The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-24


not - Nsar ~ TsrRl~Aeasn.
We publish this morning several letters from
our correspond mt at Fort Bridger, giving the
latest and most reliable Intelligence from that
quarter. 1t VII be seen, from the Information
thus conveyed, that the Utah difficulty is not
wearing quite so satisfactory an aspect Is the
previous accounts seemed to impart to it. 1t is
true that Governor Cumming was on his way to
Salt Lake City, but the circumstances under
which he undertook this step do not justify the
expectation that 1t will in any way advance the
objects Of the expedition.
1t should be borne in mind that Brigham
Young has always declared that General John
stons force shall never be permitted to enter their
city. Nov, Notwithstanding the statements that
have reached US Of the alarm under which the
Mormon leaders are said to be laboring, and of the
resignation or intended resignation Of Brigham
himself the efforts that have been made to induce
Governor Cumming to trust himself unattended
in their hands looks to us more like determi-
nation on the part of the Saints to maintain
their position than to back out of 1t in the way
which they are said to contemplate. Had they
been disposed to make such . submission as the
federal authorities are alone instructed to &C
cept, they had an opportunity Of opening nego-
tiations through Colonel Kane during his stay
in Salt Lake City. But it is well known that
Colonel Kane could effect nothing by his per-
sonal influence with Brigham Young, and that
he left Salt Lake under strong feelings of dis
appointment He nevertheless did not abandon
bis task of mediator, for again we find him at
Fort Bridger, endeavoring to bring about con-
cessions on the part Of the federal authorities
which might lead to compromise of some kind.
Now, the mission of Colonel Kane has always
been enigmatical to us. He is by some
supposed to he armed with semioficial
instructions from the President, but we
are quite sure that be bears no official
character of any kind. The only explanation
that has been offered of his interference is that
he has lived among the Mormons, is favorably
| regarded by them, and entertains the most
friendly feelings towards them. These facts,
however they may qualify him to counsel these
| misguided men for their own benefit, are not
altogether of character to render him safe
adviser, under present circumstances, to the
| federal authorities, whose course is decisiveiy
marked out by their instructions. 1t will be
fret established itself at Fort Bridger, an inv-
tation was sent to Governor Cumming to enter
| Salt Lake City unattended by military force.
That invitation was very properly declined, be-
cause Brigham Young and his followers had no
| right to dictate the manner in which the United
| States representatives should proceed. They
stood in the position of rebels, and they could
only expect to be treated with the rigorous
forms that are prescribed in such cases
From the facts stated by our correspondent IL
appears that Governor Cumming has been in
duced to reconsider the policy of his first deci-
sion solely through the persuasion of Colonel
Kane. In this he would seem to have dissented
from the opinion of his military colleague,
General Johnston, who, true to his principles
as q soldier, refused to concur in any steps that
might be looked upon as . departure from his
instructions. He even declined, it is stated to
grant the Governor q military escort, declaring
that no soldier under his command should enter
Salt Lake City unless accompanied by the whole
army. And 30 Governor Cumming, acting
under amateur advice, or on his own indepen-
dent judgment, departed on his journey. trust
ing himself to the protection of DANTE escort,
commanded by . notorious man named Porter
Rockwell, who, according to the description
which we copy from the St Louis Republican, is
capable of any crime.
| We own that we entirely agree with the view
| that has been taken by General Johnston of
this step. We cannot see any possible advan-
| tage that can arise from 1t, saving to Brigham
Young and his confederates. The object of the
latter was evidently not to comply with the
conditions Of the government, but to impress
| upon the mind Of Governor Cumming such
conviction Of their strength and unbounded in
fuence over their followers as would induce
him to modify those conditions With this OBJ
ject, as he was to arrive on the Sabbath, he
would no doubt be taken 70 the temple, where
demonstration would of course be prepared to
satisfy him Of the attachment of the Mormon
people TO their creed and 10 the persons Of their
elders This done, all that Brigham desired to
effect BY the Governors presence would be &C
| complished. That these speculations are not
devoid Of probability will be seen from the de-
claration made by Young 70 Mr.. Gilbert, that
eff the army would give the Mormons time they
would leave, but IL not he would send them 10
| hell cross lots"
What strengthens our idea that the Mormons
have determined to show fight unless they can
obtain their own terms, is the fact that they
are adopting the usual precaution Of desperate
men-of placing their women and children In
safety. Large conveys Of these have been met
on their way TO the White River Mountains, but
there were no evidences that the male adults
were soon to follow. II is the suspicious aspect
Of this movement that has probably decided
General Johnston to continue the cautious but
energetic tactics that he has previously pur-