The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-16

SASiS hoo UCCii, l. SlOulu nave lelG S6fl
Gus embarrassment in selecting them
so great was the number of our brave
and patriotic citizens anxious to serve
their country in the distant and appa
rently dangerous expedition. Thus il
has been, and thus may it ever be.
The wisdom and economy of send
ing sufficient reinforcements to Utal
are established not only by the event
but in the opinion of those who, from
their position and opportunities, ar,
most capable of forming a correct judg
-ment. Gen. Johnston, the commando
of the forces, in addressing the Secre
tary of War from Fort Bridger, under
date of October 1s, 1857, expresses the
opinion that sunless large force i.
sent there, from the nature Of the coun
try, protracted war on their (the Nor.
monsN part is inevitable" This he
considered necessary, to terminate the
war speedily and more economically
thanif attempted by insufficient means
In the meantime it was my anxious
desire that the Morlnons should yield
obedience to the constitution and the
laws, without rendering it necessary to
yield to military force. To aid in ac
complishing this object, / deemed i,
advisable in April last to dispatch two
distinguished citizens of the United
States, Messrs. Powell and McCulloch,
to Utah. They bore with them a proc.
lamation addressed by myself to the
inhabitants of Utah, dated on the sixth
day of that month, warning them OF
their true condition, and how hopeless
it was on their part to persist in rebel
lion against the United States, and
offering all those who would submit to
the laws free pardon for their past
seditions and treasons. At the same
time, / assured those that persisted in
rebellion against the United States,
that they must expect no further lenity,
but look to be vigorously dealt with ac-
cording to their deserts. The instruc-
tions to these agents, as well as a copy
of the proclamation, and their reports,
are herewith transmitted. 1t will be
seen by their report of the Sd of July
last, that they have fully confirmed the
opinion expressed by Gen. Johnston in
the previous October, as to the neces-
sity of sending reinforcements to Utah.
In this they state that they " are firmly
with the belief that the pre-
sence of the army here, and the large
additional force that had been ordered
to this Territory, were the chief in
ducements that caused the Mormons to
abandon the idea of resisting the au-
thority of the United States. A less
decisive policy would probably have
resulted in long, bloody and expen-
sive war;"
These gentlemen conducted them
selves to my entire satisfaction, and
rendered useful service in executing
the humane intentions of the govern
ment.
1t also affords me great satisfaction
to state, that Gov. Cumming has per-
formed his duty in an able and concili-
atory manner, and with the happiest
effect. l cannot in this connection,
refrain from mentioning the valuable
services of Col. Thomas L. Kane, who,
from motives of pure benevolence, and
without any official character of pecu-
mary compensation, visited Utah du-
ring the last inclement winter, for the
purpose of contributing to the pacifi-
cation of the Territory.
l am happy to inform you that the
Governor and other civil officers of
Utah, are now performing their appro-
pirate functions without resistance.
The authority of the constitution and
the laws has been fully restored, and
peaceprevails throughout the Territory.
A portion of the troops sent to Utah,
are now encamped in Cedar Valley,
forty-four miles southwest of Salt Lake
City, and the remainder have been
to Oregon to suppress Indian
hostilities.
The march Of the army to Salt Lake
City through the Indian Territory, has
had a powerful effect in restraining the
hostile feelings against the United
States, which existed among the In
dians in that region, and in securing
emigrants to the Far West against
their depredations. This will also be
the means of establishing military posts
and promoting settlements along the
route.
recommend that the benefits of
our land laws and pre-emption system
be extended to the people of Utah, by
the establishment of land Office in that
Territory.
/ have occasion, also, to congratulate
YOU on the result of our negotiations
with China.
You were informed, by my last an
nual message, that our Minister had
been instructed to occupy a neutral
position in the hostilities conducted by
Great Britain and France against Can
ton. He was, however, at the same
time directed to cooperate cordially
with the British and French ministers,
in all peaceful measures to secure by
treaty those just concessions to foreign
commerce, which the nations of the
world had right to demand. 1t was
for Inc to proceed further
than this on my own authority, without
asurping the war making power, which,
under the constitution, belongs exclu.
sively to Congress.
Besides, after a careful examination of the
nature and extent of our grievances, l did not be-
lieve they were of such pressing and aggravated
character as would have justified Congress in de-
claring war against the Chinese Empire, without
first making another earnest attempt to adjust
fborn hr r,oacefal nanofiafion was the more in