Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-11-23
THE MORNIONS.

No "social topie''-1s at the this mo
ment absorbing more attention than
that which involves the perpetuation
of pelygamy as practiced by the Nor
mons. The action of the United
States Courts during the past few
weeks is a blow at the foundation of
this system under which the whole so
cial fabric of the Utah Mormons is
staggering. Its leaders are arraigned
for polygamous practices which United
States law, controlling as it does in
United States Territories, does not
tolerate. Brigham Young, the chief
of this peculiar people, is arraigned at
the bar of justice to answer for what is
deemed his licentiousness. He has
given bail, and, it iseasserted, has fed
Late dispatches assert that an oxpedi-
ton is fitting out to pursne him
Another prominent Mormon has been
convicted, under a similar indictment,
and sentenced according to law. 9th
ers have been arrested on the charge
of murder.
There is commotion in the camp of
Saints, and the. Gentiles are anathema-
tizcd and threatened Many of the
latter, fearing that attempts will be
made to execute their threats, have
sent their families away. United States
troops are concentrating at Salt Lake
in sufficient force to suppress any out
break. But Mormonism in the United
States-or at least polygamy-seems
doomed. Notwithstand 9 the growth of
what are called "Free Ideas," and the
propagation of "Free Love" doctrines,
the moral and social sense of the peo-
pie of this country sustains this war on
the plurality wives system, and re-
fuses to regard it as religious creed
to be respected. II the voice of the
people is the voice of God-as some
affect to believe-then this assertion of
public opinion will be found irresisti-
BILE, and Mormonism, so long as It toll
crates polygamy, will cease to be re
cognized as a religion.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Is about seventy years of age. He
was elected by the Council of the
Twelve Apostles, in 1914, to succeed
Joseph Smith. In 1845, the Illinois
Legislature having revoked the char
ter given Nauvoo, their home, the
Saints sent explorers to locate a new
home among the Rocky Mountains
where they might live in peace, The
Great Salt Lake Valley was selected
and thither went Brigham Young in
1847, arriving in the Valley July "a
He was followed by the main body of
Mormons who arrived in the fall of
I848. Then began the wonderful sys-
TEN of Improvement and self support,
under the executive direction and or
gantzlng power of Brigham Young,
which has commanded the admiration
of all who have witnessed its practical
results. In 1850 this settlement
was admitted into the Union as Ter
ritory and Brigham Young was ap-
pointed Governor by President Fill
more. But the United States District
Judges appointed were distrusted by
the Mormons and driven out of the
Territory.
Brigham Young was finally suspend
ed from his office as Governor and Col
Steptoe, of the United States army, ap
pointed as his successor. In 1854 he
arrived there, but was compelled to
withdraw from the country. From
1854 to 1856 there was continuous
trouble between the Mormons and
United States authorities. In 1857
! Alfred Cumming was appointed Gov
ernor, and a force of $500 United
States troops sent to enforce obedi-
ence to the laws of the United States.
The Saints resisted these, attacked
their supply trains, and forced the
troops to winter some distance from
Salt Lake. A compromise was effect
ed in 1858, and the Mormons submit
ted to Federal authority. Since that
time there has been more or less oi
conflict, Brigham Young being the
head of Mormon theocracy and the
inspirer Of Mormon action, and the
supposed instigator to deeds of dark
ness in behalf of the perpetustion Of
his power.
Meantime proselytes have been made
to this faith in all parts of the world
and accessions to the Saints have con
, timed in large Church up to the pres
ent time. Young, Notwithstanding
the detection of cliques, hss managed
: to retain supreme control, nearly, o
his people until quite recently
Coarse in nature and fiber, he is un
! doubtedly equally strong and cxecu
] tive And whatever may be said o
4 his peculiar doctrines and of thei
n moral tendencies, it cannot be denie
:, that be has held an admirable rein up
:, on his people, compelling industry an
:, economy, and, aside from polygamY
- creating a moral atmosphere within til
domain of his power not unworthy {
g imitation.
Z THE MORMON TEMPLE.
o This building is in the form of a
= elipse, with all extreme length of 25
If feet and width of $50; extreme higl
9 of roof, 1S feet; hight of ceiling,
s feet The roof frame rests on
cut stone picrs,-Ghont II feet apal
Il and 90 feet in hight. which gives 4
q feet spring to the arch. The stand is
a the west end; the floor is level for
distance of 20 feet in front of tn
q stand, thence gradually rising to til
east end, where the seats are fe,
= above the level. 1t accommodate
# about 10000 people, ample provisio
4 being made for ingress or egress. TIL
4 root presents the appearance of POI
dcrous half globe, slightly compress
ed. We believe it is not yet complet
: ed in accordance with the original dt
sine, as shown in the Illustrations.
The Mormon Theateris not peculia
% ly noteworthy in its Internal arrange
= ment and external appearance.
ZION HOUSE,