The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-10
VIEWS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

The Government and the Citizens or
Utah I'm Peaceful Relationship Inter-
ference I'm Mormon Affairs II the Laws
Are Obcycd and the United states Court
Ii Not AlOlcsted.
WASHINGTON, April o 1873.
The resignation OF Brigham as trustee OF the
Mormon Church has attracted, as 1t would
naturally be expected, the attention Of the prom
nent officials in Washington, for there is not o
question to-day before the government superior to
the Mormon question. Brigham has been regarded
by those in authority here as the spinal column OF
the Mormon Church, and, II he has abdicated IN
earnest, the mainstay OF the polygamous insti
tutions, 1t Is believed. has been broken.
The President has never disguised his
true sentiment toward the Mormon doc
trine OF polygamy, and, since his election
TO the office OF Chief Magistrate, has several times
alluded TO the blight on Western civilization In al
lowing the Institution to be perpetuated. with the
conviction that Brigham's exodus from Utah Woud
weaken the Church and its orthodox followers,
your correspondent called on the President to-day
to ascertain from him what he thought OF the MOI
mon question now and the probable resignation OF
Brigham Young, and what effect would this course
have on the policy OF the government in its treat
ment OF the Utah question. The following was
given as the views Of the administration, with no
reservation as to their publications
SO long as the people Of Utah are quiet and law
abiding they will not be disturbed, but that the
administration will feel bound to uphold the au-
therity Of the Government and Its Court in that
Territory. II any conflict should occur between
the territorial and the United States Courts-what
cennict might arise need not be anticipated at this
time-it is enough to know that the slightest inter-
ference will be promptly checked
THE PEACEFUE RELATIONS
icfin hat
Utah can only be affected by their own acts. If
they obey the laws there Is nothing for the govern
ment to do, or that the government proposes to
do, in respect to them. The only thing the govern
nent has desired Congress to do was to take
away the authority given by their Territorial
law to interfere with the selection of jurors,
and make provision for their selection
so as not to leave that power In the
hands OF the MormOns for jurors. The decision of
the Supreme Court sustains their claim, and OF
course 1t must be respected. At present the United
States. Courts are comparatively powerless; they
are doing little or nothing In cases of criminal
nature, AMI not near so much In civil cases as II
the jurors could be satisfactorily selected. No
serious question other than this exists, and unless
o conflict occurs between the Courts there is moth
ing changed in the attitude OF the government
toward Utah. AS before stated II IT becomes neces
sary to employ military force to uphold the
Courts, or enforce the laws, 1t win be DONE
Respecting the resignation OF Brigham Young
there has been nothing onlcialy received from the
federal officers at Salt Lake City. That he will
leave the Territory there is reasonable ground for
doubt but whether he goes or remains 1t would
appear that that
CHANGE IN MORMON INSTITUTIONS
will be made which has SO frequently been urged
should be made to make the M0rmOns part OF the
American body polite. If Brigham Young has
absolutely resigned his authority and control of
the Church 1t would be reasonable to presume that
there will be more liberal spirit difYused among
the MOrmons.