New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-16
TO THE PACIFIC.
NOTES FROM OUR NEW FIELD OF TRAVEL

A GLIMPSE OF THE MoRMONs.

visit Salt Lake CITY, endeavored 10 see as many OF the
principal Mormon personages as my brief stay "ouo
allow The material successes Of the sect are so reaH
able that one Involuntary connects them with s organ
ization and desires ascertain the strength and sound
ness Of bond which binds the people together ms
general view U.s. that Brigham YOungs Government, Ike
Louis Napoeons is personal in the most EXTENDED sense
that its advantages spring from his own Individual
sk and sfrewdness even its faults may be traced to
his individual weakness This has no doubt been the
case until recently but the opening Of Utah TO free inter
course with OF the world already begins To inter
ere with its operation and in few years will test moi
the strength the Mormon Church organization at eas'
| the obedience aud easy faith Of its followers
In seeking an interview with Brigham Young mad no
intention Of asking him a single question IN regard To
his system my object 20 obtain clear personal I'M
preston OF the man. first called upon MI George q
Cannon the editor OF The Deseret Nes and one oil the
Twelve Apostes-a very intelligent and courteous gen
tleman, whom found ready to converse freely ana WIN
frank impartial manner, upon all veNed questions, IN
GLIDING the Cuom BILL The Deseret NeeS - the ofhcla
Mormon organ, and has large circulation throughout
the Territory. 1t is printed on paper made, and VIII
| types cast, in Utah.
While was talking with Mr. Cannon President George
A. Smith, First Councillor OF Brigham Young the place
formerly filed by Heber Kimbal came into the office
cousin OF Joseph Smith, but does not hold to the
views OF the laters He is large tall man, with
an unusually bright, cheerful cOuntenance, ford com
plexion, keen lively eyes, and wears brown wig. His
voice and alike hearty and agreeable, and
should think he had the power OF winning men 10 hi
side He also holds the Office Of Historian, and has just
issued very wellarranged pamphlet entitled ANSWER;
TO Questions" designed especially for inquisitive Iay
| elers
| On mentioning my wish to see Brigham Young, bott
Mr. Cannon and President Smith offered to accompany
Prophets House at the other end OF the block
| within the same Enclosure The stone wall, with rough
semiplars every twenty feet is twelve feet high, anc
eectualy hides what is behind it, part Of the space
| a From this elevated nOStOn have "A
nificent view Of the great Valley and the two snowy
ranges Brigham Youngs residence and that Of severa
OF his wives, is apparently double house, with con
Meeting building The only thing to denote its character
is rudely carved lion the balcony and beehive
surmountng the observatory like little cupola On the
right there is arched gateway, leading into court
yard. An eagle, with extended wings-also very In
different work OF arts perched the keystone OF the
arch These three embems require faith to make then
imposing. To me the place had decidedly practiea
air. Several boys two Of whom certainly had the Brig
ham face playing about the entrance, and one
dashing fellow Of sixteen started down the street on
yelocipede.
I was ushered into a handsome well-furnished room.
divided by wooden screen from dim back office. The
floor carpeted circular table, with great globe OF
gold fish, in the center, sofas and chairs were on
either side and the walls covered with pictures
portraits OF Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Alpine landscapes
and chromotint Of Bersadts Sunshine and Shadow"
which the artist had sent to Brigham Young We tOos
seats upon one OF Two UT
apparently MormOns from the country-waited on the
| opposite one.
| In few minutes Brigham Young came ont from hi,
office. At the first glance you would take him TO be
successful Bank Railroad President, and his quick,
straightforward, businessike manner carries out the
impression. After he is seated however and have
chance of observing his features closely the gns
OF quality with which Bank Presidents not accus
toned to DEAL begin to manifest themselves He is both
short and broad, but his thickness gives the impression
Of strength rather than cOrpuence Although sixtynne
years old, there is gray in his sandy hair and his
small blue eyes keen and full Of power. His head is
large and approaching to squareness in its FORM and his
complexion is strong healthy red. His thin, frmset
mouth and large jaws express indomitable energy.
The general expression Of his face at recent and
| watchful.
his greeting there the bandness of acquired
rather than natural courtesy. His voice is mild
toned and agreeable, and can imagine that he might
make himself fascinating to women, most Of whom find
peculiar charm in playful and purring lion. He said
but little at first, and thought seemed to be holding
himself secretly at bay for questions which did not IN
tend to ask Byand-by, when referred TO the similar
y Of the scenery to that Of Asia Minor and led the
veration to the Of the Territory he spoke
freely and uently and gave considerable informa
ton concerning the remote southern counties. On all
points Of material growth he frankly communicative
While he was talking studied his face sufficiently TO de-
tect the three chief qualities OF his nature-great pr
dence great determination, and great belief in himself
| During the visit his oldest son, Mr.. Joseph A. Young
came into the He Is tall, blonde good looking
man Of thirty very cheerful and courteous his de-
meanor. He is intelligent and practical, butt venture
to say-wi never develop into Prophet. Brigham's
| brother, John Young, an old. gray-headed man. also
came and, soon afterward hearing a bell ring some
where in the interior Of the house, took my leave Gu
| rious travellers, among them Englishmen, were
calling, shaking hands, and leaving again, during the
hour OF my interview, and the conversation made
fragmentary by so many Interruptions. register is
kept in tho room and the visitors always requested
to leave their names.
The Mormons, of course, feel anxiety regarding
the action Of Congress in their This those
instances where policy adopted for the purpose OF
making political capital is especially to be deprecated
There many features Of the question which impose
the greatest prudence upon those who deal with IT, The
Mormon attempt to associate Church and Civil Govern.
ment has been virtually given up and do think that
legislation designed TO keep them apart would now
be resisted. law against poygamy, however-espect
ally law retrospective in its character-woud cause
serious material disturbances apart from its moral as
poets. am satisfied that the solution OF this difficulty
may be safely left TO time The revelation favor OF
poygamy was undoubtedly promulgated to hasten the
increase of population, at time when the by
immigration scanty and costly and when pos-
sby Of Utah being overtaken by the Of the coun
try seemed very remote The people who accepted aud
practced it supposed they free do So it is
surely both mpotic and unchartable 20 yiet them
with law which would disgrace many women and
children.
tried to ascertain the extent to which porygamy is
practiced and also the proportion OF the sexes of tho
children born In it. The estimates varied between
IS cent OF the married population, while the general
impression that the ratio OF and female births
about the same as In monogamic marriages. II tho