The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-14

Tia News From tho Great Salt Lalke-The 4
aexmonss New Home. ""~f ,t.
The telegraph and the news Brought by I
the Star Of the West from the Great Salt
Lake indicate that the Mormons coatem
plate removing to the British possessions in
the spring. Doubt is thrswn upon the story
and it is possible that the wish on the part of
their assailants may have been father to the
thought. But there are reasons why the rum0r
may be true. 1t is known that for some time
past Brigham Young has been having q very
thorough survey made of the country lying to
the north of Utah, especially the banks of the
River Columbia. We hear that latterly he has
despatched orders to his scattered disciples in
California and in the southern parts of the Ter
ritory of Utah to join him at Salt Lake City
without delay; and that, accordingly, notwith-
standing the season, trains were en- route for the
Mormon headquarters from the South and the
Southwest. The country along the Columbia is
admirably adapted for settlement and cultiva-
ton; much more SO than any other which is
open to the Mormons on the Pacific.
There is another reason why Brigham Young
may have turned his attention to the British
possessions as new resting place No South
ern hegira would place the Mormons out Of
reach of the American eagle. If they emigrated
to Mexico, they would find the United States
troops there before ten years elapse, asserting
dominion over the country; if they went to
Central America, the same objection would
hold good there. Indeed, the settled expansion
of the United States in q southern and south
westerly direction must necessarily close this
continent, or the southern and central portions
Of it, to any category Of people, race, tribe or
community which is known t., be obnoxious to
or to have rebelled against (he laws of the
United States. There is no home for them
there. But in the North the case is different.
We are not expanding northward. There is no
desire on any ones part to seize any portion of
Canada or the Hudsons Bay Territory. Nor,
in all human probability is any such desire
likely to arise. 1t is too cold up there for
flibusterism; and till all our own territory is
fully occupied we shall not pay much attention
to what is north of US.
Furthermore, it must not be forgotten that
the bulk of the Mormons are Engllshmen
whose attachment to their native flag is strong
and whose ancient patriotistB this last afront
by the government of the United States is likely
to have aroused in full force. The English
Mormons no doubt banker after q return to an
English country; and as they constitute a
large proportion Of the counsellors and
soldiers of Brigham Young, they may be
expected to exercise a very potent influence in
opposition to further endurance in the United
States, and in favor of peaceable migration to
country where they probably fatter them
selves they could prosecute their religion
unmolested.
1t might be supposed that the English,
who express so much horror of Mormonism,
would be as ready to oppose their arrival In
their territory as we should be glad to see them
leave ours. But II Is to be remembered that
the British territory along the Columbia, where
the Mormons would settle if they went north,
forms part Of the dominion of the Hudson's Bay
Company, and the British and Canadian gov i.
ernments have very little right to NEEDLE with
it. OF course, the domestic arrangements of
steady Industrious settlers would be of no con-
sequence to the officers of the Hudson's Bay
Company. So long as their land was titled, large
crops grown, and good rents paid, they would
never ask whether their farmers kept one or
twenty wives. In point Of fact, as Is very well
known, polygamy is already an institution so
well recognized in that region that factor or
commander Of post who has but two wives is
regarded as unusually moderate in his desires,
and not altogether mindful Of the responsible
ties of his station. The Indian traders would
be Of one mind with the Mormons on thatpoint
On the whole, though ultimately Great
Britain would be likely TO make a strenuous
effort to rid herself Of the unwelcome intruders
the chances at present seem very much in ia
vor of the supposed northern hegira. It seems
not at all improbable that Brigham Young
may contemplate, as is said, movement upon
the Columbia with all his troops, wives, chill
dren, cattle, elders, donkeys, sheep and world
Iy and spiritual possessions Whether he start
on this hegira before the troops attack him in
the spring or only afterward cannot be fore
seen; though his common sense and prudence
may well justify the apprehension that be will
adopt the safer and discreeter course.