The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-03
We have always regarded the so-caled pacifca-

d cNNe'uoS
the extreme gravity of the moral issues which it in
volved, and farccal by reason of the magnitude of
the demonstration which was made on the part of
the Administration when compared with the mea-
geruess of the results. How many millions of dol
lars have been expended in the effort to bring the
Mormons within the pale of Federal authority we
will not enumerate, and the army contractors
and the horde of officials of every grade who have
grown plethoric-pecuniarily at least-upon the
gleanings of the Utah harvest field, will possibly
thank us for our reticence in this respect. That
cost is not to be counted, when the honor of the
government and the vindcation of constitutional
prerogatives are at stake everybody will cheerfuy
acknowledge; but when great means are used to
accomplish great end, the value of the fruit should
at least bear some proportion to the labor bestowed
upon its production. If we apply this rule to the
present condition of Utah. and compare it with what
it was two years ago, we shall find that where
much was promised but little has been perform
ed, and that the little which has been
done, had infinitely better have been left undone.
Indeed, the whole progress of the affair from the
initial movement to the present time, has been
but one continuous illustration of that ''forcibly
Administration have SO frequently had occasion
to condemn. When the army of Utah first took
up its line of march, the season was already so
far advanced that those whose experience in cross
ing the Plains entitled their opinion to full credit,
confidently predicted it would be compelled to 60
into winter quarters in the heart of the Great
Desert. Yet in spite of this provision, Colonel
JOHNSTON was ordered to put the troops in motion.
Upon the sufferings and hardships to which they
were thus needessly exposed, we do not now care
to dwell; but there can be no doubt whatever
that the gallant little army, which was thus iso-
lated from all support, owed its safety far more to
the vigilance and military skill of its Commander
than to any efforts which were made by the Gov
eminent to relieve it from its perous position
When, however, the Spring opened and the arr-
val of supplies and reinforcements rendered the re-
duction of the Mormons matter of comparatively
easy achievement, Governor CUNNING, acting I'M
der instructions from Washington issued procla-
nation by the PRESIDENT, granting free pardon
to the rebels, on condition that they should return
TO their allegiance and submit themselves to the
Federal jurisdiction they had so insoleny repudi-
atcd. Peace Commissioners were also pushed
and authority to the amnesty, and by their joint
exertions peace was patched up between the
Government and the quasi-trators, which, while
it bound the former by solemn pledges to forego
all inqusition into past Offences left the latter per-
fectly free to countermine-under cover of their
privileges as jurors, otherwse-every effort that
might be made to administer justice throughout
the Territory. What has been the consequence?
Is the Mormon difficulty any nearer TO a settle
ment than it was two years ago? Have the Federal
officers any power to punish crimes, however fla
grant they may be, that ''the Saints" in
dvidually, their chosen band of regulators, the
Danites, may think proper TO commit?
Are BRIGHAM YOUNG and HEBER C. KmpALL and
the rest of the Norman hierarchy one whit less
anxious to foster in their followers a spirit of
hatred against the Gentes, than they were
before the UNITED STATES troops were quartered
in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, If so,
why are the troops still encampGd in Cedar Valley?
A loyal people do not require to be confirmed in
their obedience to the laws by the presence of three
thousand armed men in their midst, or to be awed
into doing their duty by batteries of artillery If
they really disposed to submit to the Federal
authorities, how happens that Grand Juries cannot
be found who will bring in bills of Indictment
against notorious criminals and that the Judges
of the District Courts are utterless powerless TO
carry out the painest letter of the law in the face
of the systematic opposition arrayed against them?
Judge ECKLEs tried manfully to do his duty, and
failed. Judge SINCLAIR equally unsuccessful
and now, we learn that Judge CRADLEBAUGH,
whilst holding his Court at Provo city,
was compelled to make requisition
upon General JOHNSTON for strong detachment of
of troops in order to protect the witnesses for the
prosecution, and certain of the jurors, against the
threats and intmidations of the populace This ac-
ton on the part of Judge CRADLEBAUGH has, we
are told, been resented by Governor CUNNING, and
has also led TO dispute between the latter and
General JOHNSTON. How the quarrel will end it
is scarcely possible to predict; but that the Nor
mons will feel themselves fortified in their oppo-
sten to the Federal Judiciary and in their scarce
ly suppressed hatred of the Gentiles by the sineu-
larry impolitic course which Governor CUMMING
has pursued, no one can doubt who has any
knowledge whatever of human nature. After
making due allowance then, for whatever of exag-
from Utah. sufficient yet remains to show that the
Territory still continues in a very disorganized
condition; that the peace which it has been stated
existed there, is nothing more than an armed truce,
and that nothing but the presence of the UNITED
STATES troops at Camp Floyd influences the Nor
mons to observe even an outward conformity to
the jurisdiction of the Federal Government