The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-14


flag, and the loose militia organization of the
anti-Grant army will be outfanked and fought
out, as was General Lee by Grants veterans
from the Wilderness to Appomattox Court
House.
The state Of Dcseret-The Last Chance
for Mormon PolyGamy.
There is fair prospect of TIA country
again being occupied with the discussion. of
the Mormon question at the national capital.
The irrepressible Prophet, Brighais. ,exhbits
Enthusiastically q determination to have Utah
admitted into tho Union as State, WHILE on
the other hand, the parties opposing this
Statehood are marshalling their forces to give
him battle. From all appearances the conflict
upon which they are entering will be waged
with great earnestness, and quite likely, too,
with considerable vindictiveness
While such extensive preparations are max
ing for fight review of the positions of the
belligerents and what is likely to result from
such contest is both timely and appropriate.
On the Mormon side there is but one argu-
ment adduced for the admission Of the estate
Of Deseret" into the Union. We outnumber,
says Brigham Young, in population other
Territories which were advanced to the dig
nifty and position of States we are perfectly
able to meet the expenses of State govern
ment; and 1--WE demand" adds his apostle
Pratt, that our sovereignty be recognized.
After this follows the threadbare allegation
that the federal officers in the Territory of
Utah have always been hostile to the Mormon
trouble with the parent government, and that
the liberty and lives of the apostles and proph-
cts are constantly endangered so long as
federal rule is continued over Utah.
To properly impress Congress with the i'm
portance of these statements Brigham has
routine of creating State government, and
has delegated his favorite apostle, Elder Cam
non, and two "Gentiles" to bear before the
nations representatives memorial praying
for admission into the Union, together with a
constitution ratified by the people. These
documents have already reached the Commit
tees on Territories and have been printed for
the use of Congress-. On the manner of doing
things Brigham has greatly improved since the
Utah mines have drawn near to him politicians
from both the Eastern and Western States,
and little fault can be found with the
order in which thu estate of Deseret' has
been created. But while all this is frankly
admitted there are other points on which the
opposition to this Statehood must be heard.
The national party" in Utah, as the oppo-
stion are styled, represent that no free State,
In the republican sense of the term, can pos
sibly exist in Utah at the present time, and
they, therefore, pray Congress to continue
over them the federal Territorial organization
until an increased population and the changes
which the development of the country is GER
tain to make have time to operate upon the
Mormon mind with regard to their obligations
as citizens of the United States, and thus war
rant the change from Territorial tutelage to
State sovereignty.
The strife in Utah is not the contest of
numbers, or the Mormon victory would at
once be secure. 1t is a battle for principle
it is, in the language of Chief Justice
Mexican, "Theocracy versus Federal Rule"
On small scale Utah to-day is the counter
part Of the Papal States with the difference
that the successor of st. Peter has actually
been a temporal sovereign, while Brigham as
yet only aims to be one. The States of the
Papal See were never more under the absolute
government of the Holy Father than the Utah
settlements have been under Brigham Young
and to admit that Territory into the Union
now would not only be to restore Brigham's
prestige, but it would clothe him with power
which would enable him to carry out I'M
checked every within and fancy of his tickle
faith; and of this the loyal citizens of Utah
have fearful dread.
Very unfortunately for Brigham, the means
he has used to create this new estate of Desc
ret" though Intended to present an appear
ance of fairness, bear evident marks of very
doubtful morality. When the Convention was
called for the purpose of framing constitution
for the proposed estate" about dozen Gentle
gentlemen were nominated along with the
faithful Mormon brethren. When the election
day arrived the usual Church machinery was set
in motion and the people voted the straight
ticket" giving even to General Connor-the
man of all men whom for years Brigham has
most dreaded-the same number of votes as
those given to the most faithful and honored
of the apostles. The purpose of this policy
was too easily read. In the Convention, too,
the claim to growing liberality and change in
Brighams policy exploded over the discussion
upon the voting at elections. The very obiec-
tionable procedure Of numbering the tickets
Of voters, by which every ballot cast is trace
able, was maintained with all the tenacity 81
the past This style of voting might not be
objectionable allawhpra whera mon dare In