The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-12-12
affairs in the Territory of Utah in
1851.
Federal Troops Called.

they are now sending defiance to the SOW
ereign power, their whole plan has been
to prepare for successful secession from
the authority OF the United States and
permanent establishment OF their own.
President Buchanan, in his message
to Congress of December 8, 1857, ex-
planatory of his official acts in connec-
tion with the government of Utah,
said:
AS Chief Magistrate ] was bound to re-
store the supremacy OF the Constitution
and laws within its limits. In order TO
effect this purpose, | appointed new
Governor and other Federal officers for
UTAH and sent with them military force
comitatus in case OF need In the execu-
tIon of the laws. Whilst Cover
nor Young has been both Governor ana
Superintendent OF Indian aitairs
he has been at the same time head or
the church called the Latter Dny Saints.
and processes TO govern Its members and
dispose OF their property by direct m
spiration and authority from the Al
mighty His power has been therefore
absolute over the church and state.
4" All the officers OF the United States.
judicial and executive. with the exception
of two Indian agents. have found IL
necessary for their personal safety 10
withdraw from the Territory, as there no
longer remains any government IN utah
but the despotism OF Brigham Young
Despottsm of Brigham Young.
Thus did it come to pass that after
ten wears of the domination of the Nor
mon hierarchy in Utah, the President of
the United States was constrained to
make the startling announcement In his
annual message to Congress that there
no longer remained any government IN
the Territory of Utah but the 'despot-
ism of Brigham Young He ruled su
preme. Pretending to be the vicegerent
of the Almighty, he defed the Govern
ment of the United States and played
upon the passions, prejudices and fears
of the people until he held complete
mastery over the lives and fortunes of
his deluded followers.
This declaration OF President Buchan-
an in 1857 aroused the Congress and
the country to the necessity of taking
relieve the people of Utah from the
domination of so despotic a power. To
that end numerous measures were
promptly introduced in both houses of
Congress looking to the accomplishment
of this purpose. but not until 1862 was
an act passed defining the crime Of
bigamy and Furnishing persons adjudged
guilty Of such offense in any of the
Territories of the United States by a
fine not exceeding $500 or by imprison-
ment for a term not exceeding five
years, and at the same time aunulling
all acts and laws of the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory Of Utah
which establish, support, maintain,
shield, or countenance tho practice of
polygamy, evasively called Spiritual
marriage, however disguised by legal
or ecclesiastical solemnities, sacraments,
ceremonies, or other contrivanccs -;
and further. annulling the ordinance in
cooperating the Church of Jesus Christ
of al "a Low H.
lawful for any corporation or associa-
ton for religious or charitable purposes
to acquire or hold real estate in any
Territory of the United States of n
greater value than $4,000, forfeiting
and escheatlng to the United States all
holdings by such corporation in excess
of such value.
This comprehensive measure re-
mained, however, for many years a dead
letter. The great issues of the Civil
war and the problem growing ont of
that conflict overshadowed and OBJ
scured for the time being all other
questions of domestic concern, and for
twenty years the act of 1862 was disre-
garded and defed while the hierarchy
continued its unrestraincd dehaucbment
and despotic sway. No sooner, how
ever, had the storm of war passed and
the calm of peace returned than the
attention of Congress and the country
was again directed by several Presi-
dents Of the United States to the con
tinucd existence of the criminal prac-
tices in the Territory Of Utah.
What Grant Said.
President Grant. in his third annual
message submitted to Congress Decem-
Der 4. 1871. said:
In Utah there still remains a remnant
OF naroarism. repugnant TO civilization
TO decency. and to the laws of the United
states. Neither polygamy nor any other
vocation ot existing statutes Will be per
mitted within the territory of the United
states. II Is not with the religion OF The
ssef-styled saints that we are now deal,
ing. hut with their practices They win
be protected in their worship Of God ac-
cording TO the dictates Of their con
sciences. but they will not be permitted TO
ligion.
In his fourth annual message of De
cember 2, 1872, in referring TO the Ter
ritories he said
In but one OF them Utah) is the con-
ditlon OF affairs unsatisfactory
u has seemed 10 be the policy OF the
legislature OF Utah 10 evade ali responsi-
bllity to the Government OF the Iynltea
states, and even TO hold n position in
hostility TO II. | recommend a careful
revision of the present laws of the Ter
rtory 6y Congress and the enactment of
such law as will secure peace the
equality Of all citizens before the law
and the ultimate punishment OF poIyg-
amy.
And again, in his seventh annual
message, December 8, 1875. President
Grant said:
In nearly every annual message that
have had the honor Of transmitting 10
Congress, have called attention 10 the
anomalous, not 10 say scandalous. CON
dition Of affairs existing I'm the Terri
tory of Utah, and have asked for definite
legislation To correct it. That polygamy
should exist in n free. enlightened, and
Christian country. without the power TO
punish so flagrant a crime against de-
cencN and morality. seems preDosterous
True. there is no law 10 sustain this un-
natural Vice, but what is needed is law
10 punish VI as n crime. But as
On institution poygamy should be ban
i5hcd from the land
President Hsyes's View.
President Hayes, in his fourth an
nual message, December 6. 1880. said:
IL is the recognized duty and purpose
OF the people OF the United States to