The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1869-08-05

MOrmOns vs.. the Government.
A party of Che go tourists, in Salt
Lake City, called on Brigham Young,
and the following is a report of the in
terview: a- s1-7
The Prophet, in behalf of himself
and disciples, briefly welcomed the
party, spoke warmly of the aid the
Mormons had given in building the
railroad, and said their aim was to
press on diligently to perform the
part allotted to them in the drama of
life, having ever in view the rights of
man and social independence.
Col. Bowen then introduced the gen
tlemen Of the party, and a general con-
versation ensued, lasting an hour.
AS Senator TrumbuIl was bidding
adieu to Mr.. Young, the latter re-
marked, that on returning to Congress
he might hear of some persons being
put out of the territory, and if done
he might be sure it would be for just
and good reasons. Ifsuch federal Off
cials are sent here as sometimes have
come, they will be guilty, and in an
orderly way put out of Utah for good
cause.
Senator Trumbull-BefOre you take
any step of that kind, allow me to re-
quest that you make known your
grievances to President Grant. He
is just man, intending to do justice
to all; but he will not permit viola
ton of law to go unpunished. 1t will
not be safe to molest public officers in
the discharge of their duties.
Brigham YOung-What more will
he do for us than johnson did? Gen.
Grant has removed the only officer
here who was a Mormon, and for no
reason save that he was a Mormon.
The United States Judges who were
here some time ago acted badly. I.
told them what thought of them,
and they left.
Senator Trumbull-You will prom
Use obedience to the Constitution and
the laws of the Union?
Brigham Young-Adherence to the
Union, certainly. One enactment Of
Congress, however, we shall not obey !;
that is the one forbidding polygamy.
1t is not right to interfere in that mat
ter. 1t is much better for a man to
have several wives, support, honor and
cherish them, than it is for a man to
deceive and cast of, disOwn and
refuse to support her.
Senator TrumEull-That is a matter
about which we must differ. We
think the National Government and
the States can rightfuIly pass laws
against bigamy and justly punish the
offense. All the States make a plu-
rality of wives a criminal offense.
Brigham Young Yes; all the
States have laws on the subject, and
Utah, when a State, will have an equal
right to make laws protecting polyga-
my. Until we came here, the subject
of pOlygamy was not brOached. It'll
was not until we had a revelation on
the subject. We think we ought not
to be interfered with in this matter, as
it is nobody's business but our own.
We have about 10000 people. Con-
gress thinks we are unable to take
care of ourselves as a State. When |
we number 300, 900, as we soon shall, |
[ think we shall be admitted into the
Union.
Senator Trumbull concluded the di- |
alOgue by remarking that the laws, at
all events, must be obeyed and upheld, !
and that the Chicago party was here
on a commercial and not a political |
errand.
Mr.. Young's remarks about expell- |
ing Federal officers from the Territory |
who do not please him, and his decla |
ration that MOrmOns would not obey |
the law of Congress against bigamy,
created considerable sensation among |
The members of the party.