Year: 1869







Message from HIS Satanic Majesty.
The following is tha message of Gov
ernor" Brigham Young, delivrred orally
on Monday, February IL, 1869, to the
Senate and House of Representatives OF
the State of Deseret," convened in
General Assembly at the City Hall, Salt
Lake City:


GENTLEMEN: Another year, with all its
joys and sorrows, has passed away since
we last assembled together in our legis-
lative capacity, in conformity with the
requirements of the Constitution of the
State of Deseret. Since last addressed
you in this capacity we have been called
TO mourn over the departure from this
life of our Lieutenant Governor, Hon.
Heber Chase Kimball, who, after a brief
illness, died on Monday, the 22d of June,
1868. The purity of his life, his un.
finching integrity, and the steadfastness
and valor which he unvaryingly dis.
played, made him the object of love and
veneration to the whole people. When
he left us, all felt that we had lost a tried
friend, wise and faithful counselor,
and true patriot. and yet, though it is
a matter of regret, we can rejoice in the
knowledge that he rests in peace.


Notwithstanding the rsvages of the
insects, the past season has been one OF
prosperity, and, in coming together to-
day, we can congratulate each other on
our Aourishipg and happy condition, and
,he kind providences OF our Father and
God which are dealt out to us. We have
met in the capacity of State Ligisla-
ture, with view to preserve our organi-
zatien, and with an eye to the time when,
in the wisdom of God, He will move
npon the minds of Senators and members
of Congress to give us our legal, national
and legitimate rights. We wait with
patience for this to be done. Perhaps,
to some, it will seem unnecessary to keep
up this organization but it is that we
may preserve our identity as part of
the nation that we assemble annually In
this capacity. II the machinery is kept
in order, when the time shall come for
the water to be turned upon it there
will be no difficulty about start
ing it. 1t is not so much to enact
laws and to sit in legislative capacity
that we now meet, as TO recognize our
rights and, in doing so, we do no more
than others have done, and no more than
is our right to do. If we, who live in this
country, were disposed to meet in this ca
pacity three hundred and sixiy-hve days
in the year, it would concern nobody but
ourselves, except meddiers, and those
who wish to infringe upon the rights OF
their neighbors. In O republican Gov
eminent like ours it is right to meet as we
do to-day. We have the undoubted right
of meeting together, and consulting upon
those points of governmental affairs tnat
pertain to our future peace, and to gather
the necessary information TO enable Us TO
proceed further in the duties of life.
Whether, in the providence of God, we
shall be admitted as q State or not, we
leave with Him. He will do ss DE
nleases the hearts of all living are in His
baads. and whatever condition be per
n1its us to live in we shall accept aud con-
form 10.


may with propriety venture the as
sertion that the heart of every person
now present renders praise to God for
the blessings we enjoy this morning
We trustin Him. We are His servants;
we are His friends; we are also the
friends of humanity. However much
we may be misunderstood and misrepre-
sented, this knowledge gives us saiisfae-
tion and comfort.


Our experisnce has demonstrated the
simple fact that, in enacting laws, the
fewer they are, when well executed, the
better for the people. This is fault
which our legislators have not fallen
iuto-they have not made multitude OF
laws. Multiplying laws would not add
to our ueace or union. Ii we did net
krow how to govern and control our
sslves and those around US, legislative
euactmeuts would be but fiimsy shield
10 us: they would be barren reed TO
lean upon. In this connection l recon-
mend that you adopt and sanction the
laws which have been enacted oy the
Legislative Assembly of the Territory OF
Utah. that the same may be valid aud
rave full force in the State Of Deseret-
And I further desire thst you continue
20 annlv your hearts to wisdom; all wis
dom pertaining TO the things OF this
void pertaining TO the laws OF our Ter
r;tory aud nation, and the nations OF the
World and then that We all seek for Wis
dom from Almighty God. TO enable Us to
dispense our knowledge to the advantage
Of ourselves as individuals and as a COM
munity. and Of the world. We should
tins increase until we are able to wrench
from The grasp Of the enemies OF God
and Truth every good principle, and oil
that il desirable for mans elevation and
happiness, aud preserve them intact.


That We have shown our capacity Tor
self-governmens and are fully entitled 70
an entrance into she great sisterhood oi
States which form this Union, IS evident
10 ali uHprfjudiced people who are fani-