The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-08-21
The Mountain Meadows AtrOcity.

Athhal5 ht stIauEtSi luct huoui ne Aiuuuitiu
Meadows massacre is that eighteen years should
have elapsed before a judicial inquiry was made
into the nature of the transaction, or a single indi-
vidual was put upon his trial charged with compli-
city in that deed. During all these years the prin-
cipal facts have been known. Il was known that
more than one hundred men, women and children
were murdered; the time manner and place were
well known. A great number Of revolving particu-
lars were known-facts which went to show one Of
most brutal massacres in the history Of this or any
other country. The perpetrators, or a majority Of
them, we're disguised white men, who it was reported
and generally believed acted under orders from the
Mormon authorities.
Whoever were the perpetrators, it is evident that
they used ali possible means to suppress inquiry
into the facts. They were successful for eighteen
years. Had this massacre occurred in any other
part of the country, the facts would have been dis
disclosed before a year had elapsed. When the
Sioux Indians, residing in Minnesota, mastered
some ten years ago, less than half as many persons
as were killed at Mountain Meadows, an i~nvestiga-
ton followed at once. Every Indian on whom any
suspicion Of guilt rested was apprehended. Twenty
seven Indians we're executed on the scafold; others
had lighter punishments. Dreadful as was the deed
which they committed it was less atrocious than that
perpetrated at Mountain Meadows. There was no
white flag in the former case, and the murders wereI
not committed through any religious fanaticism.
If a wild tribe of Indians were to murder a hun
dred whites, they would simply invite determination.
The Apaches are hunted down because here and
there they waylay and kill a citizen.
If Lees evidence stood alone il would not make
out q case. lie is q Mormon, who is more interested
in telling half truths than whole ones. But his tes-
timony is corroborated by Smith, who was COM
mander Of the Nauvoo legion, and it is intimated /
that it will be confirmed by others The defense it(
is said, rely on certain technical informalitieS
for the acquittal Of the defendants. But the facts \
once established, there will be no a~cquittal in the
larger sense. The public will then trace these facts
out in all their relations. II the authorities are
found to be responsible for the massacre, It Is al
most certain that an end Of Mormon power at Salt
Lake will speedily come. No community can pre-
serve the integrity Of its social and civil polity which
can be made responsible for such n dreadful crime.
In this aspect of the case, the trial is one Of great
Heretofore we have had recriminations
the old story Of the massacre has been repeated in
forms. Now, for the first time, the case IL
to judicial scrutiny.
It is worthy Of note that q majority Of the Jury
are Mormons. 1t is doubtful if any conviction will
except in Lees case. who being a Mormon
and having admitted his own guilt. may get little
from either Mormon or Gentle. The
is not so much concerned about the jury as
he facts. Forty millions Of people viii constitute
he jury as soon as the facts are developed The
most important work the Court now sitting can
perform is to develop the facts. The country
will take care Of the results. Up 70 this time
of the testimony has been given by Nor
mons who have been disiellowshiped. or, in the
sngusge Of the Saints, cut Of from the Church, 4
This testimony may yet be impeached. But taken
Is it now reads it goes to confirm the leading d.
of Gentles for years past
1t is TO be remembered also that not one adult
person was left alive in that company Of immigrants
o tell the story. Only the small children were pre-
erved who would outgrow the recollection Of the
rsgedy. The facts can only be got from those who
eyewitness, and these are all implicated in
he guilt Of the transaction The Mormon polity is
1t stake in this trial. But with all the efforts at
Impression, a part OF the terrible tale has probably
,een disclosed.-S. f. Bulletin.
Another disgraceful suttee, or the burning Of a
widow with her dead husband. has taken place
ecently in a small village near Lucknow, India.
The particulars, as given by the Times Of India,
re disgusting. The officials Of the English gov
.rnment in India have arrested about thirty per.
ons under the charge Of murder or completely
herewith.
1t has been stated in the leading papers Of a
Europe that in order % arrest emigration from !
Germany Prince Bismarck has been Offering inn
,erial lands for sale in small lots ~ low prices.
This, ii was hoped. would stop the tide by show
NC the working classes Of Germany that they
.ould live as well there as in the United States.
But the plan did not succeed. The lands were not
aiken. Even the agricultural hands that remain
It home are not disposed 10 till he earth when
hey can find more TemuncFatiye employment. 4
etter was lately received in New York upon this
from a highly intelligent gentleman in
russia, in which the writer says that field hands
ust now can make more in working upon forts
md railroads than in using the plough and scyihe.
md, therefore, the sale of land is extremely dali
md languid. Not until all these improvements
ire completed can il be seen whether the man 81
prefer government lots on The Bismarck a
to the advantages obtained under the home
tead law Of the United States. One thing il