Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-01-06
The Utah Desnatches.


War Department by Col. Johnston isl letter
from brigham Ionng, dated October 10Th, il
which in replying 10 Col. Alexander. he says
III you come here for peaceful purposes YOU
have no use fur weapons OF war. We wish ailt
ever have wished for peace, and have ever suet
for it, all day long. as our bitterest enemies wei
know. ard though the wicked with the admins
ration now ut their head have determined We
>li1ll have NO peace, except it be tn lie d"wr
in death, in the nnne Of lSraers God. we viii
have pence even though we be compelled by
''ur enemies to fight for it.
IF you persist in yOnr Mt empts to permanent.
" locate an army in this Territory, contrary to
he wishes and constitutional rights of the peo
pie therein, and with the view to aid tine Ad
'ninistration in their unhallowed efforts to palm
heir corrupt officials upon Us, and protect them
and the backlrgs, black hearted scnnndrrls
protgates aud murderers, a. was the sole inten
lion in sending your troops here, you will have
Ia meet mode of warfare against which your
'actirs furnish you no information.
I'm regard To myself and certain Others hav-
ing placed ourselves in a position "f rebellion
md hostility to the United States, am perfect
" aware that we understand our true and mo-
loyal position far better than our enemies cnIl
inform us. We, of all people, are endeavoring
10 preserve and perp'tuate the genlns of the
constitutional law; willie the administration,
md the troops they have ordered to Utah, are.
in fact the rebels and in hostility to the general
government, and If George Washington was
now living. and at the helm of our Government,
ne would hang the Administration as high - he
lid Andre, and that, too, with iai better grace,
nd cufa ubsnr hu
oe>t Interests of the conntry."
After much similar defiant language, Brigham
Young says, "By virlue-of my office rs Governor
If Utah, command you To marshal your troops
and leave this territory, tur it can be OF M
possible benefit TO you TO waste treasure and
blood in prosecuting Your course upon the side
IT rebellion against the General Government
oy its administrators. You have had, and still
have, plenty of time to retire, within reach Of
supplies at the east or go to Fort Hall. Here
you are with your fellow officers as Well as ! am
with mine, and did they understand the work
they are now engaged in as well as you may un
,lerstand it, YOU must know that many of them
would Immediately revolt from MI connexions
with SO ungody, illegal, unconstitutional and
hellish crusade against an innocent people. and
# their blood is she'd it shall rest upon the head.
VI tIlt)Se CDlIlillhuutlSf llu vs. u 10 tuo mug
.lom of God or nothing"
In anulher letter to Alexander he says
When the President of the United States SD fur
legrades his high position and prostitutes the
highest gift of the people, 80 a. to make use oi
The military power intended only fnr the pro
rection of the peoples liberties, and compel them
TO receive officials 50 lost to selt.respect rs to
,ccept appointments against the known and ex.
res>ed wish of the people, and so craven and
degraded rs to need an army to protect them in
heir position, we feel that we would be recrean'
to every principle Of self respect. honor, integri
y and patriotism to bow tamely 10 such high
landed TYRANNY, parallel to which isonly found
IN the attempts made by the British Govern
nent in IFS most corrupt stages against the
lights. liberties and lives nf our fnrealerS. II,
,lr real enemies, the ,nohocrats priests editors
nd politicians, by when the storm has been
gathered, come against us instead of yon aud
lour Command, | would not have addressed
them thus They never would have been al
lowed to reach the South Pass"