The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-03

shelters and to cultivate the soil. A site wa
chosen for the town, and two miles squar
were staked off into streets about eight rod
in width.
Eagerly they began their tasks, but there
was much for them to learn before the
could make the desert blossom like rose
can fancy with what Impotence the,
watched for rain when the summer month
came-an Impotence out Of which grew anx
iety and despair, for Utah, like California
has only two distinct seasons--a wet and
dry one. ,....-.l, t..s.,5ss
But these men were not easily disheart
ened. Finding that through all the long
summer months not ore drop of water fel
to refresh the baked earth, they made new
channels for the river which they hal
named Jordan, and soon a small stream o
water was flowing on each side Of many of thu
CATION and adding charming and move
feature to the town. Later, when the vii
lage had taken on the dignity Of a city, the
mountain streams were tapped to increase
the supply.
| Were to trace the course of these pioneers
from the day their little band first halted il
this valley down to the present time, il
would seem like strangest fiction. The hard
ships endured by them; the desperate ener.
gy with which they fought to overcome all
obst acles the tenacity with which they
clupg to their new faith, even when starva.
ton and death walked closely beside them
above all, the power Of the man, Brigham
Young, to led them in whatever path he
choose to require from them tithes, which
cost them the most rigid self-denial-all
| these without one complaining word, are
| things which seem incredible. na
l asad A c
Governor Of the territory, Brigham Young
made every thing subserve the interest OF the
! church. And practically he was the Church.
| We talk about the infallibility OF the Pope
of Rome. Here was a Church, established
by Americans, with leader as infallible as
| the Pope whose word was law and whose
authority no man daredquestion. Never did
religious or political man exercise more DIES:
potic rule over his people. 80
However honest and pure may have been
the motives of Joseph Smith, Brigham
Young seemed to labor to accomplish only
one object; to build up kingdom, which,
while he gave it the name of the "Lord's
Kingdom so far as dollars and cents and
the luxuries they can purchase are concerned
| the kingdom was his town. To accomplish
this he had carefully to hide the cloven foot,
while, under the guise of religion, he drew
the net close about them, until there seemed
to be but one win controlling the entire
community. .
The prosecutions they had been subjected
to in the past, were not permitted to ia de
from their memories; they were used to
keep their appetite for retaliation keen, and
longing to be satisfied. Gentiles were hated
with vehemence which furnished an ex-
cuse for murder. Societies were formed to
execute the bidding OF Brigham Young, and
under the names of the ssDanites,' and the
''Destroying Angels, F" these men committed
crimes which will stain the pages Of Amer.
lean history forever. Much that in this
world stands charged to the Indians, will be
found in the big book set down over against
the names OF these ssDestroyingf Angels, u
and l shall not be surprised if Brigham
Young's name leads all the rest.
If any one, chosen to do this bloody work,
faltered, his life paid the penalty. Emigrants
crossing the plains were shot down and
plundered. Women and children, old and
young, all had to die if the decree went
forth from his immaculate highness. For
every violation OF law they found an excuse
in the fact that they had suffered wrong, land
the hands which trembled when they struck
the first death blow to fellow creature
grew strong and willing with bloody expe-
rience. i98 tB4
work are not turned loose by their chief, land,
those s.chosen CUES of the Lord, - were
watched over with jealous care. How many
of them were helped across the river before
they were ready to go no one can tell, but
the number of sudden deaths andmysterious
disappearance in Salt Lake in the past is
appalling, and doubt it. the. list is conn
pleted until there is but one man. left to
carry the secret. Aud will itlbe any won
der if its weight drives him mad w
10 strengthen this kingdom and to attain
more. workers to bring honey to his hive, Brig
ham Young wentabroad proselyting, and sent
other members of the society on the same
mission throughout Europe and the British
Isles. / do not know the Inducements they
held out, but I do know their ranks are eve
~ year increased by additions from abroad.
Already they are scattered over the inhabta.
BILE portion of this immense territory, and
still the missionaries" are, pursuing their
work OF gathering the saints into the fold.
While some of them may be valuable ac-
QUESTION, l think the larger! portion OF the
foreign element is from the very lowest
strata Of society; illiterate, uncouth-in fact
mere pack horses Of humanity. But they
can till the soil, they can endure priyations,
they are accustomed to submit, they can pay
tithes to the church, aud they count. Bad
as their condition is, when compared to other
emigrants, they are doubtless in far better
condition here than when in their native
| land.
In planning the city some forty acres were
set apart for church purposes, wherein were
erected Tabernacle, Endowment House
| aud the foundation laid for new and very
elegant Tabernacle. This latter is now i
| process of erection, but goes forward slowly
| 90 is hv- nff orir cf
and labor.
| The Tabernacle now in use is an immense,
oval-shaped building, measuring $50 feet
from east to west, and $50 feet in width
Forty-six sand stone pillars set in the outel
wall support the roof, which rises in an UNI
broken arch. You can get an excellent idas
of the appearance OF the building if you will
cut an egg in half. cutting from end to end
! then sit it upon pegs and you have pocke
edition Of the Tabernacle. ~
In one end OF the building is an organ
built in Salt Lake, the second in size in the
United States. On Sundays choir Of some
forty voices accompanies the organ, and the
music is quite good, though of course there
are some unframed voices among SO many
4 Eight thousand people can be comfortably
commodated in this building.
The Mormons do not have ordained
preachers, but Elders or Bishops may, any o
them entertain the audience. l heard Orsor
Pratt hold forth on warm June Sabbath
He is one of their bright and shining lights
buc his brilliancy was notvery dazzling or
that day-in fact I found him decidedly
stupid. Then what should be solemn GER
emoney, everywhere seemed to me there II
be really ridiculous-the celebration of thu
holy communion. Immense piles OF breat
were carried about, every Mormon, big and lit
tie ate thereof, and then drank from the clli
of cold water. There was such a suggestion
OF crumbing bread for the ducks and chick
ems, in the way. those saints manipulated
4 things-I could see nothing sacred about it
Various decorations are about the. place
among others this motto: "CHILDREN-
UTAH's BEST CROP. y sEfit9N
And you would think it her largest croI
could you see the Tabernacle ona Sunday.
The Endowment House is the place Wher
polygamous marriages are contracted. In
last Thursday in each month being set apar
for the observance OF this rite. The secret
OF this gateway to sorrow are sacredly Kept
but the effects are seen in every Mormon
house. ass aa TRUFAX.,
~