The Ottawa free trader., 1878-04-13
THE FAR WEST.
Salt Lake City, the Mormon King
dom.--The Mormon People
as they are.

| Special CorrcspondcnccJ
SAN FRANCISCO, April l. lS1S.
When the saints were forced TO leave the ruraI
shades OF Nauyoo in our beautiful prairie state
and, like "poor Lon Of old, follow their destiny
towards the setting sun, ii is doubt in my mind
whether it was a misfortune or not At all events
it is very evident that their leaders were nc
slouchcs in the selection Of a new Kingdom.
| SALT LAKE CITY.
To my mind, salt Lake City is the most bcauti.
fully located city in the United States; and with
the advantage Of Il mans being privileged Gf he
choose to take unto himself more than 4 single
wing" it has other advantages that no other
city in this country employs.
"On the morning Of July 24th, 1Si7," as the
history Of Utah tells US, "thc Mormon band ar
rived at the top of the mountain which OyerloOks
the valley and site where this city now stands,
and, rs we are told were enchanted with the
scene, and firmly believed that they had found
the promised land" though it did not overflow
with milk and honey, as predicted by the ancient
prophets. However, they had reason to be glad,
for the surrounding view is simply enchanting
and the valley and location beautiful The Great
Salt Lake, a short distance away, glitters like a
sheet Of silver in the rays of the sun; the snow
clad peaks Of the Wahsatch Mountains tower up
ward hundreds Of feet and the valley, either in
winter or summer, looks charming The streets
are remarkably level and wido cross each other
at right angles, and in every way present pleas
ing and attractive appearance \ stream Of clear
spring water coming down from the mountains
courses every street, and is constructed that it
acts for fountains, and for irrigation purposes in
dooryards and gardens.
The business Of the city is almost all ones sided,
in favor Of the Mormons, as the Gcntiles are not
sufficiently strong in numbers yet TO make oppo-
stion an object But it is only matter Of time
before things will change as city possessing
such great advantages and its surroundings such
mineral resources can not much longer remain
as dormant to the "outsidc world" as it has in
the past. The day is not far distant when Nor
mons will be scarcer in Salt Lake City than Gen
tiles are to-day; and may say that all will hail
that day with gadncss.
| The business cdfces in many respects are not
up to the tincs, while the residences are of the
old styles so peculiar to European cities and
towns. They have more Of that low, Struggling
character than the iaunty and unique buildings
Of modern styles of architecture. But we must
recolcct that most of the people who constitute
the inhabitants Of this modern Paradise arc peo
pie with very distinct and peculiar views, people
who will marry their grandmothcrs and all her
relations down, in order that they may keep the
devil in the family, and will cut throats for
Chrsts sake if asked by one Of the prophets in
the name Of divine revelation.
| II was my misfortune to see Salt Lake City in
winter, when the beautiful snow" covered the
streets, the valley and the mountains; but even
in its snowy garb there was Il grandeur and love
illness about it that was charming. ! am inclined
to believe that in summer it is delightful place,
judging from the rows of beautiful shade trees
that line the walks and the appearance Of the
dooryards and gardens in their winter dress
The Tabernacle is about the first object one be
holds Oh entering the city, and always the first
visited. 1t is an immense building, of oblong
shape or something like an egg. Its dimensions
are, 30 # long and 80 wide, and from the floor
to the roof is Is feet. The roof is supported by
AZ columns of cut stone, which, with the spaces
between used for doors and windows constitute
springs in one unbrokcn arch, something like
the Rock Island depot in Chicago. At one end
stands the great organ, in size only surpassed 10y
that of the people Of the "hub.' il is elegant in
design and entirely a Utah get up. The Tabcr-
n0clo is used for church purposes and lectures,
but once in Il while entertainments are given
there I'm immense gallery traycrscs both sides
and one end Of it, giving a seating capacity for
ten thousand people. The most remarkable fea.
turc connected with this immense cdidcc i, with
what distinctivcncss and clcarncsS sound ybrates
through it. The speaker can be heard in all parts
when talking only in an ordinary tone. The
Tabernacle can only be used in summer, As there
is no means by which it can be hcated-at least
for the prcScnt-and the saints are not now proof
against cold whatever may De their prospects
for the endurance of heat lin the swcc. hy-and-
by."
The saints have started the erection of grand
Tcmplc-somcthing simply immense, and one
that will "aotoniSh the natives" They got as far
as the foundation, hut the bishops high priests
and saints not coming To time with the where.
withal, the whole business came TO a standstl
Til, modern Babal was tor is) to be nearer hcav-
en- than any structure on earth; in fact, there
WAS to bc no end to il height, white it, width is
80 and length 1866. feet. II was To have had six
stccplcs-two of OF immense proportions Zone at
each end and the other four of even height
But il /, doubtful now whether it will ever he
finished
HOLINESS TO rHE LORD.