
istration to send into the military Department
of Utah strong escort. The fragrant insubordina-
ton of the Mormons rendered the sending of troops
necessary posse to sustain the authority OF the
executive and judicial officers of the federal govern
ment sent out by MFR. Buchanan, and the discomfort
of the Indians also required the overawng presence
of strong military force in that military Department
The force which accordingly sent forward were
sent strictly with reference to these two considera
tons and not in the character of an invading force
against.a hostile country.
1t had never entered the head of any outside
of the Mormon church that there even the re-
mote possibility of collision between the United
States troops and the people of this United States
Territory. Such an act of madness and treason as
would put so large number Of people in open re-
bellion against the government of their own coun-
try was not expected of the Mormons even by those
who knew them best
So little was such state Of things az has actual
ly transpred apprehended by any ono connected
with tho government army, that General Harvey,
with commendable prudence and foresight, ito say
nothing of the amcable spirit which actuated the
very commander of the expedtion,) despatched a
discreet and efficient staff officer to Utah in advance
of the arrival of troops for the purpose purchasing
there the needful provision supplies, and of pro-
vding beforehand comfortable quarters for the
army.
II was not until this officer had reached Salt Lake.
and until the advanced columns Of the troops destined
for that department had accomplished three fourths
of the long march thitherward that the fact became
manifest of determination by the Mormons to COM
plete, by open violence and armed resistance the
treason they had commenced by the forcible expul
sion of the Judges and other civil officers of the fed
eral government from their jurisdiction. They not
only refused to sell this staff officer supplies and to
afford accommodations for the army, but they charged
him with messages of defiance to the army and the
President, and took pains to impress him by every
possible means with not only their intention, but
their ability to resist the federal troops and govern
ment by force These declarations were duly fol-
| lowed by fragrant acts of crime and violence. They
did not stop at mere resistance they assumed the
aggressive. Our trains of provisions met on the
road as far as two hundred miles from Salt Lake,
attacked plnndered, and destroyed Public prop
| erty to q vast amount was burned or stolen, and
an army of resistance to the progress of our
civil officers and troops regularly organized
oficered, and sent into the field by the Mormons
| Martial law was proclaimed by Brigham Young,
their profane hierarch, and insulting demand
| sent to an American army marching under the
American flag upon American soil, to lay down
their arms and surrender at discretion. Such con-
duct on the part of the Mormons was even less ex-
pectcd by the officers of the government than has
long period since it convened. A single incident
will serve to show how far any formal conflict with
the Mormons from the expectation of the federal gov
ernmentand the officers ofthe army. TWAS considered
much matter of that several kinds Of prov-
sons could be purchased from the inhabitants of the
Territory that these articles kept back in the
hindmost provision trains; and thus it happened
when the Mormons refused to sell provisions at al, ,
that the troops wero obliged to be put upon very
meagre ratons of salt for WHILE tho staple article
of Salt Lake. If the design and intention had been
to send forward the army against Utah army of
invasion against hostile foreign power, a declara-
tion of war from Congress would have been awaited
and force despatched Of very different proportions
and appointments from that which was sent by the
administration. AS it was an uncomfortable body
OF troops were sent out to military department
under the jurisdiction of our own government, and
in the occupation of our own people. 1t was sent
not for purposes of war; but in obedience to the
duty which rested upon the President to the laws
of Congress faithfully executed in our own territory
and the citizens of our country protected from the
tonahawk and rifle of the savage.
The Mormon rulers, we repeat-having driven out
the officers of the United States usurped their exec,-
five fncfiOna cloaed fla co,1rta of iuat;ce h,rnt