The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-06

the interview He commenced 20 relate the circum-
stances Indians killing the emgrants, but did
not Intimate single word about the whites taking
part In the killing When he commenced to speak OF
the manner OF the deed aiher stopped HIM, saying,
that the rumor had already reached him was so
horrfying that he could bear hear recital Of t.
BRIGHAM YouNG-I never knew the real facts OF this
affair until within the last few years. myself pro-
posed to Governor Cummings, who came here soon
alter tho massacre. render him and Judge Cradci-
baugh every assistance in hunting up tho perpetrators
and bringing them TO justice and II Mr. Cradeloausn
anything this affair he must know that TO
be true That proposition made IN the spring
of 1856
DANIEL H. WELLs--Therc arc plenty OF witnesses TO
that, Tor heard him make II in public.
CORRESPONDENT ITO Brigham Youngl-What OF your
own experience as Governor and ex-oticio Indian
Agent At thc time?
brigham YorNG-G overnor Cummings took II away
from me. This point difficult TO reach from
Salt Lake. and BESIDES according TO the rumors that
reached u.s. the people thought themselves that they
would do well II they escaped the vengeance OF Inc
United States troops The burden OF these rumors
was that the Mormons TO be massacred
CONSEQUENTLY what do you ascribc the mas
sacre?
BRIGHAM YoUSG-If you were to inquire OF the
people who live hercabouts and lived IN the country
IL
to what l have heard, that some Of this Arkansas
company boasIed that they had had the promise from
tho United States that the Mormons were to be used
up BY the troops and they hal Doasted, toe,
having helped to kill Hiram and Joseph Smith and the
Mormons at Missouri, and that they never meant TO
TO the Territory until similar scenes were enacted
here This, II true, may have embtered the feelings
OF those took part the massacre and tho prob
abilities that Lee and his coreres took advantage
OF facts and the disturbed state OF the country
to accomplish their desires for plumber, which under
other circumstances would not have been gratided
coRREsPovpgSr-HAve you opinion OF Kl!ngen-
smiths testimony?
BRIGHAM YousG-I do not know anything about IT,
ConnEspoSDRST-How was it that Leo was at last
and not at arst convicted by Mormon jurys
BRIGHAM YoUSG-Thc supposition Is that there was
not evidence enough against him at the hrst, that
there sufficient evidence against hun ut the last
trial and that the people OF Utah could not obtain JUS
tice with any othcr jury
THE DEVIL AND AGENTS DID 1T.
CoRREsroxpESr-Consid that your people be-
I,evc they get their inspiration through you, do they
not themselves responsible to you Tor their
acts VIVA, excuses Thorn for crimes
BRIGHAM YouSG-what causes men TO steal or COM
NIT any sing Do prompt themg No; but the devil
and his agents do All evil Doing is contrary to our
covenants and obligations God and to one another
ne members OF the Church.
ConagspoSDENr--Do you believe blood atone
mentg
BRIGHAM YouNG-I do, and believe that Leo has
not half atoned Tor his great crime The Saviour died
for OF the world by shedding his blood, and
then believe that he who sheds the blood Of man
wiliully by man shall his blood be shed. In other
words capital punishment Tor offences deserving dcath
according to laws OF the land And we believe the
stead of by hanging. II the murderers OF Joseph
Smith were come to me now, giving themselves up
would not feel justified in taking their lives, but
would feel justified having them taken TO Illinois
and there tried for murder.
LEE RECEIVED AUTHORITY.
ConEEsroSDENr-Recurring to the Mountain
Meadows assacre you satisfied that Lee could not
have received previous intimanon from tho north
as to what might in tho Of the Arkansas
company vino coming down from Salt LakeS
BRIGHAM YoUSG-None that have any knowledge
OF, and certainly none from me.
CogREsroSpENr-You did not give any direction
whatever as TO the disposition of the emsrants'
effects,
BRIGHAM Youyc-I knew no more about them than
YOU nor do to-day have heard tina, they navo
been made use OF, which suppose Is correct. King
eusmith who Mormon and an active Bishop,
shared IN the spos and because he held such posi-
ton 1t Is believed that tho Church used II.
CoRREsrosnESr-Was he in the Church,
BRIGHAM YouxG-No he was only poor, miserable
sinner.
CoRREspoNDRNT-In this southern country do the
Bishops the functions OF Justices Of tho PeaceY
BRIGHAM YouyG-I do not know that any OF them
do; II any do 1t not because they arc bishops but
because they arc elected Justices according the
laws OF the iand.
rha nfain
was unique that many curious questions are asked
in regard to it--ior instance, why tho Indians
angry against the Arkansas emigrants onlyr Other
emigrant parties were passing through the country
and were moested?
BRIGHAM YoUSG-As understand II, for poisoning
and poisoning dead cattle, which some of the
Indians aferward ate OF died. would, however,
refer you 10 the settlers Of and Meadow creeks
who lived there at the time
QUESTION FEEDING EMIGRANTx
CONSCIOUSNESS 1t true that George A. Smith ad
vised the people not to sell their grainY
BRIGHAM YouSG-Wo have been of breadstuff
and the Of his counsel to grain
for feeding animals neither to sell 1t to cmgrants for
that purpose; but such word was uttered by
him not to sell It Tor breadstuG We have always
practice selling wheat and flour to the cmigrants
for food ever since came hero. And l will say
the defiance Of the world TO prove that the
heads Of the Church had anything TO do with the
Mountain Meadows massacre.
MORMON CHURCH RESPONSIBILITY.
CoRgEspoyDEST-With regard to Haight and Hgbee.
Have you anything say to their for get
ting out OF the country?
BRIGHAM YoUNG-No, sir. l presume however, they
are trying TO evade the law.
CoRREspoyDEST-You do not consider yourself in the
least degree responsible Tor them?
I'm, Nnf NJ, cir thunM Mr.
Beccher any man OF your city 49,
CoRREspoNDEST-It Is understood at the East that
the Mormon Church is structure far more closely
cenentcd than this would mply-an exclusive organ
izaton, standing in the midst of the continent and
governed from the head downward by n system which
renders It's leaders peculiarly responsible pco
pie over whom they preside.