The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-06-18

i listened respectfully 10 all that had to say
approvingly even, lancied-when explained
/ to them what / intended should be the .charac-
ter Of my administration. In fact, the whole
manner of the people was calm, betokening no
consciousness Of having done wrong, but rather,
as II were indicating a conviction that they
! had done their duty to their religion and 10
their country. I have observed that the Nor
mons profess to view the copstituion as the
work Of inspired men, and respond with readi-
ness to appeals for It's support.
Thus the meeting might have ended. But,
| after closing my remarks, rose and stated hat
/ would be glad to hear from any who might
! be inclined to address me upon topics Of interest
TO the community. This invitation brought
! forth in succession several powerful speakers,
who evidently exercised great influence over
| The masses Of the people Fhey harangued on
the subject of the assassination Of Joseph Smith,
! r., and his friends the services rendered by the
! Mormon battalion to an ungrateiul country
! their suiferings on ssthe plains" during their
/ dreary pilgrimage 10 their mountain home, &c.
/ The congregation became greatly excited, and
! Joined the speakers in their incorporate remarks
/ exhibiting more phreuzy than had expected 10
/ witness among people who habitualiy exercise
sel-control. 4 speaker now represented the
/ federal government as deslrous Of needlessy
/ Introducing the national troops into the Terrific
! ry, ''whelher a Necessity existed for their
! employment 10 support the authority Of the
! civil officers or not - and the widest uproar
cnsued. | was fully confirmed in the opinion
that this people, with their extraordinary reli-
gion and customs, would gladly encounter
certain death rather than be faxed with sub
mission TO the military power, which they con-
sidercd TO involve loss OF honor.
| In my FIRST address had informed them that
they were entitled to a trial by their peers that
! | had no intention oil statouug the army in
/ immediate contact with their settlements aud
/ that the military posse would not be resorted 10
until other means Of arrest had been tried and
/ failed. | found the greatest difficulty in ex-
! planning these points, SO great was the excite
ment. Eventually, however, the efforts Of
| Brigham Young were successful in calming the
/ tumuIt and restoring order before the adjourn
ment OF the meeting. II is proper that ]
/ should add that more than one speaker has since
expressed bis regret at having been BETRAYED
/ into ntemperance Of language in my presence
The President and the American people will
1 learn with qualification the auspicious issue Of
our difficulties here. | regret the necessity
which compe!s ne to mingle with ny congratu-
lations the announcement Of fact which viii
| occasion grave concern.
! The people, including the inhabitants of this
| city, are moving from every settlement in the
! northern part Of the Territory. The roads
| are everywhere filled with wagons loaded with
/ provisions and household furniture, the women
and children, often ithout shoes or bats, dri-
wing their aocks they know not where They
/ seem not only resigned, bat cheerful. ssIt is
! the wW Of tie Lord ''and they rejoice to ex-
change the comforts Of home for the trials Of
the wilderness. Their ultimate destination is
no., | apprehend, definitely fixed upon .sGo-
ing south" seems sufficiently definite for most of
them, but many believe that their ultimate
destination is Sonora.
Young, KimbaIl, and most Of the influential
men have left their CommodiouS mansions, with
out apparent regret. TO Iengthen the long train
Of wanderers. The masses everywhere an
nounce to me that the torch will be applied 10
to every house, indiscriminatelv, throughout
the country, 50 soon as the troops attempt TO
cross the mountains. | shall follow these peo-
pie, and endeavor 10 rally them. Numbers
whom have met appear TO be 10 dread Of the
Indians, whom the distressed condition Of the
whites has encouraged to commit extensive de-
predations. ! may at least quiet The appre-
| tensions Of these persons, and induce some Of
them to return.
Our military force could 'overwhelm most Of
these poor people, involving men women, and
children, in a common fate but there are a.
mong the MormonS many brave men, accustom-
ed 10 arms and horses men who would fight
desperately as guerriIlas, aui, If the settlements
are destroyed, will subject the country 10 an
expensive and proracted war, without anv
comPensatinE results. They Will, I am sure,
submit to friai by their peers, but they will not
brook the idea oftrals by "iuries composed Of
| teamsters aud followers of the camp nor OF
an army encamped in their cHieS or dense settle
ments.
have adopted means 10 recall The few re-
naming M9rmons IN arms who have not vet
it IS said, complied with my request to with
draw from the canons and the eastern frontier.
| have also taken measures to protect the build
! Ings which have been vacated in the northern
settlements. l am sanguine that | will save a
great part Of the valuable improvements there.
shall leave this city for the south tomorrow.
After have finished my business there, | shall
return as soon as possible TO the army, 10 com
pIete the arrangements which viii enable me
before long, | trust, 10 announce that the road
between California and Missouri NAV BE- travel
led with perfect security by teams and emf
grants Of every description.
/ shall restrain all operations Of the military
for the present, which will probably enable me
| TO receive from the President additional nslruc-
tions, if he deems !! necessary to give them.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. CUMMING, Governor Of Utah.
Hon. LEWIS CAss, Secretary of State, Washing
ton City, D. c.