Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-08-26
ENSIGN rEAK.
From friend in Idaho we have re
ceived the following inquiry;
"Boiso. Idaho, Aug. 10. 1905.


last weeks Idaho Scimitar says:
"'In 1S47, when Brigham Young uh-
rurIed u flag from Ensign Peak, In
salt Lake valley he harangued the
multitude OF rebelious Mormons ana
Numbered forth his defiance of govern
ment. Rebellion against tyrahts is
obedience to God
"Can you tell me If there Is any
historical authority for attnhuting
ehese words of Thomas Jefferson to
any subsequent quotation by Brig
ham Young?'
None whatever. The statement
credited to the paper mentioned is er-
roneous and contrary to facts, in toto
In the first place. historians have no
record OF the nnfurling OF any flag
on Ensign Peak in lS47. According to
whitney's History, a party consisting
=. OF eight men climbed the hills west
( OF city Creek canyon ON Monday,
July 26, 1s47. In the party was Pres
ident Young. AS these men planted
their feet upon the prominent peak
referred to, President Young re-
marked: "a good place to raise an
ensign!" The Historian suggests that
sermon preached by Orsop Pratt the
day before fingered in the mind Of the
President, prompting the remark quot
s ed At all events. the peak was
named Ensign Peak. but there is
no record OF the unfurling of any flak
4 there, at that time, or, Mt any other
time, for that matter. SO. the idea Of
7 President Young having gathered tt
( "rehellous multitude" of "Mormons"
on Ensign Peak and having unfurled
: flag and Numbered forth defiance
/ TO any one is worthy Of the imagination
+ OF Munchausen
In the second place. there never
4 were amy rebellious Mormons" to
I harangue The Latter-day Saints un-
I furled the beautiful flag Of the Re-
T public over these valleys and have al
I, ways been the most loyal supporters
of the government. IT is true they
were driven from their homes and
{ many Of their number were murdered
IN cold blood state governments
turned a deaf ear to their pleadings
n for justice, and Federal government
officials declared themselves unable TO
right the wrongs committed; but even
during those trying times the Saints
were loyal Governor Ford and Sena-
tor Douglas suggested that the Saints
80 west and establish an independent
government Of their own, but President
Young had no such plans. He was |
an American, and he remained loyal |
under all circumstances, even when |
the government, misinformed, sent an
army to put down a rebellion that did |
not exist
Speaking of this event, ton years af-
ter the arrival of the Pioneers, the
news of the coming Of the troops |
reached the Valley as the Saints were
assembled in the Cottonwood canyon
celebrating Pioneer day They had
unfurled the Stars and Stripes on the
two highest peaks and enjoyed the
exercises of the day. when the mes
sengers came from the States and told
them that tho army was coming. At
that time hostile newspapers suggested
that volunteers from every state
should pour into Utah, make short
work Of the Saints, possess their cities
MI their Territory and take their wives
and daughters and property, and tens
OF thousands" says Edward Tulidge,
were eager for this thorough work OF
regeneration for Utah; and, had the
government dared to encourage IT, the
attempt would have been made. For
such crusade however. civilized
judgment could have found no excuse,
not even on the plea Of rebellion"
That was an exciting time. But
President Young never lost his head.
He stated the case calmly and DELHI
orately FIRST and then, as governor
I Of the Territory, gave his orders to the
/ people Liars" he said, have re-
/ ported that this people have commit
! ted treason. and upon their misrepre
A sentation the President has ordered out
I troops to aid in offering this Terrific
I ~ We have transgressed no law.
\ neither do we intend so 10 do, but as
Y for any nation coming to des-
3 troy this people. God Almighty
Z being my helper It shall not be!
& We have born enough Of their OPP
preston and abuse, and we will not
bear any more Of 1t, for there rs no
lust law requiring further forbearance
Y on our part, This was the substance
Of his address "a the people. TO
Captain van Vliet he said, later I'VE
do not want to fight the United states.
but n they drive us 10 it, We shall
X do the best we can; and / win tell
lE you, as the Lord lives, we shall come
off conquerors, for we trust In Him.
President Young placed his trust h
that crisis entirely Ia the Lord, not II
"A his own strength He said TO the Cap
w. tain we shall do all we can Il
III avert collision, but n they drive u
W 10 a, God win overthrow them III
N added: I'VE are the supporters o
iN the Constitution OF the United states
"A ana we love that Constitution and re
4 spect the laws OF tho United states
N but It is by the corrupt administrator
+ III OF those laws that we are made 10 SUI
"a fer"
N Captain Van Vllet agreed with pres
IA ident Young In dis, lie admitted tina
iN officials arc often sent 20 The Terri
III tories as political reward, and thu
8 they take no interest in the people.
During the entire crisis the Latter
day saints under their great lead'
proved their determination 70 uphol
md defend With their liNes' II nece