New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-24
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
HOW TO MANAGE THE MoRMoNS.

To the Editor o. Ih " L. iF'ohH@
SIR: The public mind appears to be at the presen,
tine much interested in regard TO the probable issue OF
the oedition OF the Uni ed States forces against the
rebel Mo,mons in Utah Territory. Many persons are
Of opiron hst the Saints will resist unto the death any
force which may be sent against them Others think
they will quietly submit, if overwhelming force is
sent forward in the Spring, and the rebellion VIII be no
more he ard of; while others, again. regard the Nor
mons to be in sober earnest when they threaten, rather
than submit to destroy their dwellings, crops, and al
the property they cannot take with them and Leaving
the Territory deso oate waste, take up their abode
within the Russian or British possessions.
Now. all these specuations are made by persons
who are ignorant of the true character OF the with
whom our Government has to deal The writer Of this
communication was prominent actor in the struggle
resulted in the expulsion of the Mormons from
Hancock County Illinois, and in the course of that con-
test narrowly watched every maneuver which they
were aceus med to in order TO attain the ends
which they desired to bring about. From yobserva-
tions of Mormon management during the period re-
ferred to, | became satisfied that nothing could b.
learned as their intended course Of action from their
public threats and demonstrations. The more loudly
and vebementy these threats are made, and the more
boldly ttey are published by their press, the more GER
tain you may be that they do not truly indicate the
policy they intend to pursue. The Mormon leaders IN
dertard well the game of "bluf," and they play it
adroitly. When officer was sent among them to
ascer, ain their Intentions, they were particularly anxious
to impress upon his mind that it was their unanimous
intention to resist unto the DEATH and leave their Ter
rtory wreck rather than submit to the United States
forces. Their object was to bluff and thereby gain
time. They wished to deter the troops from entering
tbe r CITY this Winter because the Summer is ia
yorable for the game they intend to play.
The Normons will not fight any force unless they nre
certain Of victory. They have no idea of suenderng
their possessions and leaving the Territory neither
have they any thought of quietly submitting to the
United States officers sent among them. Wei, what
will they dol Simply this: When the troops are re-
enforced in the Spring they will march into Salt Lake
City, and will there find all the people at their peace
able empoynents--no resistsnce-every man Will be
busy at his work and stare with seeming wonder at
the troops as they pass but the eaders-tho-e whom
the Govenn ent may desire TO arrest and bring to trial
for treasoi-wil be est inren'ps. They VIII be
hid in some secure retreat in the mountains where
they can bid defiance to all search. No man will be
found whose name has been heard oil IN connec-
ton with this rebellion. Now, what is to be done NO
enemy 10 coEqueI-no traitor to be iound worm ar
restipg and bringing traa large army IN san Lake
CITY. cent on fools errand. How long with nothing
10 do, will il be retained there by Government
month or two, perhaps; and then, leaving shaI
force 10 protect the Governor and other ohcers the
main body of the troops will be Withdrawn. Brigham
and his fellow aders will then return to their places
TLev will ,ubmit 70 arrest, aud after mockery oi
trial by Mormon Jury, they will De acquitted. IL al
atempt il made to take them ont Of the Territory taey
will be rescued. The Governor judges ana other
officers will be snubbed an nsulted on all OCCASIONS
heir life in the Territory will be rendered so unpleasant
by threats and every species of annoyance which these
hounds can invent, that they Will be compelled 10
withdraw, as their predecessors have done before
hem. and then the farce Of sending another bodyol
rotrs 10 Itch may be reepacted
We'll. saws one how would you manage the Saints =!
7; Is not my object to point out the remedy, but to
inc cate the difficulty, and leave to wiser heads than
mine TO devise the best plan Of meeting It. viii,
however premise that the leaders Of the Saints care
nothing for United States troops forthey know full well
thu. they will never harm the rank and file Of their
followers unless resisted. volunteer force, which
would be under less restraint than regaars, would be
far more Formidable in their est nationi and in this
connection, | would ask whether large volunteer
force got up by the Government, with view to per-
usnt nj settlement in Utah. would afford the most
reliable means of completely queIlng the Mormons
Warap, III, Feb Is, ls5a. @.