Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-10-28
GrumbIInr nmong the NIormons.

TheNeE York Journal of Commerce copies aportion
Of an article from the Desert Nss0s, which, it says
it is not at all amisble towards the government Of
the United States or the settlers who have recently
gone 10 Utah Complaints are made that fair
hearing is not given to the people Of Utah; that the
treatment of the people Of that Territory has not
been such as has been accorded 10 the other Terri
tories; and that with them, accusation, condemna-
ton, invasion and determination, else quiet, unr
complaining slavish submission to outrage and
wrong" have been the alternatives imposed.
The Nsu0s seems TO rest its case on that provision
of the Constitution which, it says, " has denied to
all departments ministerial judicial legislative,
the right to ntefsre with the religious sentiments,
however peculiar, of all citizens" 'TO them," the
citizens, it proceeds to say is committed by the
peoples sanction the control of the general tempo
raj interests of the nation To the Almighty alone,
is reserved the sceptre of conscience This is all
very fine talk but it should be understood that the
Government has not interfered with the principle
laid down by the Nsws 1t is not on account Of the
"relgious views, however peculiar" Of the people
Of Utah, that the military expedition was sent to
that Territory. Nobody disputes the right Of the
PEOPLE of Utah to hold or express peculiar" views
on religious topics but what the Government object
ed to- was the attempt to defy it's authority, to resist
its DEGREES to obstruct the administration Of justice
and to separate themselves, far possible, from
sIl connection with the General Government.
We have all along urged the importance Of keep
ing the movement against Utah, free from even the
suspicion of beinga crusade against MOrmonism.
While the Government proceeded properly in this
respect, the feeling among the people against Nor
monism led them speak and talk Of the expedition
as one intended to crush OUT atabsurd doctrine;
and it is not improbable that there were those with
the army, and accompanying it, who entered Utah
IMPRESSED with such spirit. 1t suits the people Of
Utah thus to characterize the movement and they
upon every preleK to convey the impression to their
own citizens, and those of other parts of the coun
try that they are the subjects Of oppression on &C
count of their religion. But sensible men in Utah
must soon come TO understand the question, and
discreet administration of affairs by the United
States officers civil and military will greatly has
ten this correction of public sentiment there, and
dsuel the Illusion prevailing throughout the Terri
tory.
The Neus talks largely about investigation, de-
msnds an inquiry into the conduct of the people of
Utah and asks for the verdict Of the American pub
lie upon the question at issue. We quote:
PeopIe of the United States, we are your fellow
citizens and claim with you fair play in the nation
Al arena We are not so guilty that We 'choose
darkness rather than Light" or shun close eXami
nation of ell the charges brought against us. we
eovet investigation. We have sought 1t for years
What apoloRy hss ever been offered for its refusal
What exeuse can be made nov? 1t is very late, to
Al how ri
ovsrAown The silver cord, though haply on its ex-
IRENE tension is not yet broken. There are fair
reasons to set aside the verdict already pronounced
and give us an impartial trial
The calm ouietude that for eleven years had per-
vsded our mountain home and made the wilderness
a psradjse. has at length yielded the ground for
awhile to the more accept lble rantugs of civiliZa
tian. and fair opportu ,ity is now offered to con-
trast the barbsrty of Utsh in its secluded gentle
ness with the fashionable reVelings Of her morali
zeTs.
ical terror prevents the opportunity for an impair
tisl investigation. proudly Occoutred garrison
presents the brazen arguments Of its artillery in de-
fence of an appointed committee. Two thousand
bayonets protect the evidence; while four gallant
squa irons are ready to the Territory in search
of the fearful testimony
In calm submission to the ungOdiy dissertation Of
our peaceful homes in the desert, We dems I'D and
await the investigation to follow, which should have
preceded our condemnation.
We do not thrust away nor scorn the pardon Of our
Chief Executive. We accept the amnesty, but de-
nv the guilt We are at peace, good, honest, heart
felt peace with the nation but is it just that rep
utaiion should unscrupulously be buried with the
Ratchet?
We deny the charges collectively and singly upon
which the crusades against US have been grounded
We acknowledge not a single act or thought that |
was trescherous to the sacred principles OF Ameri-
can liberty.
1t was happy thought, while denying the guilt, |
to accept the pardon. Had these men decided to |
"thrust away or scOrn the pardon of our Chief EE>
sOutive," they would now be in frame Of mind |
quite different from that in which the article in the
NsDs was written. But, the pardon secured, it is
easy to deny the guilt and put an air of injured
innocence. Our advice to these misguided people,
for whose rights we have always contended, is to
adapt themselves as speedily possible to the ne
,essiy aud duties of citizenship, and obedience to
he laws Of the country Thereby their own hsppi'
less and the public interests will be promoted.
Late advces from Cuba state that a concession for
he admission Of $4,000 coolies into the island has
ust been granted by the government.