The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-05-05
Another Unroar in Utnh.

The State Department has received des.
patches from Utah, confirtnstory Of the news
received BY telegraph from st. Louis, that
there is conflict between the federal and
judicial officers. A large mass of documents
from Col. Johnson fully explain the compli-
cations and difficulties between the federal
and judicial officers, and hia course 10 res.
ponding to the acquisitions made upon him
BY the judiciary, which is co-ordinats
branch OF the government, is sustained
and justified. II appears that Gov. Cum
ming was acting under special instructions
from the State Department, and directly op-
posite to the instructions Of Col. Johnson
and the Judicial officers.
This new Mormon excitement has arisen
between the Governor and the Mormons on
the one side, and the judicial and military
authorities Of the United States on the other.
Gov. Cumming has attempted to adhere TO
the spirit OF the treaty OF amnesty establish
ed with the Mormons last summer, by the
Peace Commissioners sent out by the Presi.
dent. He has satisfied the Government in
the discharge of the responsible duties OF
his Office. Judge Cradlebaugh, thinking that
the juries, most of whom were Mormons,
would pay little respect to American courts,
seems to have regarded them with feelings
Of some acerbity.
The amnesty for past offences and civil
control Of the Territory fully vested in Gov.
Cumming, restored order for time. This
was weakened by the unwise institution of
prosecutions by the District Attorney for of.
fences which had clearly been pardoned by
the President.
Judge Cradlebaugh, having no faith in
Mormon promises or pledges, in proceeding
recently to hold court at the town of Provo,
called upon General Johnson for detach.
ment of the army to take care of certain
prisoners to be tried. The troops were sent
as required, to the extent Of one hundred
men but subse quently some nine hundred
more were marched to Provo under the or.
ders OF Gen. Johnson.
The Mormons were naturally enough
thrown into high state of indignation at
this spectacle of United States court, sur.
rounded by large body of soldiers. The
Saints were also quick to discover that the
Governor, who. it is supposed, holds the ar.
my subject to his orders, had given no au-
thority for this military requisition at Provo.
They also secured, on statement OF the
facts, counter proclamation from the Gov.
ernor, protesting against this military occu.
patton of the town, under the demand o
Judge Cradlebaugh and the command OF Gen.
Johnson. And thus stands the case between
the Governor on the one hand, and the Judge
on the other, with the commanding army of.
fcer on hand with his troops to sustain the
Court against the Mormons.
The Judge, with the army around the
premises, proceeded to hold his court but
the Grand Jury (sympatbsing Mormons) re.
fusng to do anything in behalf OF the active
prosecution of the trials contemplated, were,
at the end of two weeks, Indignantly dis.
charged by the Judge. His address, in dis.
charging them, is one of the most extraordi.
nary judicial speeches which can be furnish.
ed from the records of any court in the civil
lized or semi. civilized world.
The President has rece ved full advi,es I'd.
on which he can act in the matter. Some
change will doubtless be necessary in the
officials OF the Territory. The difficulty is
an unfortunate one. The organic laws of
the Territory cannot at present be CHANGED.
When Congress meets it would pcrhaps be
the wisest course again to restore The Ter.
ritory to a military jurisdiction until all dan.
gers of such difficulties are at on end. A
divided Government. with the Mormons as a
third party, must necessarily create dissen.
sions. AS the case now stands, the army
ond the Judge favor rigorous measures
against the Mormons, while the Governor,
in strict obedience with his instruc tions, is
anxious to fully restore peace in the Terri
tory.
This Mormon question is one which has
falIen into the hands of the present admins.
tration for settlement. Thus far MIR. Bu-
chanan's wise and determined policy has
compelled the wicked people of this dismal
country into reasonable subjection to the
laws. For some time to come Mormon in
fiuences must continue to be ielt on juries,
and in their Interpretation OF offences. Like
any other heathens, these people must be
civilized before they will be capable, even in
part, of self government, and until this takes
place as the result of emigration, it would
seem that military government is best
suited to the condition and necessities of the
people of the Territory. In the present up.
roar in Mormondom there is no sign of war,
and we look for q settlement of affairs in this
distant and difficult TO govern portion OF the
national domain, to the same administrative
wisdom, and prudent determination which
put an end to the warlike threutenings of last
Post.