Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-01

IOuuO accompany nS communication.
which ! shall address to the Secretary of
War, upon this subject
On the morning OF the "a inst, informa-
tion was communicated to me that a num-
ber of persons who were deSirous Of leaving
the Territory were unable to do so, an
considered themselves to be unlawful y re-
strsined Of their liberty However de>irous
OF conciliating pub 'ic opinion, felt 1t in
cumbent upon me to adopt the most en-
ergetc measures to ascertain the truth or
fasehood OF this statement. Posiponing,
therefore, journey of Importance which l
had in conte plation to one of the settle
menls of Utah county, caused public no.
tice to be given Immediately of my readi-
ness to relev all persons who were. or
deemed themselves to be, aggreived, and
on tie ensuing day, which was Sunday, re-
quested the following notice to be read, in
my presence, to the people at the Taber-
nacle:
"NoTICE.
at has been reported to me tina. there
are persons residing in this and in other
parts OF the Territory who are legally re-
strained of their liberty. 1t is therefore
proper that should announce that | assume
the protection of all such persons, if anv
there be, and request that they will COM
municate to me their names and places OF
residence, under seal, through Mr.. Fay
Worihen, and to me in person, during my
stay in the city. A. CUNNING,
"Governo' Utah Territory"
| have since kept my office open at all
hours of the day and night, and have reg
istered no less than Sc men, 80 women ,and
II children, as desirous OF my protect ion
and assist ance in proceeding to the free
States, The large majority of these people
are of English birth, and state that they
leave the congregation from desire to i'm
prove their circumstances, and realize else
where more money by their labor. Certain
leading men among the II ,rmons have
promised them -four, and to assist them in
leaving the country.
My presence in the Tabernacle will be
remembered by me as an occasion of in
Ut
thousand persons were assembled for the
purpose Of public worship; the hall was
crowdet.to overflowing: but the most pro.
found quiet was observed when I appeared
President Brigham Young introduced me
BY name, as the Governor of Utah, and
addressed the audience from the s'and."-
informed them that had come amongs!
them to yindicare the nat ioral sovereignty; :;
that il was my duty to secure the Suprema-
cy of the Constitution and laws: that had
taken nv oath of office 10 exact an urcnn-
ditional submission on their part to the
dictates of the law. was not interrupted.
In a discourse of about thirty minutes I
duration, touched (as I thought best J
boldly upon all the leading questions at
issue between them and the general govern
ment. remembered that had t. deal with
men embittered by the remembrance and
recital Of many real and imaginary wrongs
but did not think it wise To Withhold from
them the entire truth. They listened re-
spectfully TO all had to sav-approv
even, fancied-when explained to the IN
w
my administration. In fact, the whole man.
ner the people was calm, betoken'ng mol
consciousness of having done wrong, but
rather as it were, indicating conviction
that :hey had done their duty to their re-
ligion and to their country. have OBJ
served that the Mormons profess to view
the constitution as the work of inspired
men, and respond with readiness TO appeals
for its support.
Thus, the meeting nigh, have ended
But tier closing my remarks, | rose and
stated that ! would be glad to hear from
any one who might be inclined to address
me upon topics of interest to the commu-
nifty. This invitation brought forth in sue
cesson several speakers, who evidently ex.
ercised great influence over the masses of
the people, They harangued on the sub
ject of the assassination of Joseph Smith
Jr, and his friends; the services rendered
by Mormon battalion to all ungratefull
country; their Suffering on "the plains" du.
ring their dreary pilgrimage to their noun
tain home, &c. The congregation became
greatly excited. and joined the speakers in
their intemperate remarks, exhibited more
frenzy than | had expected to witness
among the people who habitually exercise
great self-ccntrol.
A speaker now represented the Federal
Goyernmdn, as desiruus of nePdlessy in |
Producing the national troops into the Ter
ritUry,, whether II 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 ex-
traorGinary religion and customs, would
be taxed with submission to the military
power, which they considered to involve u
loss of honor.
In nv first address had informed them
that they were entitled to a trial by their
peers; that had no intention Of srationing
the army in immediate contact with their
settlements, anc that the military posse
would not be reso5ted to until further means
of arrest had been tried and fuiled. | found
the gre atsst difficulty in explaining tbese
points, so great was the excitement =
Eventually, howevet. the efforts of Brigham
Young were successful in calming the ,u-
mutt and restoring order. before the ad-
journment OF the meeting. 1t is proper that
] shou Id add that more than one speaker
has since expressed his regret II, having
been betrayed into intemperanco Of Ian.
guogc in my presence.