Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1858-01-05
TiIe MORMON QUESTION.


Brother BR1eHAM seems determined, II pos.
sible, tq give some trouble to the pO:gers that
be-: He declares. in emphatic 4angpegs, his
purpose to oppose the govefasaent force now
in Utah, and saysth that unless 1t is:imtfeediatey
Withdrawn, it shall be utterly aud entirely
annibilated. Whether Gov. Young has the
power 10 execute this wholesale threat, must
be decided by time and future action. That
he is Sufficiently strong and abupdantSy willing,
to give trouble to the Administration, there
can be no question, and unless lager torce
is soon sent than that now in thatuu happy
territory, it is greatly to be feared Abat Col.
Alexander aud his comrades will hare rough'
time Of it. In his letter to Col. Alexander,
| Gov Y. holds the following explicitlaugu ::
"We have yet studiously avoidedthe she'd
ding CT blood, though we have resortdd to
measures to resist our enemies, and through
the operation of those mild measures yoa can
easily perceive that you and your troops are
now at the mercy of The elements, and that
we live in the mountains aud our men ere all
mountaineers. This the COVER mAnt should
know. and also give us our rights, and then
let us alone.
AS to the style of ilose measures, past pre-
sent or future, persons acting in self-defence
have of right wide scope for choice. and
that too, without being very careful as 70 what
name their enemies may see fl to term that
choice; for both we and the kingdcm of God
will be free from all AjsS, ePprossors, the
Lord being our helper. ssrss ieni6gs, to waste
and exterminate this people have been sound
ed in our ears for more thansa score Of years,
and yet we live. The Zion of the Lord is
here and wicked men and devils cannot de-
stroy it. II You persist in your attempt to
permanently locate an army in this Territory
contrary to the wishes and constltutionaIr rights
of the people therein, and with view 70 aid
the administration in their unhaIlowed efforts
to pain their corrupt officials upon. Us, and to
protect them, and bIacklegs, black hearted
scoundrols, whore-masters and musderers, as
was he sole intention in sending you aud
your troops here, you will have, 10 meet a
mode of warfare against which your tactics
furnish you no information"
You write, ut becomes you to look 10 the
cons quences for you must be aware that
unequal n contest can never be successfully
sustained hy the people you govern" We
have counted the cost it may be to us; we
look for the United States to endeaecr to swal-
low as up, and we arc prepared for the con
test, i they wish to fortgo the constitution in
their inAane efforts TO crush out all human
rights. But the cost Of SO suicidal coursc
to our enemies we have not wasted our time
in considering rightly, deeming it more par
ticuarly their business 10 figure out and ar
rive at the amount Of so immense a sum. It,
is now the Kingdom of God and the King
dom Of the Devil. II God is for Us we will.
prosper; but if lie IS for you and against us
yoa will prosper, and we will say "Amen ! let
the Lord be God, and Him alone ne will
serve"
He goes on further.to say, that by rirtue Of
his Office as Governor OF Utah, he commands
Alexander to marshall his forces and forthwith
leave the territory, as it can be of no possible
benefit to him or to the government he repre-
sents, TO persist in coarse which must result
in the overthrow of all engaged in it,and adds
by way of conclusion the following:
Were you and your feliow.ofirers as well
acquainted with your men as am with mine
aud did they understand the work they are;
nov. engaged in as well as you may under+
stand 1t, you must know that many of them
would Immediately revolt from all conn ctiort
with SO ung, dy, iIItgsa sunconstitptonal and
helHsh crusade against an innocent people +
end if their blood is she'd it shall rest upon the
heads of their commanders. !:
With us it is the kingdom of God or moths
ing.
have the honor to be
Your obedient servant.
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
Governor and Superintendent of
Indian Affairs of U. T.
C. r AIESANOER Col 10Th Infantry TX