The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-09
The Mormon Problem and its Proposed
Solution.
Ron, me ". p. Times.

The Mormon Problem and its Proposed
Solution.
From me w. p. Times.
II Is felt by many people, and perhaps by
none more keenly than the Mormons them
selves, that the fate of Mormonism-certainly
as a political power, and probably as reh-
oious moyement--now hangs trembling in the
balance. Postponed by the Intervention of
our civil war, and again Iespited by the
wrapgle over reoonstruction, the Utah ques-
tion must soon, II is clear, receive positive
treatment. Were there no other considera-
tions at stake, the steady tide of population
flowing westerly into immediate contact with
MormOndom, and the new transconunental
oonduits of traffic and travel on the eve Of
opening, would make the decision of the pro-
blem imperative.
Thus it happens that, after nigh upon two
score years of strange and eventful history,
this extraordinary politico-religious vagary,
which has never ceased meanwhile to grow in
strength as it has grown in age, approaches a
crisis. II is forty years, save one (namely,
April 6, 1890, since six persons formed the
nucleus of this widespreading establishment,
OF which it is just to say that it has illus
trated, as never did any other organization,
the harmonious interplay of religious and
secular authority-s perfect union OF "Church
and State.' II we now proceed to "disests-
blish" the Mormon ChuTch-for that is just
about what one Congressional plan, at least,
contemplates--we must confess that we sap
an institution which has showed no sign Of
internal decay, and which, contrary to uni
versal prediction, is to-day stronger than ever.
We may, perhaps set down the Mormon
population OF Utah, in round numbers, at
100 600 souls; we may, probably, though at
an outside estimate, set down the Mormons
scattered elsewhere through the world at
200, ,0O0 souls--or, to be within bounds, let us
ell don 20 la nf
men, women, and children. Cipher as we
WILL and with all the multiplication Of tables
to Malthus TO help us, this astonishing growth
from six people to quarter Of million, in
less than forty years, means preaching rather
than pOlygamy-it means a Jealous and we'll
organized system OF missions, in which hun
dreds of ministers labor constantly for the
conversion of souls to Mormonism.
These 100000 souls in Utah are gathered
into 100 settlements, or thereabout. About
one in ten Of these constitute the farming
population, who cultivate $50, 900 acres, pro-
dueing, among other things, a yearly crop of
100000 bags OF flour, of which a good part
goes to supply the less steady populations of
adjoining territories. At the head Of this
strong, compact, thriving, aud busy minia-
ture nation stands Brigham Young. With
not dollar of debt, with q treasury (the re-
suit of strict system of tithing) reokoned in
tens of millions under his sole control, with a
fanaticsl people ready to follow him wherever
he leads or to 60 wherever he bids, this ambi-
tious potentate has built up Commonwealth
which IL would be crime to attempt to de-
vastate, and which il will require great ,tineSss
and great legislative wisdom to manage as it
must be managed.
Two solutions have been proposed for the
Mormon problem. We say two, because that
third alternative, once in favor, OF "smiting
the heathen hip and thigh" desolating their
fair fields, turning their garden to a desert,
sackipg their hundred cities, and shooting
down every soul that rssists, finds no advo-
Gates now, even among the surrounding set
tiers, who would be greedy for the spoils.
One OF these two solutions is that offered by
Mr.. Ashley's bill, now before Congress, to
divide Utah-save a narrow zone in the neigh
borhood of Great Salt Lake City-into various
parts, and transfer these to the neighboring
States and Territories. The other is to trust
to the influence of ''Gentile'' admixture, to
overthrow the worst feature of Mormon
ism, and finally to do away with the whole
system.
The introduction of Mr.. Ashley's bill pro-
missed to create feeling in favor of the former
of these two solutions. But, if we mistake
not, it has been allowed to pass beyond the
day for which its consideration was set down
on the calendar. This would indicate reluct-
anoe to take measures so decisive and per-
emptory as those contained in the bill, and
disposition to allow the changes expected to
be wrought by the Pacific Railroad to have
fair chance. In any event, IL is clear, as
we have already said that the turning point
of Mormonism, a. least as political power,
ia nearly reached, and that it's fate as "na-
tion," If not as "Church," will ere long be
decided
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