The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-24
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.

OF the law. i Was moi Mteffupttu. In
discourse Of about thirty minutes duration,
touched las thought best) boldly upon
all the leading questions at issue between
them and the general government. | re-
membered that l had to deal with men cm.
FILTERED by the remembrance and recital Of
many real and some imaginary wrongs,
but did not think il wise to Withhold from
them the entire truth. They listened respect
fully TO all that had TO say-approying
even, fancied-when explained to them
what intended should be the character
of my administration. In fact the whole
manner OF the people was calm. betOkening
no consciousness OF having done wrong, but
rather, as it were, indicated conviction
that they had done their duty Ia their relig.
ion and 10 their country. have observed
/ that the MormOns profess to view the Con
stitulion as the work Of inspired men, and
respond with readiness to appeals for its sup,
port.
/ Thus the meeting might have ended. But
after closing my remarks, rose and stated
that would be glad to hear from any who
might be inclined to address me upon topics
OF interest to the community. This invita-.
ton brought forth, in succession, several
powerful speakers who evidently exercised
great influence over the masses OF the people
They harangued on the subject of the us.
sassinaton Of Joseph Smith, junior, and his
friends the services rendered by the Nor
mon battalion TO an ungrateful country !;
their suileriagS on " the plains during their
dreary pilgrimage 10 their mountain home,
&c. The congregation became very much
excited, and joined the speakers in their in
temp1rate remarks, exhibiting more frenzy
than ! had expected to witness among
people who habitually exercise great selEcon-
troll. A speaker now represented the feder-
al government as DESTROYS Of needlcssly in
Producing the national troops into the Terri.
tory, whether a necessity existed for their
employment to support The authority of the
civil officers or no, y and the widest uproar
ensued. was fully confirmed in the opinion
that this people, with their extraordinary
religion and customs, would gladly encoun-
ter certain death, rather than be taxed with
submission to the military power, which
they consider to involves loss of honor.
Ia my first address informed them that
they were entitled to trial by their peers ;
that | had no intention OF stationng the
army in immediate contact with their set.
Elements, aud that the military posse would
not be resorted to until other means of ar.
rest had been tried and failed. | found the
greatest difficulty in explaining these points
SO great was the excitement. Eventually
however, the efforts of Brigham Young were
successful i'll calming the tumult and r,stor
Ing order before the adjournment of the
meeting. 1t ia proper that | should add
hat more than one speaker has since ex.
pressed his regret n having been betrayed
into in'emperance Of language in my pres
cnce.
The Presiden and the American people
will learn with qualification the auspicious
issue Of our difficulties here. | regret the
necessity which compels me TO mingle with
my congratulations the announcement Of a
fact which will occasion grave concern.
The people, including the inhabitants Of
this city, are removing from every settle.
ment in the northern part of the Territory.
The roads are everywhere filled with wagons
loaded with provisions and household iurni-
ture, the women and children, often without
shoes or hats driving their i'ocks they know
not where. They seem not only resigned
but cheerful. 1T is ME pH Of the Lord,"
and they rejoice to exchange the comforts Of
home for the trials Of the wilderness Their
ultimate destination is not, apprebcnd, de-
fnitely fixed upon. Going south seems
sufficiently definite for most Of them. but
many believe tina their ultimate destination
Is Sonora.
Young, Kimbai and mos, Of the iniluen.
tial men, have left their commodious man
sions without apparenf regret, 10 lengthen
the long train Of wanderers. The masses
everywhere announce 10 me tba' the torch
will be applied to every house, indi8crmi-
na'eIy, throughout the country, 20 soon as
the troops shall attempt 20 cross he noun.
'ains | shall follow these people ard en-
deayor TO rally them. Numbers whom !
have met appear - be in dread Of he In
dians, whom he distressed CONDITION OF The
whites has encouraged 10 commit ex 'ensive
deprodatioD. | may a least que the APP
prehcnslons Of theso persons and induce
some Of hem - return.
Our military force could oyerwheIm mo-,
d these poor people, involving mon, woinen
and children, 10 a common 'aie bur there
are among he Mormons many brave mon.
accu. md % arms and horse. men who
would fight desperately as guerIIas, and, il
the set, .emeu. are des roytj will subject
tie country 70 a pro,racted war, without
any eompensating results. They will, am
sure, submit. 70 '7ai bg their peer, bat they
will not brook The id'a Of trials Ny "juries
composed Of team. ~ aud followers Of the
camp nor Of an army crcampcd in heir
eties or dense settlement.
have adopted nears 20 recall be Few 20
naming Mormon. % arms Who have not
- it L said, compiled viii ny request 20
withdraw from he cau0ns aud ihe eastern
frontier ! have slso taken measures 20
prJ,ec be buildings which have been va
ca.ad in he northern aettleme... am
sangaine la will save great pax Ol be
y.llab,e improvements here.
Z Ill 49,. . 90