Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-02-20
VOLUME 27

1t commenced in 1856, aud continued un-
til the close of 1897. The people took up
arms, organized, and collected in large
masses under the lead Of a popular officer
who had distinguished himself in the revo-
lulionary war. They broke up courts
called to try and punish persons implica.
ted with them, and de6ed the law and au-
thoritics. The Governor called out four
thousand four hundred militia. A declar
alton OF rebellion was issued by the GeRer-
al Court or Legislature, in which it was
declared that ga horrid and unnatural re-
beilon and war had been openly and trail
torously raised and levied against the
same. Commissioners we're subsequently,
appointed by the Legislature, consisting
of General Lincoln, who commanded tho
troops ordered out by the Commonwealth,
Hon Samuel A. Otis, and Hon. Samuel
Philips, President Of the House of Repre-
sentativos. These Commissioners were
authorized to promise indemnity to such
who might discontinue opposition to he
Government and return to their allegiance
as good citizens"
Well, sir we have had other rebellionc
W Y hhu tlAO hbiSASJ ibSOiiSSViObs h"e
rebellion was so serious in its character,
that George Washington sent two special
! messages to Congress on the subject, or
dered out the militia of four States Of the
Unon-Peuusylvania, Virginia, Mary
land and New Jersey--to suppress it, and
appointed commissioners TO treat with the
insurrectionists. Nay, more he went in
person, accompanied by Alexander Ham.
iton, then Secretary of the Treasury, and
had q conference with the rebels in Car
Isle. The Father of his country, in the
true spirit Of patriotism, justice, wisdom
and policy, thought it not beneath his dig
nifty to treat with rebels. He did treat
with them successfully, and the result was
that the rebels laid down their arms, and
Congress at the next session repealed the
obnoxious laws.
But, sir, this is not the only case. 1
come 10 a later aud yet more prominent
and significant case-the Mormon rebel
lion. These prohigate outcasts, who have
been always hostile to our moral and po-
litcal institutions, were treated with by
commissioners.
1t commenced early in 1857. The inn
mediate cause was opposition to the exer-
else of Federal authority and the appoint.
ment of territorial Judge. On the 18th
Of September of that year Brigham Young
issued proclamation in the style OF an
independent sovereign, announcing mis-
purpose to resist, by force of arms, tho
entry of the United States troops into the
Territory of Utah. He proceeded o'carry
out his threat. He organized an army,
declared martial law, seized Government
Notifications, destroyed Government pro.
perty, and put the territory in q state of
complete defence against the Federal ar
my. The Federal troops there at the time
were oyerawed and rendered powerless.
The President sent message to Congress
which passed bills to meet the case, large
sums were appropriated, troops were or
dered there under command Of Gen. A. 8.
Johnston, in the spring of 1853, and in
April of that year Hon. L. W. Powell,
now United States Senator from Kentucky, (,
and Major Mccullough, were appointed
commissioners on the part of the United
States, and Col. Cane appointed on the
part of the Mormons. These commission
ers carried with them a proclamation of
the President, IN which he offered full
pardon to all who would submit to the
laws. BY the conduct and forbearance
of these commissioners, peace was restor-
ed, the rebellion put down, and the Fed
eral authority once more respected. Tho
officers appointed by the President were
accepted by the Mormons, and order and
submission have reigned ever since.
Therefore, Mr.. Speaker, is there any
thing so extraordinary in my proposition
to send commissioners to treat with the
Southern States We are told almost
: weekly that the rebellion IS almost crush
ed out, that we have every advantage over
these insurgents. Is it wrong, therefore,
is it unwiso, is it unpatriotic to pursue pre-
cedents that have been set by the Father of
his Country, and by his SUCCESSORS in
Office