Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-01
RICHMOND WING.
FRIDAY MORNING............DEC. l, 1865.
The Mormons


desert and mountain between them and the re-
mote frontsers of civilization, the Mormon Ma
ton, for such is its ambitious selEdesignatiOn,
is solving 10 its own satisfaction, at least, the
interesting problem of pOlygamy. Another
problem it is also solving, its own capacity
for selcgovernment. For years past, Federal
authority has only had a nominal existence IN
Utah. The United States have sent Govern
ors, Judges, District Attorneys and Marshals
there, but they have been as powerless as II
they had been sent to France or England
They are barely tolerated, and that only 50
long as they humble themselves before BRIG
HAM You've. With the exception Of the few
Gentiles usually found there, and who do not
dare to set themselves in opposition to Nor
mon sway, or even publicly to express their
opinions, the whole sentiment of Utah is hos
tile TO the Federal Government. The posse
eonitataS, should the Governor invoke it TO
enforce his authority, would be composed of
Mormons juries are composed Of MOrmonS,
and all sub-ofEcals are MormOns. Except
when the Government has troops in Utah, and
strong force too is required, Federal author
ity may assert, but cannot enforce itself 1t is
useless, even dangerous, for the United States
officials 10 attempt 10 exercise the functions Of
government. They soon learn this, and if they
love case aud quiet and desire to please the
Normons and profit by their favor, they soon
sink into cyphers, only occasionally making an
empty show Of authority TO keep up appear
nnces at home, which is all understood by the
MCrmOus Ii they have can itching palm"
they can make money by lending themselves 10
Mormon schemes, and by siding with them in
their difficulties with the Government. If, on
the other hand, they endeayor, as some have
done, TO be faithful TO their trusts and 10 en-
force Federal supremacy, they will soon find
themselves on a bed Of thorns. Every form Of
annoyance and indignity will be visited upon
them. To destroy their influence at home, and
10 discredit their representations TO the Govern
ment, they viii soon lind themselves targets
fer Mormon defamation and calumuy. Scores
Of letters viii be sent TO the States for publ
cation, in which they will be accused of every
crime. They will be represented as drunkards,
adulterers, spectators, lars-and for the proof
Of these charges any number of witnesses and
any amount Of evidence can be produced.
AL the recent accounts from that delectable
territory represent the Mormon leaders as
much excited against the Government. During
the war they were quiet and went to work with
their usual shrewdness TO get all they could out
of the Government to improve their lands,
multiply their manufactures, increase their
Ill tl,,s-
with everything that tends to cripple Federal
authority, and 10 divert from Mormon polyga.
my aud Mormon usurpation and insolence the
observation of the Government, they favored
the Southern side Of the question during the
war They would have been glad 10 see that
war as perpetual as the SHOWS that crown the
adjacent mountain tops; for, whileit continued,
the Normons grew in numbers, multiplied and
developed their resources and strengthened
their political power.
The return Of peace now allows the popular
mind 10 turn TO forgotten subjects, and Utah
and its affairs are at this time attracting con-
siderable share Of public attention. Mr.. Col
1SHAx, Speaker of the last House Of Represen-
tltives. aud who has butrecently returned from
trip across the Plains, has helped to give
present prominence TO the Mormons, their po-
litical, social and industrial condition, and their
ambitious designs. Other recent Sojourners IN
Salt Lake City have also contributed to the
same end by correspondence with prominent
newspapers.
The Mormon Government appears 10 DC
stronger at this moment than it has ever been.
Il extends from the supreme control Of the
conscience 10 all the relations and pursuits Of
life, to family affairs, and to the regulation Of
the prices Of all saleable commodities. The
Government is ecclesiastical, and BRIGHAN
Yoryo is the head Of it. He is the embodi-
mont of both the Church and State. HIS will
Is the law. lie claims, and the claim is allow
ed. the power Of changing the scriptures by
pretended revelations. Under his auspices
Polygamy has been built up. 1t now prevails
throughout the territory. Against Polygamy
Congress legislatcd in 1862. This legislation
has never been carried out or respected among
the Mormons. The United States District
Attorney, by whom prosecutions are to be
conducted, is, HIMSELF a Mormon, with six
wives, and refuses to appear before the Federal
Court, or TO appoint substitute. Now that
public affairs are becoming tranquilized, the
Mormons are anticipating a determined effort
on the part Of the Federal Government TO
crush out Polygamy and to punish all offenders
against the law prohibiting it. This has greatly
enraged the Mormons, and they are preparing
to defend that cherished institution by force OF
arms. They have organized, equipped and are
now busily drilling the whole male population
Of the territory, with the view Of repelling any
attempt of the United States TO interfere win
their polygamous practices.
The MormonS have always been very prompt
IN demanding Of the Federal Government the
o,nds furnished for the support Of their Terri
,orial Government, but they have always been
tardv and backward in contributing TO the sup
mort of the Government The population o
rtab is now estimated by BRIGHAN NorNG
a. over 100, 900 souls. Prosperity has smiled
npon them during the latter wears. One OF
the preachers lately said, in the tabernacle -
=. The fact, brethren, is all Of our people ar'
fast becoming rich"' Yet the amount Of in
rernal revenue assessed for the whole territory
=. only SIS. 900, while the new territory o
Colorado, with population Of only about 20,
900, paid last year into the United State
Treasury over 100000, and viii pay this yea
$4,000. The assessor of Utah is Mormon
with four wives, and the collector, Mormon
with six wives. They are both confidential ad
herents of BRIGHAM YOuNo.
one-tenth of all that the MormOns grow
,.l-a or have has To- be Maid to IN
Church as a 1.-THE. BsIGHAN is the Church
and into his hands these immense tithes ar
paid. A writer says "From all the settle
parts of the territory may be seen, continually
in the daytime, passing through the big gate
wayin his high and massive wall, wagons loade
49, 9 Al ,oDacious harm