Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-09-07

Brigham Young and HIS People,
The phrase which Dickens put into the
mouths of all Americans as descriptive of
pretty nearly every American Of promi-
hence fairly belongs TO Brigham Young.
The most obvious reflection that his death
suggests is that he really was tone of the
most remarkable men in the country"
In one aspect he was vulgar cheat, of
course. In his character he was essential
ly coarse and brutal without refinement,
without culture, without the finer instincts
of men he gave free rein TO the worst pas
sions of his own nature, and made the
worst passions OF other men his tools. Yet
he was a man of almost marvellous force Of
character of certain kind.
lie was a master of men, and he made
himself master with almost none of the
means usually employed TO that end. A
man of plain speech, with no gift of elo-
quence, he yet swayed men at his will with
his oratory. Without even the external APP
pearance Of sanctiiy, he imposed himself
upon his people as prophet and seucied
acceptance for doctrines and schemes the
most diabolical by vigorously asserting
that they were commanded in revelations
from God and denouncing uubeief as dead
ly sin. He established himself as a despot
and drew willing subjects from all parts of
tho world. He managed to retain the al
legiance of his people while openly oppress-
ing them for his own personal ends. He
assumed the power of an oriental despot,
and maintained himself in it without the
aid of tho traditions of ssnctity and ODE
dience which hedge eastern kings about
A coarse, vulgar man, whose common
origin was known 10 all his people, he yet
held his own against influences which
would have overthrown any monarch in
Chr istendom. He opposed civilization and
adv ancement successfully; he defed the
government of the United States, and re.
peatedly compelled it TO yield, and even to
invest him with its authority. He was a
man of considerable ability and of courage
and determination. He knew human ma
ture, too, aud especially the baser passions
of men, by which he protited and upon
which, as upon rock, he founded his
power.
He is dead now, and he has left no sue
cessor. 1t is in the very nature of things
ludt MS Iedlll Ndu sAlOuE
enough TO grasp the reins of despotic gov
eminent now that lie has relinquished his
hold upon them with his life, for a man
strong enough to take his place and WELD
his sceptre could not have lived under his
rule without coming into conflict with it
and bringing about controversy in which
one man must have fallen that the other
might reign.
The future of the people who, under his
control, have worked almost a miracle,
making a real desert TO blossom and bear
fruit, is yet uncertain but it is certain that
it will not be a continuation OF their past
history. Released from his control, and
deprived of his shrewd guidance, they can
not maintain themselves as they are. They
may break up into factions in disputes over
the succession, and so disappear or they
may accept the rule of that civilization
which they have opposed so long, and, re-
linquishing the polygamous practices
which alone arouse hostility against them,
continue TO exist as a peculiar religious
sect, under some prophet or bishop who
shall confine his domination TO spiritual
affairs. This would be, in worldly sense,
their wisest course. The hostility which
threatens them with destruction would dis
appear with the disappearance of their ille-
gal and immoral social system, and in the
preservation of their church organization
unbroken they would retain many material
advan tages which disintegration would
take away from them. There can be little
doubt that sooner or later their absurd faith
will perish as intelligence shall increase
among thsm but it will be better for them,
in all material respects at least If 1t shall
die gradually by means of their gradual
emancipation from lis decisions, than If its
death shall be violently brought about by
disintegration.-N.Y Y. Erening Post