Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-06-23
GOV CUMMING IN UTAH.

Salt Lake City, given by Gov. Cumming, is
very interesting. He was received by the
Mormon troops, the Mayor and other dignita-
ries Of the City, at the dividing line between
Great Salt Lake and Davis Counties, and es-
cOrtcd into the city. Bontires were kindled,
and he was saluted byeyery one as the Cover
nor of Utah. He found the records of the
United States Court, the Territorial library,
and other public property, unimpaired-con-
trary to the reports that obtained extensive
circulation in the States a year or more ago,
that they had been destroyed by the Saints.
Having heard that persons, desiring to leave
the Valley, were restrained from going by
fear of violence, he gave public notice for
such to comma unicatc their names to him.
He kept his office open day and night to ac-
comuodate them, and registered, up 10 the
time of writing his letter (May 2d,) no less
than fifty-sx men, thirty-eight women, ard
seyenty-one children, ,as desirous of protection
and assistance in proceeding to the States.
The large majority of these people are of
English birth, and state that they leave the
congregation from desire to improve their
circumstances, and realize elsewhere more
money by their labor. Certain leading men
among the Morncns have promised them flour,
and to assist them in leaving the country.
Gov. Cumming attended a meeting at the
Tabernacle, and his account of the proceed
ings is so interesting that we give it entire
NY presence at the meeting in the Tabcrna-
Gle will be remembered by me an occasion of
intense interest. B:tween three and four
thousand persons were assembled for the pur-
pose of public worship; the hall was crowded
to overfiowing, but the most profound quiet
observed when l appeared. President
Brigham Young introduced me by name
the Governor Of Utah, and | addressed the
audience from ssthe staud.'' | informed them
that had come among them to vindicate the
national sovereignty; that it was my duty to
secure the supremacy of the Constitution and
the laws that l had taken my oath of office
to exact an unconditional submission on their
part to the dictates of the law / was not in
terruptcd. In discourse of about thirty
minutes duration, | touched Gas l thought
best) boldly upon all the leading questions at
issue between them and the General Govern
ment. / remembered that had to deal with
men embittered by the remembrance and re-
cital of many real and imaginary wrongs, but
did not think it wise to withhold from them
the entire truth. They listened respectfully to
all that had to say-approvingly even, fan
cicd when explained TO them what | inten-
ded should he the character of my administra-
tion. In fact the whole manner Of the people
was calm, betokening no consciousness of hay
ing done wrong, but rather, rs it Were, indi-
eating conviction that they had done their
duty to their religion and TO their country.
| have observed that the Mormons profess to
view the Constitution as tie work OF inspired
men, and respond with readiness to appeals
for its support.
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 on topics of
interest to the community. This invitation
brought forth, in succession, several speakers,
who evidently exercised great influence over
the masses of the people. They harangued
on the subject of the assassination of Joseph
Smith, Jr., and his friends; the services rem
dered by Mormon battalion to an ungrateful
country; their suffering on ssthc plains'' dur
ing their dreary pilgrimage TO their mountain
home, &c. The congregation became greatly
excited, and joined the speakers in their in
temperate remarks, exhibiting more frenzy
than | had expected TO witness among peo-
pie who habitually exercise great sclt-control.
speaker now represented the federal gov
crnment desirous of needlcssly introducing
the national troops into the Territory, .'wheth-
cr 4 necessity existed for their employment to
support the authority of the civil officers or
not % and the widest uproar ensued. | was
fully confirmed in the opinion that this people,
with their extraordinary religion and customs,
would gladly encounter certain death rather
than be taxed with a submission to the militia
ry power which they considered to involve !
loss of honor.
In my first address had Informed them that
they were entitled TO trial by their peers !;
that had no intention of stationing the army
in immediate contact with their settlements.
and that the military possee would not be re-
sorted to until further means of arrest had
been tried and failed. l found the greatest
difficulty in explaining these points, so great
was the excitement. Eventually, however, the
efforts Of Brigham Young were successful in
calming the tumult and restoring order, be-
fore the adjournment of the meeting. 1t is
proper that l should add that more than one
speaker has since expressed his regret at hay
ing been betrayed into intemperancc of lam
guige in my presence.
While Gov. Cumming congratulatcs the A
mcrcan people the auspicious turn of e.
vents, he announces fact which will occasion
grave concern, and says:
The people, including the inhabitants of this
city, are moving from every settlement in the
northern part of the Territory. The roads are
every where filed with wagons, loaded with
provisions and household furniture, the women
and children often without shoes or hats, driv-
I'M their iocks they know not where. They
seem not only resigned but cheerful. alt is
the lciH Of the Lord" and they rejoice TO ex-
change the comforts of home for the trials of
the wilderness. Their ultimate destination is
not, apprehcnd, ultimately fixed upon. go
ing south" seems sufficiently definite for mos:
of them, but many believe that their ultimate
destination is in Sonora.
Young, Kimball, and most of the influential
men, have left their commodious mansions
without apparent regret, to lengthen the long
train of wanderers. The masses everywhere
announce to me that the torch win be applied
to every house, indiscriminately, throughout
the country, soon as the troops attempt to
cross the mountains. l shall follow these peo-
pie and endeavor to rally them. Numbers
whom | met appear to be in dread of the Ind-
ans, whom the distressed condition of the
whites has encouraged to commit extensive
depredations. | may at least quiet the appre-
tensions of these persons, and induce some of