, 1860-07-25
vt,R MORMON QUESTION

xorne time aro it WIS announced that Ill
,eeat Of the Mozmons was on the "ay
Washington city for the purpose Of laying
definite proposition before the government lot
the eale Of their possessions in Utah, On Inc
q .,ontanca of which the Saints would agree
to remore beyond the territorial jurisdiction
Of The United States 1t is hardly necessary
n sav that the statement Was an unmitigated
hoax-ahat no euch agent has been appointed
;bv the Mormons for the pufpose nameo' anu
that the United States Government mas 1e"
.,a;vxd no intimation either Of q desire on the
pa1t Of the Mormons to dispose OF their pos
sessions or - migrate to another country
Whatever may be said to the dispa1agement
Of those people, it cannot be denied 'na'
tllcir leaders are possessed Of rema1kao'e
shaspotss and sagacity. They understand
themselves well; and they understand a'so
the t;ol;t;cal necessities of the dominant party
in the government, and how to take aosa1uso
of those necessities to secure then OWL enae'
For al practical purposes they arc as iuo.
nen6ent of federal control rs the lnhahlsanls
of tho South Sea Islands. In every ythlos oo'
the name, Brigham Young is their sovereign
Ruler az well az their High Priest and Pfophe''
They regard themselves as distinct peoP'e'
haine no interest OF political sentiment in com
mon with the people Of the United States;
and they have iai,h in the ability Of Brigham
to protect them against Presidential OF Con.
eressiona1 interference, either in the shape Of
an Army, OF Of Congressional enactuents'
For these reasons they have no des're to
ssu their possessions It is probable that by
the command Of their leader, under certain
contingencies, they would apply the torch 70
their homes, and lear. nothing but black ened
and emouldezing ruins to mark the place Of
their abode; but it is not likely that
arr solicitation or even threat On
the pars Of The Administration would
induce them to sell Why should they sell
They have become rooted to the SOL and at
tached to tie country; they have accumulate
propcrty which is assessed for church ra1es
aud taxes ut s5s 900, 900; they have sixty
three cities towns and settlements, occupy ne
an extent Of country three hundred and lily
uiies north and south, and new settlements
aze constantly making in the direction OF cas-
and west; they have mills and factoFles IN op
GRAFTON, propelled by both steam and watel
power; they hnve mines Of iron, "copper" leat
and coal; and they have extensive schemes
improvement, which their past history prove
them to have the energy 70 carry cut Besides
they have thus far proved themeelves invlnc'
ble as against the federal government Who
ever may be their nominal Governor, Brigham
Young is Always GoEeruor de facto; fedora
Judges either become their tools, or else All
driven from the Territory, glad to escape viii
= whole skin; the presence Of the Unite<
States Army only serves to Eeplenish thei
excheques Ut the cost Of Uncle Sam. Certain
ly, if they hare my attachment for thei
homes, there is nothing in the past course q
the federal government to make them desirou
Of seeking new country.
And yet no man will hazard his reputatio
upon the assertion that the denominations an
irregularities Of Utah are beyond reach Of Ii
Federal Government. Not the least Of til
delinouincies Of the last two Democratic at
minisrations is the shameless policy that hs
been pursued towards Utah. 10 plant eli
very in Kansas in opposition to the Wlshea
its people, called forth the exercise Of Fl
more power On the part Of the Federal Go
eminent than would have been requisite
soourge the Salt Lake polygamists into decc
cy and into compliance with the laws Of Il
Government, But never finger was lift
for the latter purpose. True popular ind
ration forced the Administration to march
army into Utah; but with no Intention
bringing the murder,rs and lecherous soou
drels Of that Territory 10 justice. Beyo
tie opportunity which it furnished OF giyl
out fat contracts to the favorites Of the a
ministration, nothing was expected Of t
expedition, aud nothing else resulted from
Tbs Mormon question Is just as
from solution now a. it WIS then.
( The people there are eli the mt
eebellious and law-defYing BY reason
the igooble termination Of what was Civ
out "a q determined effort to chastiso the
into obedience to the law and the constitut
authorities Of the Government. And Il
etate Of things will coutinne and grow wo,
4@rt;1 r,1nr.u a ato ~ v,,s