The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-01-19

be to us; we look for the United States to
endeavor to swallow Us up, and we are pre-
pared for the contest, If they wish to FORE
60 the constitution in their insane efforts
to crush out all human rights, But the
we have not wasted our time in consider
ing rightly, deeming it more particularly
their business to figure out and arrive at
the amount of 30 immense sum. It is
now the kingdom Of God and the kingdom
Of the devil. If God is for us, We will
prosper; but if he is for you and against
us, you will prosper, nnd we will say,
"Amen! let the Lord be God, and Him
alone we will serve"
AS to your obeying "ordcrs," my official
council to you would be for you to stop and
reflect until you know wherein are the Just
and the right, and then, David Crockett
like, go ahead. But if you undertake to
come in here and build forts. rest assured
that you will be opposed, and that you will
need all the force now under your COM
mand and much more. And in regard to
your warning, have to inform you that
my head has been sought during many
years past, not for any crime on my part,
or for so much as even the wish to commit
a crime, but solely for my religious liberty.
Inasmuch as You consider your force am
ply sufficient to enable you TO como to this
city, why have you SO unwisely da'licd so
long on Hams Fork at this late season of
the year2
carrying out the views of the govern
ment," as those views are now developing
themselves, can but result in the utter O.
verthrow of that Union which we, in COM
mon with all American patriots, have striv-
en- to sustain; and as to our "failure" in
our present efforts to uphold rights justly
guaranteed TO all citizens of the United
States, that can be better told hereafter.
presume that the 'spiril" AMI tenor Of
my reply to your letter will be unsatisfac-
tory TO yon, for doubtless, you are not
aware of the nature and object of the ser
vice in which you are now engaged. For
your better information, permit me TO in
form you that we have humber of times
been compelled to receive and submit to
the most fendish proposals made to us by
armies virtually belonging to the United
States, our only alternative being to com.
ply Herewith. At the last treaty, forced
upon us by our enemies, in which we W re
required to leave the United States, and
with which we as hitherto complied, two
United States Senators were present, and
pledged themselves, 80 far as their influence
might reach, that We should be no moro
pursued by her citizens. That pledge has
been broken by our enemies, as they have
ever done when this people was party;
and we have thus always proved that it is
in vain for us to seek or expect protection
from the officials Of the administrators Of
onr government. 1t is obvious that war
upon the saints is all the time determined
and now we for the first time possess the
power 10 have voice in the treatment
that We will receive, and we intend to use
that power so far as the constitution and
justice may warrant, which is all We ask
for. True, in struggling to sustain the
constitution and constitutional rights belon-
ging to every citizen Of our republic, we
have no arm nor powerto trust in but those
Of Jehovah, and the strength and ability
that he gives lis.
By virtue Of my office as Governor Of the
Territory of Utah, command you to mar
shall your troops and leave this Territory,
for it can be Of no possible benefit to you
to waste treasures and blood in prosecuting
your course upon the side Of rebellion
against the general government by its ad.
ministrators. You have had, and still have,
plenty of time to retire within the reach Of |
supplies at the cast or to go to Fort Hall.
Should you conclude to comply with so
just a command, and need any assistance
to 60 cast, such assistance will be promptly |
and cheerfully extended. We do not wish |
to destroy the life of any human being,
but, on the contrary, we ardently desire
to preserve tn. lives and liberty Of all, SO
far as it may be in our power.
Colonel, should you or any of the off,
GERS with you wish to visit this city, unac-
companied by troops, as did Capt. Van
Vliet, with view to personally learn tho
condition and feelings Of this people, you
arc at liberty to do so, under my cheerful
ly proffered assurance that you will he es-
corted from our outposts to this city and
back; and that, during your stay in our
midst, you will receive all that courtesy and
attention your rank demands.
Doubtless you have supposed that many
Of the people here would flee to you for
protection on your arrival; and if there
are any such persons they shall be at once
conveyed to your camp in perfect safety rs
soon as such fact can be known.
Were you and your fellow Officers as well
acquainted with your men as I am with
mine, and did they understand the work
they are now engaged in as well as you
may understand it, you must know that
many of them would Immediately revolt
from all conncxion with so ungodly, lille
gal, unconstitutional, and hcllish a crusade
against an innocent people; and il their
blood is shed it shall rest upon the heads
of their commanders.
With us it is the Kingdom Of God or
nothing.
/ have the honor to be your obedient
servant, BRIoHAM YOU'VE,
Governor and Sup't Of Indian Affairs, Of
u. T..
E. B. Alexander, Col. Tenth Infantry,
U. s. A., Commanding. ..s'tf''