The New York herald., 1871-09-27
The Apostle Cannon AvOwS in Court that the
Revelations Of Joseph Smith nre Para
mount to the Laws Of Congress-
The Mormon Trouble Reduced to a
Question Of Obedience.
TIE SUBJECT FAIRLY DISCUSSED.
Human Sacrifice for Sin To Be the Next
Claim Of The MOrmOuS.

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 20, 1871.
The crisis has come, and we are glad OF It. The
time has come to settle the question Of law and
fanatclsm-w which shall rule in Utah. The issue
cannot be doubtful: the law must be magnided. In
former letter Iioresnadowed the crisis that was
inevitable at the opening Of the Court. The tele-
graph furnished you the text Of Judge McKean's
charge TO the Grand Jury, brief and pointed. This
need not repeat, and 1 come to the question
direct as it Is proper that the nation should truth
fully and fully know the issue that threatens con-
test that may go further than empty, high.sounding
words.
THE PLACE OF HOLDING THE COURT.
Two years ago, when the predecessor Of the pre-
sent Chief Justice decided that the Territorial Mar
shal was not the chief executive ollcer OF the
Unlteu States District Court Brigham instructed
his Territorial Marshal to close tue court room and
let the United States get place 10 hold their own
courts. This not only an exceedingly foolish
burst of temper but Its execution exhibited the folly
that ever characteristic of slavlsh submission The
Sheriff in charge OF the county Court House had
ceived his instructions while the Court was in
recess from noon to two p NJ. He accord
ingy locked the door, and when the Chiei Justice
and The members OF the bar, jury, witnesses, &C,
presented themselves at the proper time OF assem-
bling here was no admission. Chief Justice Will
son, who had done everything that he possibly
could 20 peaceaby solve this difficulty between The
Utah Legislature and Congress, felt that not only
he but justice to the nation was insulled, and
demanded the immediate opening OF the court
house doors. The Sheriff at first refused but when
the Chief Justice asked him If he personally as
sumed the responsibility of that action he then
saw that nc would be forced to give Brigham as his
Instructor, have to meet tire consequences in his
own person. SherG Burton immed iatey opened
the doors and the Court finished its session in that
building.
This gross insult and exhibition OF what would be
done II the Mormon leader could have his own way
were too much to risk again. and The United States
Marshal was instructed TO 1nd tuoiher place.
Every building was under the influence Of the
Church, and nothing could be obtained but great
hayloit. over livery stable. that had plaster on
neither walls nor ceiling. without Joss of time this
place was engaged and put into decent kind OF
shape ami with the exception of occasional rows
among the quadrupeds below and the running out
and In OF carriages-al OF which are as distinctly
heard as if there was only paper partition the
United states Court House Is suitable enough for
business.
After forcing the United States Marshal to this
place the Mormon papers are forever teemng with
their sneers and contemptuous language about "the
Court above the stable,' and ''lhe Grand Jury room
that is sawdusted and fitting for the work of in
QUESTION" A similar thing occurred with the use
OF the Court House jail. Tae United States Marsna
was denied the use Of 1t for his prisoners and he
was forced TO take them to Camp Douglas and lodge
them IN the military calab0ose, and now when Nor
mons are indicted they Hy 10 concealment and de-
clare that they VIII go 10 a military prison.
These facts are indlsputabe, and are given here
that the public may know the value OF the hue and
cry put o1t pJ The Mormon press against the Court
and Its proceedings III these matters.
TIE APOSTLE CANNON IN COURT.
Among the persons summoned as Grand Jury
his prominent position of editor OF the Netrs-the
mout1pece OF Brigham-and from The fact that he
is Brshalns most confidential man, created great
deal OF interest 'in The Court above the stablei
when he made MS appearance. When his name
vas caiei the court room was for moment all
states District Attorney, Mr.. Baskin, spoke there
WAS breatie5s silence.
Two months ago Mrs. Harriet Hawkins brought
charge against her husband lor adultery, as he
had taken two young Mormon girls Tor wives and
Hawkins was held TO BAH In the sum of $1,000 to
await the acton Of the Grand Jury at this session OF
the court 1t was, therefore, necessary IN cmpan-
clling The jury that there should be no misunder.
standing on this point and that the ends OF justice
should neither be retarded nor defeated by the plea
o1 some fanatic on that Grand Jury tnat his religious
conscience was In harmony with the accused. Win
Inis M IN view every person summoned as juryman
was inierrogated.
In a former letter boldly asserted that the Nor.
mons were Systematically taught to lasify and TO
mentally reserve, In a court OF justice, when any
leader among taem or any principle of The church
was al stake. could not have expected so soon
such verlncation as that given by the apostle
Cannon yesterday. Mr Cannon, be 1t observed, Is
not an immoral man outside OF his fattn. He Is a
gentleman who would command the respect OF the
hgnest circles OF society, and ne Is everything but
a coward personally. He Is Straightforward, hon.
oIaole gentleman and this frankly acknowledged he
shows all the more in court the intensity OF this fan
atlcis a aud TO what Illuminating degradation 1t
forces the best of men.
QUESTIONED ON THE HIGHER LAW
q Are you a member OF the Church OF Jesus
Christ vi LatterDay Saints A. am
=. is not poygamy one OF the fundamental doc.
ulnes ol mat 'hurchy A. 1t is.
U 30 you believe that polygamy Is % revelation
from God TO that ChurcnY A. do.
Y. Which do you consider paramount, the reve-
iation OF lie law oil 1862 passed by Congress- A.
Ine revelation.
q. Would you consider man living in polyoamy
guilty Oh aiullefy under The statutes OF Ctahi A.
would not.
q. Would you obey or be governed by the reveia.
ton or te law A. do not think that question per-
lhenti tle question mas never been presented: do
NOT KNOW which 1 would obey; my sentiments are
la those simple questions and In the answers to
tnein is lhe whole difficulty between the United
states ;os, courts ana the Mormons. Through yonr
widely Circulated paper III the old World and In the
New TINS mormon question Is at last brought down
10 It's oilciai bearing IN the smallest possible com.
pass.
Where Is there groundwork for the cry OF persecu.
lonY Every thing OF personal character extrane.
question OF obedience TO law Mr. Cannon as mon
an authority as there is in the Mormon Church after
paramount 10 the law OF Congress. lie could do no
otherwise than avow it. The advancement of poly.
gany, ITS advocacy and Its defence, has been his
principal occupation for ten years. lie Is to-day the
man delegated 10y Brigham Young TO represent him
IN oiicialing 10 all plural marriages. lie has done
more man any OF The apostles 10 set at
defiance the government Of the United
states and the Jaws of congress believing, as lie
doubtless does, In the revelations OF his prophet
But II man OF his intelligence and prominence has
10 pTevarcae, as he does In Lis last answer, when
pushed 10 the point Of ayowng open disregard OF
law or the denial o his faith what Is TO be expected
OF the ignorant masss
HIS answer IS first evasive''I - do not think that
question pertnent;r then for the moment fearing ro
commit himself and the church lie hestates:-"T do
not know which would obey.r He did know
which he would obey; he had already avowed
mat the revelation was his higher law
and then with the bush on his counieuance when
he was looked at by scores OF men who had heard
him time and again declare that he would 90 10
prison. rot and die before he would yield his fah 10
Congress, he, half ashamed at his momentery weak.
ness, added, my sentiments are known TO the
public.n - =. q ---t ''" " ~
CONGRESSIONAL LAW MUST De opEYED.
The apostle Cannon has done good service hy his
answers, aud they are tlmey. Congress will soon as
sembie ana the question Will come home TO every
one with forcc-Can the revelations OF aDy man be