Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-10-13
The knd of Norm On1sm.

For many years there has existed in the
far West a community practically indie
pendent of any laws or government excekt
their own. Isolated by immense distan'
Cos from the other States and Territories
the G. neral Government exercised but g
nominal Jurisdiction over this settlement
It grew up and increased in power and
numbers very much like some Of the
original colonies bat marked difference
existed between it and all other settle
ments previously established in this coun-
try. 1t was theo cracy like the at
tempted theocracy Of the Puritans of New
England-bub one of which a pretended
prophet was both the high priest and the
temporal ruler. This mans will, foisted
ton from Heaven, was the supreme law
md what distinguished, above all, the theo-
cracy from all 9th er modern civilized com
munities was the erection of polygamy
into dogma Of faith and religious prac
tice. Notwithstanding the Reproduction of
the world this strange people prospered
they obtained large acoet sions of Prose
Iytes chiefly from Europe There more
successful in maintaining peaceful rela-
tions with the Indians than other pio-
neers had ever been except. perhaps, the
Q1akers. They built large and we'll po-
Iced cities, and they boasted of enjoying
q greater freedom from lawIessness and
the grosser forms of vice than was to be
be found in any other civilized country.
Whether this claim YVES we'll fouDded is
much more than doubtful and in addi-
ton to the general decentralization that
must have been produced by poly
gamy, there was occasional revelations of
the dark and criminal means by which the
self styled saints maintained their supre-
macy over the common herd.
This state of things has continued with
little interruption until now, for the expe-
dition of Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston
led to no practical results and even after
o territorial governor and other federal of
icers we're sent to Utah, they did not in
terfere with the existing condition of af-
fairs. The Mormons, cut off by great de-
serts from the rest of the world, were al
lowed to manage their internal concerns
without molestation. Blu this isolation,
which was their safeguard, ceased upon
he construction of the Pacific Railrosd -
The Gentle element. as they called it,
which had previously been driven off or
Kept down by terror, began to flow in and
20 assume new Importance. At last the |
Federal Government has determined to |
put an end to the practice of polygsmy, |
md Brigham Yonng has been indicted, |
lnder the territorial statute for im moral |
nd licentio1s conduct. He can easily be |
upon his own confession. for in |
so-called sermon that be delivered last |
summer before largo Boston excursion
'arty and numerous other GentiIes, in
luding a United States Deputy Marshal.
70 boosted of being the husband of six teen
ives. But this is not the darkest ACCUSE
ion that may be brought against him.
'iIl Hickman. notorious member Of the
)anite band, has been arrested and has
1rned States evidence, divulgins many
the murders committed by order of the
lling Saints upon refractory Gentilcs s
nd Mormons. It is highly probable
lat his confessions will implicate j.;
righam Young. Whether the Mormons /
i'll quietly see their Prophet arrested, I
led and condemned for murder remains I
be seen. Some late advices represent ?
righam Young as protesting his readi- \
sss to submit to the law but yesterdays
spatches state that on Thursday he ad- G
essed q meeting of eight thousand Nor
ons, urging them to supply themselves il
oh ammunition, and invoking eursesupon b