New-York tribune., 1870-09-22
DANGER or REBELLION IN UTAH

Two very important steps have just been
taken by the United States authorities in
Utab. We refer to the proclamation of Gov.
Sbafffr against the Mormon militia system
and the decision of Chief-Justice Mexican
against the Mormon jury system. The en-
forcement of Gov Shafler's proclamation in
wolves the destruction of the existing militia
organization of the Territory of Utah, which
has been SO carefully nursed and energetically
maintained by Brigham Young during the
last quarter of century. 1t peremptorily
probibits all musters, drills, or gatherings of
militia or armed persons of any nature or
description in the Territory, and it also orders
the immediate delivery to him of all arms or
munitions of war belonging either to the
United States or to the Territory of Utah,
now in the hands of the militia. 1t further
proyides that, in case military force is needed
for the preservation of ORDER the Marshal
shall make requistiOn upon Gen. COnnor,
whom he appoints COmmander-in-C Chief OF the
Militia of the Territory of Utah.
We shall very soon see whether the Nor
mons will obey these orders, or resist their
execution. The grand annual muster of the
Mormon militia would in the usual order of
things, take place in few days. To this mus
ter at Salt Lake City the men gather from
all parts of the Territory, bringing with them
their arms and supplies. They remain in camp
for about week, are constantly drilled and re-
viewed, and when not thus actively employed
are engaged in praying, preaching, or listening
to prayers, sermons or speeches. 1t is in view
of this annual muster that Gov. Shatfer has
issued his proclamation, being determined
that it shall not take place this
year. His intention is clearly shown by
the appointment of Gen. ConnOr as
Commander-in-C Chief of Territorial militia.
Gen. Connor (known as "Pat Connor'D was
for some years in command of the regular
United States troops in Utah, with headquar-
ters at Salt Lake City, and always showed
himself to be the bitterest enemy OF Mormon
ism, the Mormon leaders, and Mormon preten-
sions. He was constantly in shot water' with
the Mormons, and never concealed his eager
ness to try conclusions with Young, in the
name of the United States. He will not now
be backward in enforcing the proclamation;
and it is doubtless to this reason that he owes
his appointment. We do not consider his ap-
pointment an act of discretion or wisdom; and
we shall be agTeeably pleased if it does not
quickly result in serious difficulty.
The judicial decision of Chief-Justice Nc
Kean is also a severe blow against the Nor
MONS but is strictly in accordance with law
and the enactments of Congress. Under Ter
rtorial or Mormon legislation, the jury system
was wholly in the control of certain local
Mormon functionaries, who always managed it
so as to suit their own ends, by multiplying
any obnoxious laws of the United States, and
putting the Gentle" population wholly un-
der Mormon power. But by the Mexican de-
cision the District Courts of Utah are de-
clared to be United States Courts, and it is
the United States Marshal, acting under order
of the District Judge, who is hencefOrth en-
powered to summon the Grand Jury. This is
not only step in the way of securing justice
to the Gentle population, but it will, doubt
less, be the means of securing the Indictment
of polygamic offenders against the often-cn-
acted but never-enforced ant-polygamy laws
of Congress.
We hope that President Grant will watch
the proceedings of Gov. Shaffer and Gen.
ConnOr. There is no necessity whatever, under
present circumstances, for the Governments
coming into military collision with the Nor
mons. There is no necessity for breaking up
their system of Territorial militia, which is
utterly harmless, 80 far as we are concerned.
The Mormon problem will be peacefully solved
within a very few years, and it would be in
famous and criminal to stir up difficulties about
it which might not be easily allayed. We
would rather trust to the Pacific Railroad than
to warlike officials to insure its speedy end.