Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-15
The Mormon Problem.

The solution of the Mormon problem
is difficult, but solved it must be in some
way, at a day not far distant in the fu-
ture. Many have supposed that Nor
monism would if left to itself die out,
but Of this there are not the rcmotest in
dications. On the other hand instead of
exhibiting any signs of ..decay, Mormon
ism to-day shows more life and vigor
than ever before. The following article
from the New York Times gives the
readerthe numerical strength of the Nor
mon people, and alludes to the proposed
solutions of the Mormon problem.
We may, perhaps, set down the Nor
mon population OF Ctah, III round num-
bers, at 100, 900 souls; we may, probably,
though at an OUTSIDE estimate, set Gowh
the Mormons : ALTERED elsewhere
through the world at 100000 souls-or.
to be within bounds, let us reckon all
MormO adom to consist of 100000 men,
women and Children. Cipher as we will
and with all the multiplication oftabes
to Nautilus to help US, this astonishing
growth from six people to quarter If
million, in less than forty Yeas, means
preaching rather than polygamy-it
means Jealous and well-organized sys-
tenn of missions, in which hundreds of
m nisters labor constantly Tor the con-
version of souls TO MOrmonism.
These 100. 600 souls in Utah arc gath
cred into 100 settlements, or thereabout.
About one in ter of these constitute the
farming population, who cultivate
$50 OOO acres, producing, among other
things, yearly crop of SOD 600 bags of
-four, Of which q good Part goes to sup
ply the less steady population of adjoin-
ing territories. At the head of this
strong, compact, thriving and busy
NINA ure nation, stands Brigham
Young. With not a:dollarot ebt, with
Treasury Uhe result of a strict system
Of tithiLg) reconed in te..s Of millions
under his sole control, with ianatical
people ready to follow him wherever he
leads or to 60 wherever he bid this
ambitious potentate has builtup a Com
monwealth which it would be crime
it will require great .fnesse and
legislative wisdom to manage as it must
be managed.
Two solutions have been proposed for
the Mormon problem. We say two, be-
cause that third alternative, once in fa-
vor, of "smiting the heather hip and
thigh" desOlating their fair fields,
turning their garden into a desert, sack
ing their hundred cities, and shooting
down every soul that resisted, finds no
advocates now, even among the sur
rounding settlers, who would be greedy
for the spoils. One of these two solu-
tions is that offered by Mr.. Ashley's
bill, now before Congress, to divide Utah
save narrow zone in the neighbour
hood of the Great Salt Lake City-into
various parts, and transfer these to the
neighbo ing States and Territories. The
other is to trust to the influence Of"Gen-
tile" admiXture to overthrow the worst
features of MOrmonisn, and finally to do
away with the whole system,
The intrOdu. ton of Mr.. Ashley's bill
promised to create feeling in favor OF
the former of these two solutions. But,
il we mistake not, it has been allowed to
pass beyond the day for which us con-
sidera ion was sen Iown on the calen-
dar. 1t is clear, as we have already
said, that the turning point of Mormon
ism, at least as political power,i is near
ly reached, and that its fate. as ma
t'on," if not as "church," will ere
long be decided.