The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-02

Congress we say we DO not know that even
this suggestion would meet the appreciation of our
strict constructionsts for to have a government
OF their own, may, perhaps, be considered to be rs
much the right of the settlers of our wild lands as
that of legslating for themselves, when they have
a government is asserted to be- A less objection
able plan, perhaps, would be that suggested by
the recent action of the people of Carson Valley.
The inhabitants of that portion of the territory of
Utah, which borders on California, are preparing
a memorial to Congress, praying to have Utah d.
vided and a separate Territorial government esab-
lished for them. They are mostly Gentiles, or
Mormons who have renowned the faith, and it is
hard to require them to remain in subsection to
government which is in the hands Of their enemies
which affords them no protection, and seeks in
every way TO annoy and Cypress them. If there
is no way of preventing the Mormon Elders from
perverting and abusing the powers Of the Ter
ritorial government Of Utah, then let there
be another Territorial Government for Carson
Valley. Not only does this appear to be measure
of justice due to these poor people who are living
at present almost without law and without pro-
tection;-it has the merit of being sound policy,
likewise. Utah is large-unnecessarily so for a
State-and may be easily divided. While we are
opposed to an unnecessary multiplication OF States,
the subdivision of Utah, and the creation OF two
or more territorial governments within its present
limits, or better still-because it would free the
plan from the objection of adding to the number
of States-the annexation of different portions of
the Territory to adjoining territorial jurisdictions,
would have the effect of localizing: discouraging,
and, we believe, ultimately extinguishing Nor
monism Hemmed in by Gordon Of States and
Territories in which polygamy would be forbidden
by law, and Mormonism and its professors held in
dsesteem, the power of the priests over their de-
luded followers would soon be broken. Under
such a monstrous system as theirs, individual
cases Of wrong and oppression must be of frequent
occurrence and the temptation to resent the i'm
pertinent interference Of ecclesiastical authority
with mans domestic concerns, and the invasion
of his private rights and, it may be, his family
circle, by priestly lust Or rapacity-by withdraw
ing altogether from the Church which tolerates or
permits such things, must be at all times strong.
At present, all tendency towards secession is care
fully repressed by the Whole power Of the priest
hood, which is, substantially, the whole power
of the State Men who have ceased TO believe in
Mormonism and all its works, dare not make
public their change of faith, lest they be secretly
murdered, or plundered of their goods. The
distance which separates Salt Lake City from any
community in which a fugitive from Mormonism
could find shelter and protection, is a great ele-
ment of strength in the hands of the Church.
The journey to the States is long and peril0us
one, and there are Danites and destroying An
':gels'' by the way, who would not scruple TO
murder the traveller whom they suspected Of disat-
fiction or apostacy. The few converted Mormons
who have escaped from the territory, did so with
great difficulty and many dangers All thiswould be
remedied by the plan which we propose Without
the exercise of single doubtful power, and with
out offending the scruplcs Of the most sensitive
admirer of the doctrine of territorial sovereignty,
Mormonism, as a political institution, would be
practically legslated out Of existence. Its poiti-
cal importance gone, the religious phase Of It's
existence would not be Of long duration. As
mere form of speculative error, Mormonism pre-
sents no attractions which could ever gain for it
single proselyte. Unless men can practice its
sensual and degrading doctrines they are not
likely 10 ADOPT them as opinions. I tan ulNlueu,
and its territory and people parcelled out among
the adjoining territories, the different Territorial
Legislatures would pass stringent laws for the pun
ishment ofpolygamy. If the inhabitants Of any
Territory should object to having class Of people
whose ideas and habits are so offensive to good
morals, and inimical to the peace and good order
of society, added to their population, they have
only TO rembember that it is but choosing whether
they will have the Mormons scattered and divided,
within Their own limits, and subject TO their laws,
or congregated and united upon their borders,
beyond their control, and enjoying all the prestige
and advantage to be derived from the possession OF
q separate Government and that political power,
without which, their hierarchy cannot exist, and
their whole system becomes almost innocuous.-
These reflections have occurred to us in connection
with the present movement in Carson Valley.
That movement will probably bring the whole
subject TO the attention of Congress this coming
scooion. Whatever disposition may DO made oft
or whatever policy Government may ultimately
adopt in reference to the Mormons, the claim Of the
people of Carson Valley to relief is in the highest
degree, reasonable, and ought to meet with the
most favorable consideration.