The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-15
THAT "SILENT CONSENT. !"

Pointing to the historical fact that
Brigham Young was appointed TO the
Governorship of Utah territory by
President Fillmore, and was subse-
quently rcappointed to the place by
President Pierce, the Deseret News edi-
torially declares that this is evidence
in support of its assertion that polyga-
my was once practiced In Utah 'un-
der the silent consent of the Govern
ment.'
Under conditions existing In this part
of the country at that time, Brigham
Young was perhaps the only man who
could have successfully held the office
of Governor. The country was wild
and undeveloped; the people partook
largely of the physical conditions OBJ
tanning here; they were nearly all mem.
bers of the Mormon church, giving
their highest allegiance to the ccnsti-
tuted authorities In that body;
control of them could not be sue
cessfully bnd except through that aui
thority, because the ruling ecclesiastical
ociuoh'Nu w ~
recognized as the highest power in con-
troll not only as respecting the Terri
tory of Utah, but also as having the
right to be considered as the final domi-
uators of the whole earth. Every con
dition then existing here went to the
making of impossibility of any other
man controlling the great majority of
the people. 1t would have been use
less to appoint any other man to the
place, because Brigham would still have
been considered as transcending him in
authority. This would have resulted
in greater and more disturbing clashes
than are known to have continually up
set the community in those days, The
Mormon church WAS rooted in power
here, enthusiastically, commercially,
financially and politically. Brigham
Young absolutely dominated that
church. therefore he personally welded
all the power resultant from the COM
plete sway represented in the organiza-
ton, Brigham could have defed any
other man as governor with all the i'm
acterizes the possessor Of abnormal and
tyrannous power. In fact, he once
said that even the President of the
United States would be glad if he were
able to exercise as complete influence
and absolute domination in the country
as he himself exercised over the Nor
mon people and the Territory of Utah
and its political affairs. In 1853 he
said, "We have got Territorial gov
eminent, and / am and will be Gov
ernor. and no power can hinder it." In
a sermon delivered on February IS,
1855, he again referred to statement
previously made by him, saying, "Presi.
dent Pierce and all hell could not re-
move me from office" (speaking of the
Governorship),
Utah was remote from the East;
communication was scant between that
section and the Territory; transporta-
tion was difficult; the community here
was situated as if in an almost i'm
fortress. Under the circum-
stances, and in order to have any sem
blance of order and government here
at ALL the Federal officials were obliged
to make the best of n bad condition
Even when body of United States
soldiers later came out here under Gov
ernment order Brigham was able to
practically defy the officers and sol
diers composing that little army, be-
cause of the security afforded by the
which enabled him to exer.
else his rebellious spirit and assert his
dominant authority in spite Of all.
Brigham Young's incumbency Of the
Gubernatorial office can in no way be
as Government approval Of
polygamy when the truth is known.
Brigham forced himself upon the Ma
tion In that position, because tempo
rariIy the Government was unable to