The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-02-23

sents new and unexpected anomaly. The Nor
mons, by the establishment of hierarchy which is
at the same time ecclesiastical and social, disclaim
among themselves the political equality which is at
the base of all American institutions. Their secta-
rian doctrines might readily have been tolerated,
even the scandal of polygamy might have been en-
dured, but permanent ruling Prophet exercises a
power wholly inconsistent with the spirit and prac
tice of the Federation. The ballot-box is useless
when it is known that dozen successive elections
would end in the return eff Brigham Young with
his Apostles, Bishops, and Elders, each in his APP
pointed order. This inconsistency is denounced by
Mr.. Douglass in the Senate ulcer eating into
the heart of the Union. 1t is to remove it that
portion of the Federal army is now winterng in
the nils, within few marches of the Great Salt
Lake. 1t is not to be supposed that with all the
forces OF the Union at his command Mr.. Buchanan
will fail in his immediate object of re-establishing
his authority in Utah; but he will have created a
precedent which may embarrass his successors for
many generations. To most American statesmen it
will be new discovery that they may find within
their own borders republics which cannot be incud-
ed in the Union, and religions which it is necessary
to prosecute.
A file of newspapers from the Mormon capital
produces an impression like that which might be
suggested by the temperance of some extinct spe
cies in juxtaposition with the most familiar domes-
tic animals. Commonplace advertisements and
paragraphs of foreign intelligence placed bv the
side of addresses and sermons in which Scriptura
texts and the language of ordinary business are
mixed up after the Puritanic model of the seven
Book Of Mormon has been tacitly discarded and
the Bible seems to have taken its place as the writ
ten standard OF faith; but the Latter Day Saints
like the Puritans, exhibit marked preference for
the prophetic portions of the Old Testament. 1t is
on this model that all their appeals to public opin-
ion are framed. Sermons and speeches, and lead
ing articles universally take the form of prophecies
The fidelity of the copy is not diminished by the
constant reference to passing events; but the con-
tras between the native dialect of the speakers and
their borrowed phrases is sometimes rather start
ling. President Heber Kimball, the second digni-
tary OF the church, for example, after describing,
| IN Scrlptural terms, the dispensaton, adds
! that owe are the boys that being brought to
this test" Brigham Young himself supplies COM
ment of his own the well-known proverb, SD
oorare est orare.' "There is time" he SAYS ''for
! all things, and | a better time than now
to secure potatoes and other crops and thus do
preaching in the season thereof, and digging pota-
toes in the season thereof. And could almostwish
that our Conference could be dismissed this morn
ing, and all hands go and secure the potatoes,
| squashes, and corn" Accordingly, after a very
short address, and quitting the motion for himself
to be sustained as Prophet Seer, and Revelator,
! the President adjourns the meeting.
At the present time the revelations and prophecies
of tab naturally refer for the most part to the
threatened collision with the forces of the United
States: but the Prophet and his Apostles understand
their business too well to reveal their intentions
to pledge their credit to any definite result. The
Saints are assured in general terms that all will be
well with them and that their enemies will fail to
| overthrow the Church. If the Federal force then,
miscarries there will be visible fulfiment of the
prophecy, and as long as any Mormons are left they
may boast that in defeat and in exile they are spirit
ually metaphorically triumphant 1t seems pro-
bable that Brigham Dung will maintain bold
front until 1t becomes necessary to the troops
in the field. If an irresistible force is brought
against HIM he may not improbably lead his follow
ers in second migration The destruction of Nau-
VOC and the treacherous murder of Joseph Smith by
the citizens of Illinois have strengthened the sect
| political Rayoo6 he
Its OF the United States the Mormons may possibly
! commence a new career of prosperity. Their pre-
tensions to supernatural blessings in the present life
Will often give them preference over more modest
sects in the favor of needy and ignorant popua-
tiOns.
Two directions for their anticipated fight have
been recently suggested. The Russian dominons
on the western coast would their safety from
American pursuit, and the provincial Government
| might probably welcome body of industrious and
thriving colonists but there would be an insupera
bic difficulty in the exchange of the whips of the
| President for the scorpions of the Gar There is
no instance in which any community using the En-
glish language has submitted to foreign dominion
Russia includes large German population within
the limits OF her Empire; Austria reluctant
subjects in Italy; France has long counted Alsace
and Lorraine among her provinces; Germans, Ital-
| lans, Spaniards, Dutchmen and Frenchman live
under the British sceptre; but Russian despotism
ana EnSllsh or American individuality would be
found essentially Incompatible. A more attractive
field for new settlements is offered in the South
The Mexican Republican would be unable, or per.
maps unwilling, to refuse welcome to the fugitive
Mormons; and the United States would rejoice in
! the opportunity of converting enemies or rebels
into pioneers.
Any Anglo American settlement in the Spanish
portion OF the continent must from the first be viz
| tually independent. The 'Prophet' who has set
President Buchanan at defiance would assuredly
pay but little regard to the authority of President
Comontort. Time alone can show whether the sect
contains within itself any element of permanent vi
| tallty. The monstrous institution of poygamy is
so repugnant to European feelings that it will pro
badly be abandoned when it has lost the attraction
OF novelty. Since the disuse of Joseph Smiths
forgery the creed of the Saints has differed little
from that which has prevailed in several cnthusias
tic sects. Immediate Inspiration and daily Provi-
DENTAL intervention characteristics of new and
aggressive religious organizations. The prophecies
OF tab, may hereafter shade off by imperceptible
gfaoatlons into the chronic somnoency of inoffen
sive sermons.
The difficulty of the United States consists not in
the excision of this particular ulcer but in their
constitutional ncapacity to assmilate Heterogeneous
clements. In the theory of the Republic some at
! least OF the ordinary tendencies of mankind have
been left out OF consideration Religion and fana-
tcism in their relation to politics. habitual subord
nation and obedience to superiors, disturb where
ever they are found, the working of the system
The alarm caused by the organization of the Ro
man Catholic Church gave rise to the Native Amer,
lean party The Mormon hierarchy is even more
| incompatible with the uniformity of a democrat
ic constitution. The great Federation will easily
triumph Owe the present difficulty, and it NAV
find means for removing successive anomalies as
they become visible, but it will not pass through the
ordeas which await it without considerable change
in its own character and organization.