Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-06-15
THE PRESIDENTS urAH PROCLAMATION
PROCLAMATION.

The following is copy of the Proclamation
prepared BY the President, to be issued in Utah
Territory;
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, the Territory Of Utah was ss,,isd
by certain emigra nts from the States and from
foreiga countries, who nave for several yesrs
past manifested a spirit Of insa5oTdustion to
the Constitution and laws Of the United States
The great mass Of those settlers, setiEg under
the influence Of leaders to whom they seem to
have surrendered their Judgment, refuse 10 be
controlled by any other authority. They have
been often advised to obedience, and these
friendly couBsels have been answered with de-
fsnce. 0licers Of the federal Government
have been driven from tie Territory for no 9TH
er offense but an effort to do their sworn duty.
Others have been prevented from going there
by threats Of assassination. Judges have
been violently interrupted 10 the performance
of their functions, and the records Of the courts
have been seized and either destroyed or con
cealed,- Many other acts Of unlawful violence
have been perpetrsted, and the right to repeat
them has been openly claimed BY the leading
| inhabitants, with at least the silent acauies-
csnce Of nearly all TIE others. Their hostility
to the lawful government Of the country has at
length become 90 violent that no officer bearing
/ a commission from the Chief Magistrate Of the
l Union can enter the Territory or remain there
with safety and all the officers recently sp-
/ pointed have been unable to 60 10 Salt Lake, OF
anywhere else In Utah beyond the immediate
/ power Of the army. Indeed, such is believed
/ to be the condition to which a strange system
Of terrorism has brought the inhabitants Of
/ that region, that no enc amOng them could ex-
I press an opinion favorable to this Government,
I or even propose 10 obey its laws, without eX-
posing his life and property to peril
After carefully Considering this state Of af-
fairs, and maturely weighing the obligations
was under to see the laws faithfully executed,
it seemed to me right and proper that should
make such use Of the military force at my dis
posal as might be necessary TO protect the Fed
ersl officers in going into the Territory OF Utah,
and 10 performing their duties after arriving
there. accordingly ordered detachment OF
the army to march Cd the City of Salt Lake, or
within reach Of that place, and to act in case
Of need as a posse for the enforcement of the
laws. But, in the meantime, the hatred of the
misguided people for the Just and legal author
ity Of the Government had become 90 intense
that they resolved to measure their military
strength with that Of the Union. They have
organized an armed force, far from contenpti-
Bile in point Of members, and trained, If moi
with skill, at least with great sssiduty anC
perseverance. While the troops Of the United
States were on their march, train Of baggsgs
wagons, which happened to be unprotected
Mormon forces, and the provisions and storei
with which the train was laden were wantonlJ
burnt. In short, = ir present attitude is on'
of decided and unreserved enmity to the Unite'
States and to all theiE loyal citizens Thei
determination to oppose the authority Of th
, Government BY military force has not onl,
been expressed in words, but manifested II
overt acts Of the most unequivoeal character
FeIlow-citizens Of Utah, this Is rebellion
sgaipet the Government to which you owe al
Isgisnee. It is levying war against the Unite
Sd stes, and involves you In the guilt OF rea
son. Persistence in il viii bring you to con
dign punishment, to ruin, and to shame Tor
is mere madness to suppose that, Win you
limited resources, you can successfully tesis
: the force of this great and powerful nation
, II you have calculated upon the forbearane
I of the United States-f you have perr1itte
/ yourselves to suppose that this Government
will fail to put forth its strength and bring yo
10 snbmission-you have fallen into gTav
) mistske. You have settled upon teTTitor
: which lies geogrsp phieslly in the heart OF ID
: Union The land you live upon was purchase
|. / oy the United States and paid for out Of thei
J, treasury. 1t is absurd to believe that they wi
;, or can permit you TO erect In their very mids
government Of your own, not only indepen
= dent OF the authority which they all scknow
u edge, but hostile TO them and their interests
ie Do no. deceive yourselves or try 10 misIea
! others BY propsgsting the idea that this is
q crusade against your religion. The constitV
ht tion and laws Of this country can take no u
a tice Of your creed, whether Il be true or fais
p This is question between your God ard you
selves, II which disclaim all right to interfere