The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-11

Ipropose to indicate the methods by
which Brigham Young succeeds in perpet-
uating his influence and distributing it.
In the first place. his personal qualifca-
tions as leader are of the highest order;
his will, his judgement, his boldness are
all wonderful, and enttle him to great per-
sonal credit.
Then the character of his consorts is, as
has been shown, such that they readily ac
cord his notwithstanding leader, they
approve a bold and self-confdent one; and
apart from any religious or superstitous
belief in the doctrines of Mormonism, there
is feeling Of gratitude to the man by whom
they have been brought from such homes,
over such desert, to such place to live
in.
These are all influential in OBJ aiming the
submission of the people, but would all
fail in accomplishing the object if it were
not for the wonderful machinery of the Or
ganization.
1t is difficult for an outsider to possess
himself of the real facts, for while there is
great apparent candor on the part of the
Mormons in speaking of their officers and
their duties, the relation of these officers to
each other and the system is not generally
known. give you the best judgement l
was able to form, after personal intercourse
and some study Of their literature.
In the outset, it was a surprise to find so
complete despotism compatible with an
elective form. But this is not so difficult
to understand when the fact is known that
the elections are held in the Tabernacle on
Sunday, in the presence of the magnates,
and the voting is done by show of hands,
upon nominations made by the High Coun-
Gil.
The officers are of two classes both being
considered branches of the priesthood; they
are called respectively the Melchisedec and
the Aaro&;c priesthoods-the one having
duties and functions Of spiritual charac
ter; the DER concerning itself with the
church and its members. Over the whole
there dominate the members of the first
Presidency of three, Brigham Young being
knewn as lie President, with special and
supreme powers, the others acting as coun-
cillors Or ,:eutenants.
OF the Ielchisedec order are, first, twelve
who are S; yed Apostles, who form a high
council and whose other duties include
the administration of baptisms and of the
secret of lie endowment. Under these is
the Quorum of Seventies, which consists of
first seventy with seven Presidents, and
again of other seventies chosen by these
Presidents for various duties. These are
largely employed in propagandism, and as
sumo the name of evangelists and preach
ers, travelling, in obedience to the direc-
lions of the Council, to distant lands, and
displaying often great zeal and devotion in
their work.
Of the Aaronite order are the Bishops,
who superintend the assessment and col
Letting of tithes-thus laying hands on the
property Of those upon whose heads the
Council have laid hands; they also dis
charge the duties of civil magistrates in
deciding disputes and difficulties among
the members. Each Bishop has portion
of territory, including about one thousand
persons, assigned to him, in which he lives
and governs.
After the Bishops come class of teach
ers and deacons, who exhort to fidelity in
tithing, and possess themselves Of informa-
ton as to the increase of goods, so as to
be able to judge of the honesty Of the re-
l., al, lie.
spies and informers. There may be other
classes of officers, but I could ascertain
nothing definitely concerning them.
Over all these the President has supreme
power and he docs not fail to interfere, if
in his judgement, interference is required
He can send any officer (his lieutenants
mayhap excepted) on any mission, to any
part of the globe, or he can direct his fam
ly affairs, by requiring additional wives,
or, as they style it, compelling him into
plurality He receives reports of all the
doings of all the subordinates, for the sys-
tenn Of espionage by which the discipline of
the Church is kept up is signally perfect,
and compels officers as well as members to
duty. Let something go wrong, in &C
counts, in religious observances, in inter
course with the outside world, in talk about
the Saints, and some prying, meddlesome
one reports it to a teacher, he to a Bishop
who may act on the information or send it
to the Quorum of Seventies, who, at any
rate, know that the bishop received it, and
whether he acted or not, the Quorum may
send it to the Council, and the Council to