The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-13

1918 Is
Recent letters from the Valley of the Salt Lake,
disclose singular condition of affairs in that
Territory. There is peace in Mormondom, but
there is no friendship between the Latter Day
Saints and the Gentiles. Although the Nor
mons remain quiet, and apparently submissive, 1t
is nevertheless evident, that they regard the Fed
eral authorities as interlopers, and would speedily
rid themselves of their presence, if a favorable
opportunity presented itself. BRIGHAM YOUNG
secudes himself from the vulgar gaze, and OXIDES
his time" HEBER G. KIMBALL no longer dis
courses treason and blasphemy to the multitude
but busies himself mainly, with household affairs
taking, occasionally, an opportunity to inculcate
upon his afflicted brethren the saving virtue of
} patience. General JoHNsToN's command have
gone into winter quarters at Cedar Valley, and so
long as the troops remain within striking distance
of Salt Lake City, Governor CUNNING will be
permitted to perform his pro-consular duties
without meeting with any serious trouble
The Gentiles are, however indebted TO the Nor
mons for one act of courtesy which, from its
novelty, has attracted particular attention. They
have been permitted to attend, on special occa-
sion, the Third Annual Fair of the Deseret Agri-
cultural and Manufacturing Association. They
were even invited to partake of collation.. The
exposition Of articles of Domestic manufacture
was, by al accounts, creditable to Mormon indus
try There were CoLT's rifles and pistols made
at the armory Of the Church Handsome looking
weapons, but fabricated from iron of an inferior
quality. There were edge-tools of various kinds
cut nails wooden ware, carpeting, and samples
of Domestic cloth, Of hannels, linens embroider-
les, and laces-all of which were of superior ex-
cellence This is certainly remarkable exhibit
for the people of Territory which, twelve years
ago. formed portion of the primitive wilder
ness in the heart of the Great American Desert.
1t indicates thrift and ingenuity, and a successful
contest with difficulties of no common order
Bad as we believe the Mormons to be- and vicious
as their doctrines certainly are, they have scarcely
received the credit they deserve for the energy and
skill they have displayed in their agricultural and
mechanical operations-in constructing within SO
short space of time public buildings and dwell
ing houses for fifty thousand people-in opening
roads, establishing ferries, converting wild lands
into cultivated fields, and providing, not only a
sufciency of food for this large number of inhabi-
tants, but surrounding themselves, unaided by
extraneous assistance, with many of the comforts,
and not few Of the luxuries of life. They
have shown themselves emphatcally a selfde-
pendent people, and were it not for the abomi-
nable nature of the doctrines they profess, and
their fanatcal devotion to a coarse and I'M
scrupulous hierarchy, they might justly have
claimed no small measure of praise for the many
proofs they have given of their unwearied indus
try and Of their mechanical skill. But the moral
corruption of this strange people stains their
material success; while the habits they have
formed and the institutions they cherish. must
for ever isolate them from their brethren in the
States. They feel themselves to be, virtually,
outlaws, and this consciousness of their true con-
dtion, and of the loathing with which their pecu-
liar sectarian principles are everywhere regarded,
has provoked in them that spirit of antagonism
which defes not only popular censure, but
would still, if it dared, evince itself
in open rebellion against the authority of
the Federal Government. At the present time
they are overawed. But though they have sue
cumbed temporarily to n superior force, it is mani
fest enough that they are not subdued. They have
recognized Colonel CUNNING as their Governor,
but they conform to the will of BRIGHAM YOUNG.
,
because it was proclaimed that their submission
to their newly appointed ruler would carry with
1t free pardon for all previous offences. They
accepted the amnesty, but they continued to hate
those by whom it was rendered. Not to do so would
be Anti-Mormon. An influx of emgrants from
the States into Salt Lake Valley would be the
prelude 10 the extinction of Mormonism. A
polygamous community if it exists at all, must
exist separate and distinct from all other commu-
mites. The Mormons know this, and whether the
introduction of poygamy into their creed was a
thoroughly considered master-stroke of policy on
the part of the Mormon priesthood, or whether
it had its orig gin simply in procvity fol-
gross sensuaty, the result of its adoption
has been to strengthen and consolidate the
Mormon Church, by flinging around its members
complicated network of social difficulties, from
which it is impossible for them to escape. But,
though they chafe under Federal rule, they re-
strain all open expression of annoyance and anger
BRIGHAM YOUNG counses them to keep quiet and
to appear submissive, and they yield obedience to
his dictates; but they will not fraternse with the
Gentiles. They are content for brief season, to
"eke out the Lions hide with the Fox's skin !"
Were the army removed, we should have fresh
reports of treason in Utah. If the army remains,
the Mormons will seek another tStake in Zion -
Already they are becoming weary of the surveil-
lance, and are arranging their plans for exodus
to the Southwark in the spring. Perhaps to the
Wind river Mountains. Perhaps, and most prob
ably, beyond the boundaries of the UNITED STATES
The heads of the Mormon Church have recently
held their usual sem-annual Conference, at the
Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. The session was a
secret one, but-athough nothing is said to beposi-
lively known with regard to their proceedings
it has been plausibly surmised that the discus.
sions covered the project of general removal
to parts unknown. Many circumstances are
alleged to give credence to this opinion, the chief
among which is, that the Mormons have RETAINED
from seeding their usual crops. If they determine
TO quit the Territory, the Government has Ger
tainly no power, and we question very much il
1t has the inclination, 10 detain them. These Nor
mon troubles have already proved far more ex-
pensive than their solution has been satisfactory;
and, with the possibility of fresh feuds arising,
and a renewal of the old difficulties, their retire
ment beyond the limits of the UNITED STATES
would be very generally regarded as blessing,
rather than as grievance f.f