Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-19
The MOrmOns Defiant.
Important Interview Between
Senator Trumbull and Brig
ham Young.

Salt Lake, July ll.-Yes
day Ex-Governor Oglesby, Sen
ator Trumbull and several
other gentlemen of the CONNER
cial party, called on the Cover
nor Of the Territory, Mr.. Dur
kee and paid their respects
The other territorial officers
called on our party and placed
their services at our disposal.
| At IL o'clock we called on
Brigham Young, at his resi-
dence, when the spokesman,
Col. James e.. Bowen, made a
brief address, saying, in sub
stance, that we congratulated
him upon the suspicious COM
pletion of the railway, which
has relieved the Mormons Of
their profound isolation, bro't
them in contact with the Gen.
tiles, cheapened the cost of
their goods, and increased the
purchasing power of their Ia
Dor. He referred to the assist
ance they rendered in building
the road, and the commercial
objects of the visitors, compli-
mented their material prospect
ty, and acknowledged the value
of the important art of irrigation
which they had taught the
Gentiles, whereby the great
| American desert was made to
blossom as the rose, and to
| yield rich fruits in their sea-
son.
The prophet, in behalf OF
himself and disciples, briefly
welcomed the party, spoke
warmly of the aid the Mormons
had given in building the rail
road, and said their aim was to
press on diligently to perform
the part allotted 70 them in the
drama Of life, having ever in
view the rights Of man and So
cial independence. Col, Bow
en- then introduced the gentle
men of the party, and a gener-
al conversation ensued, lasting
an hour. AS Senator Trum-
bull was bidding adiou TO Mr..
| Young, the latter remarked
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. If such federal Off
Gals 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 request that you
make known your grievances
to President Grant. He is a
just man, intending to do JUS
tice to all ; but he will not per-
NIT violation Of law to go I'M
punished. 1t will not be safe
to modest 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. The U.
States judges who were here
some time ago acted badly. l
told them what I thought of
them and they left,
Senator Trumbull. You will
promise obedience to the consti-
tuition and laws of the Union?
Brigham Young.-Adher-
ence to the Union, certainly
One enactment of Congress,
however, we shall not obey ;
that is the one forbidding po-
lygamy. 1t is not right to in
terfere in that matter. 1t is
much better for a man to have
several wives, support, honor
and cherish them, than it is for
man to deceive one and cast
off, disown and refuse to sup
port her.
Senator Trumbull. That is
a matter about which we must
differ. We think the national
government and the States can
rightfully pass laws against
bigamy, and justly punish the
offense. All the States make a
plurality of wives a criminal
offense.
Brigham Young. Yes all
the States have laws on the
subject, and Utah, when a
State, will have an eoual rioht