Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-01-14
ODDS AND ENDS.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
An Opinion That War is Inevitable In
the Future.

Philadelphia Times, "on the part Of the
government at the earliest possible mo.
ment."
This was said one day by an educated
gentleman who has spent several years
IN the Mormon country, who has closely
observed the habits and prejudces of the
Mormon people.
mo compromise of any kind can be
made with the Mormon people with safe
ty'to The country" he continued. This
proceeds from the fact that the substruc.
ture OF their religion is based upon what
they claim are the prosecutions Of the
people Of the United States against them
in every locality in which they have
heretofore settled. They were driven out
of New Yerk to Ohio, out of Ohio to
Missouri, out Of Missouri to Illinois. II
Illinois their patriarch and prophet were
killed, and their preachers teach that the
martyrdom of these two men is the found.
alton of the church and that the whole
family of Gentiles is to be given to the
vengeance of God. Every preacher in
the country districts makes this as much
the text of his sermons as the Christians
do the cruciflxion of Christ They are
as Jealous in heir religion as the most
fanatical Mohammedans. They are
taught from their childhood to hate the
institutions of this country especially,
and that the whole domain is to be short
ly surrendered to them through the in
strumentality of Divine Providence.
There is no law except this religious
hierarchy outside of Salt Lake City, and
none other would be recognized there
were it not for the presence of the soldiers
at Fort Douglass.
AFTER the appointment of the Mormon
commission | knew number of Nor
mons who seemed to entertain some
doubt as to the propriety of polygamy.
In every case except one they have since
admitted to me that they have dupli.
Gated their wives. An impression pre-
walls very largely among the people of
the United States that the women Of Utah
are hostile to polygamy and the mormon
religion. While few OF them treat it
as cross, it is an almost universal rule
that the women ar more Jealous and
fanatical than the men. They believe
absolutely in the d zine power of TAYLOR,
and very large number Of them past
middle age believe that they commune
with the Almighty daily and have no
| doubt that this country vas givrn them
by divine inteppositiop. 1t would be a
mercy to them if the government of the
United States would resort to the ex-
tremest methods to crush Mormonism
out"
"What methods should the govern
ment adopt?" was asked
Troops ought to be placed in posses
sion OF Lees ferry, the only crossing Of
the Colorado river for distance of near
ly thousand miles, the canyons of that
river for all that distance being from
l, 200 to 5000 feet high, as are the noun
taihs running through eastern Utah and
across northern Arizona Troops ought
to be placed at st. George and at every
other place at which temples are being
constructed This may prevent a long
and enormously costly war At all events
this would do no more than to precipi-
tate what is inevitable by timid policy.
There is on this Rocky mountain plateau
a population who, in case of foreign war,
would sympathize and side with the
enemy, and who, have no boubt, can to-
day place in the saddle and splendidly
equip $4,000 of the best cavalrymen in
the world. They can substantially di-
vide this continent and hsld possession
of their territory for years"
How do you regard the Mormon peo-
pie, as'to their habits and morals?'
'"Fhey are q thrifty, industrious, sober
and, within their conception of morals.
virtuous people, but they are to all in
tents and purposes public enemies of this
government. | think there should he
further Legislation and that the most
radical measures should be adopted by
this government toward Mormonism.
The territorial government should be de-
stroyed and placed in the hands of the
United States military, or United States
troops should command every locality in
the territory where they have their re-
hgious temples. That would probably
precipitate war, but it had better come
now than later, as it will inevitably when
Mormonism has grown to prodigious pro-
portions.
There is not more than one in ten of
the population in Utah that have any
conception of the government of the
United States or of our institutions" he
continued. Most of them have either
been brought from Europe from the most
Ignorant and superstitious classes or are
the children of those who never had any
means of acquiring knowledge of our
institutions"
How has the Edmunds law been en-
forced and what effect has it had on the
institution
"The Edmunds law is being enforced
very ably by Judge Zane and the gov
ernment officers. 1t is incapable of re-
sulting in good 1t is not sufficient and
should be amended, as l see Mr.. Ed
munds admits and has already proposed
to do. It's effect has been to increase
rather than diminish polygamous mar,
riages."
What is the extent and influence of
Mormonism in the western territories?"
Besides controlling in Utah it has
large influence in Colorado, a controlling
influence in Nevada and almost "a con.
trolling influence in Idaho, Arizona and
New Mexico. 1t it extending rapidly
southwark to old Mexico, and has already
established settlements in the plateau of
Northern Mexico. 1t has got to be quite
n factor in Rocky mountain politics and
its influence is rapidly increasing. This
influence is exerted where it holds the
balance of power with the party that will
do the most good. 1t was through this
influence that Delegate Cassidy, who has
fought it vigorously, both in and out of
congress, was defeated.
The number of immigrants landed at
Castle Garden for the year 1885 is about
SO 400 lacQ than bo