The New York herald., 1873-04-11
| ror the Rocky Mountains, Brigham aimed al sstab-

lishi
AN INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT.
Utah at that time was Mexican territory and the
Prophet could without difficulty have taken ana
held all the soil he wanted and have bid denance
to the Mexican rulers; but the breaking out ~ .ns
war between that erete republic and the unteu
states overshrew all Brgham's plans LOT upon .ne
California md all the territory east TO the ronters
WAS ceded TO the United states, ana bileha.l anu
sss RI wsre s ta
From the FIRST occupation OF utah 20 me present
me the history o. brigham nG Young M oea aad soay Of
any portion OF this continent has been fraught with
incidents OF more thrilling Importance.
THE AMBITION OF THE PROPHET
has been sleepless, and he has never appeared
happy unless engaged in contention with the
federal government or its representatives, He
has dreaded peace among his people, and has
been very successful in keeping them united
ameng themselves by embroiling them in trouble
with their neighbors. He has had a fancy for a
row every few years, just to wake up the Saints
and teach them aithfulness. Heis
A MONARCHIST AT HEART
and in every thought and wish, and he detests
with uncompromislng hatred all popular and
no orue but that Of the priesthood-hs priesthood /
lle claims to be the mouthpiece OF God to the
Whole world and assumes that his sermons-blas-
phemous and filthy though they often are-are
divine revelations, and las good scripture as any
within the lids OF the Bible.v
During the first years of the occupancy OF the
Rocky Mountain country Brigham in common
with the rest OF the Saints, compelled to prac
tise the strlctest irugality. and his business
ms numerous wives and children. But he had
entire control OF the tithing paid by the people,
. anu has kept an open account lneIe anu mas
thus been enabled TO live comfortably. He is
possessed OF
FEARFUL GREED FOR MONEY;
he truly loves II, and no miser ever gloated over
ms gold with greater ecstasy. although he informs
the faithful that 'he likes money only for the good
he can do with it." and all that he has the Lord
1t Is believed that he is now worth many millions
OF dollars but he could never have accumulated
nli1li haA hn mot huh fhn
tithing office at his back and been perfectly un-
scrupulous 'in trade" There are few persons
can avoid it. Before the Mormons left Nauvoo
the Prophet, in Sunday sermon, answered some
who were curious respecting his means Of support,
that
HE s'LIvED BY sCHEMING."
He never uttered a greater truth. 1t has been the
characteristic OF has life.
The United States expedition to Utah In 1858 and
the building OF the telegraph lines and the Pacific
Railroad across the Continent afforded rare oppor-
tunltles to Brigham Young for making money, but
IN the private speculations nwhich he has engaged
HE HAS BEEN FAILURE.
He furnishes to the world an Illustration OF the
power OF organization, but his reputation as one of
the great men Of the world Is founded upon u mis-
taken estimate of his character. The organization
OF the Mormon priesthood originated with his pre-
decessor and to that and that only, is Brigham
Young indebted for his name and influence with
the people.
FEARED, BUT NOT LOVED
and his death is looked forward to by many OF the
prominent men OF Utah with something akin
to wish. His latest move shows to what
extent he can play the autocrat and how
much even the strongest men around him
have to bend before his fiat. There Is however,
one satisfaction to those who take an interest in
the experiment Of human government-Brigham
Young has taught the lesson that there can be no
enduring reign OF despotism in the present age The
Mormon prophet can have no successor Under
the rule OF Brigham Young, Jr, Mormonism must
crumbe. The father has been the "lion OF the
Lord,' and the son may encase himself in the lions
skin, but his VIII be the illustration again Of
the truthiuness Of the fable that points to another
animal. There could be but one Joseph Smith ana
there can be but one Brigham Young and one OF
each Is as much as any one generation should be
expected to endure.