Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-04
Daily 1Stnnebet Nournal
AU G u s II A.
THURSDAY MORNING., Jan. 4, 1872.
BRIGHAM UNDER ARREST.


The announcement by telegraph that
Brigham Young is under the surveillance
of United States Marshal, though not
unexpected, has still an air of novelty
about it. This astute and able leader in
the Mormon delusion has SO long been
successful in his plans, defying the laws
Of the country, evading arrest and punish
ment. and building up such a wonderful
city and community amid the mountains
and deserts of the West, that he almost
grew in the popular imagination to be
considered invulnerable to any process by
the government.
But when the Pacific railroad pushed
its way through the region in which Salt
Lake City is situated there came. a change
in Brigham's prospects. Light shone into
the dark places. 1t no longer took weeks
to communicate with parties at Salt Lake.
The mysterious taking off of persons who
were not friendly TO Mormonism or its
high priest was not easily effected with
the railroad and telegraph in active oper-
alton. A new class of people began to
make their appearance in Utah and to set
tie in the Mormon locality. The Gen
tiles" increased, and at the same time the
polygamous doctrine felt the weakening
effect of their teaching and example. The
opposers of the Mormons became bolder
They not only attacked the creed but the
acts OF the Saints" and at last the
Prophet is in the keeping of an officer Of
the United States and will be held to ar
swer for the crime Of murder.
There are suspicious that the condition
of society in Utah is not yet such as to
allow fair trial of the Prophet. We fear
that this will prove to be correct. The
time since the railroad began to dcvelope
its regenerating influence has been too
short to make general or thorough work.
The leaven has well begun operating, but
it requires more time. The extirpation of
the ideas which Mormonism upholds
must be the enlightenment of each indi-
vidual judgment and conscience. Force
cannot eXpel them, but when mothers
and wives, who have felt the evils of polyg-
amy, and children who are sharers with
them, shake off the delusion which has
bound them, soul and body, the over
| throw of Brigham will be complete.
We shall not therefore be surprised to
witness the escape of the Prophet at the
hands of the law. The government Off
GERS are finding impediments to a faithful
discharge of their duty. The criminal is
ostensibly under arrest, but his Jail is the
luxurious apartments and ample privileges
and attendance of his own house. The
Difference paid to his person does not ar
que very searching trial. His immense
wealth and influence and his mystical
character, shake the courage and blind
the eyes Of his prosecutors. Had they
the popular sentiment of the locality to
support them they might proceed success
fully, but the evidences are that the pub
lie temper is not ripe for justice to be
done upon Young. We fear that the pros
ecution will end in farce. If it does we
must possess our souls in patience until
the yotares OF Mormonism lose the
scales from their eyes, and are ready
to join with christian people in casting
OUT and down their false gods. Though
Brigham escape the law, there will be nc
escape for polygamy. That is doomed,
though he evade the halter.