The Mormon Prophet and His Harem

slature refuse to print the Message.-Action of the United States Senate thereon.-Forgery in the Mormon Legislature.-Bill of Judge Waite to amend the Org

ke City on the 11th of July, 1862. Govern

say the officers now in the Territory were "good men." No circumstances occurred to develop

nd, and established his camp on the "bench," or high land, about three miles east of the city. His forces at that time consisted o

volunteers should never "cross the Jordan," a stream a few miles south of the city, and which was directly on their line of march. But t

ng to the Legislature. Therein he called the attention of the people, through their representatives, to the practice of polygamy in their midst, to the anomalous

ortions of the Message

lyg

I mean that institution which is not only commended but encouraged by you, and which, to say the least of it, is an anomaly throughout Christendom. I mean polygamy, or, if you prefer the term, plurality of

tion so important as that of marriage wanting in all those qualities that make it homogene

beyance; they must, from the very nature of things, become aggressiv

rue, we may sum up the conclusion of the argument as follows: either the laws and opinions of the communities by which you are surrounde

erated and believed to be right, may not appear so strange; but that a mother and her daughters are allowed to fulfil the duties of wives to the same husband, or that

estrained and subjected to laws, to which all must yield obedience. No community can long exist, without absolute social anarchy, unless so important an institution as that

s of this Territory regulating marriage. I earnestly recommend to your early co

gress again

certain Acts of the legislative assembly of Utah,' (chap. cxxvii. of the Statutes at Large of the last session of Congress, page 501.) I am aware that there is a prevailing opinion here that said Act is unconstitutional, and therefore it is recomme

ecessary for me either to affirm or deny. The individual citizen, under no circumstances whatever, has the right to defy any law or statute of the United Stat

nstituted for that purpose. To forcibly resist the execution of that Act would be, to say the least, a high misdemeanor; and if a

l prevail. If, unhappily, I am mistaken in this

y of Co

o the citizen of the United States, is the right to wor

ween man and his Maker, and not

all the line of demarcation be drawn, designating that which is not forbidden from that which is? This is, indeed, a most important question, and from the tendency of the times, must sooner or later be answered. I cannot, and

l subjects of speculative theology. . . . But when religious opinions assume new manifestations, and pass from the condition of mere sentiment into overt acts,-no matter whether they be acts of fait

ubjects of local interest in the Territory. He referred to the attempts to procure the admission of the State of Deseret into the Union,-giving it as his opinion that those attempts were pr

condition of the Territory; adverted to the Indian troubles; advised the organization of a common-school system, and closed b

the people warned against the consequences of disobedience to the Act of Congress. Anyt

portion of the Message as exceedingly hostile and offensive in its ch

ny history, and can be distinguished from the personal edicts of Brigham Young. It is not only not permitted but explicitly condemned in the "Book of Mormon" an

From respect it was immediately changed to disrespect and contumely. No contemptuous treatment was too marked, no indignity w

he Journals did not even show that the Governor eve

States on the 16th of January, 1863, instructing the Committee on Territories to inquire and report whether the publication of the Message o

bruary, submitted a Report, accompanied by a resolution, which was adopted, that one

as less complimentary to the M

will indicate the cha

r to report, that they have collected all the facts, and taken all the testimony within the

the government of public affairs have had but little toleration in the Territory of Utah; but in their stead there ap

urch, and, practically, in the Territory, is the only real power acknowledged here, and to the ext

ithin the limits of the United States

he United States will not and ought not to stand. They make a difference between the Constitu

the customs of the Mormons, and has recommended that steps be taken to Amer

cohabitation of a man with the mother and her daughters ind

tain nothing that should give offence to any legisl

s of the people in that Territory, and as such, brought down the censure of the leaders of the Mormon

ribution of the Messa

served to render somewhat mutual the feelings of hostility which the leading saints already entertained. This was no

were as

of the Territory. This had been assigned to Judge Drake. The Second, called the "Cotton District," was assigned to Judge Waite, and consisted of the three southe

nty from Washington to St. George, and in the same bill it was provided that the United States Court for the transaction of territorial b

assignment of the

all. They accordingly passed a bill, providing, among other things, for holding the court at St. George on the third Monday of October. But as they had already passed a bill fixing the term of court in May, and as th

It appeared to have been done by the same hand which had penned the body of the bill. This had been written by one of the clerks of the House of Representatives. The Governor, after signing the bill, had inadvertent

ber to May, by erasing the word "October" and interlining the word "May." He then made a st

ake out that it was all the time October, and that no forgery had been committed. When the matter was up in the House the second time, one member actually produced a paper which he averred was the original draft, and which had October in it. And this in the f

collective action, implicated

, without printing the Governor's Message, or se

am Young, as Governor. A Message was delivered, and all the forms of legislation gone through with; in rea

s constituted under the Organic Act of 1850, as the same had been constru

on of juries, and in the extraordinary jurisdiction as

dges had held that it was competent in the Legislature to confer upon the Probate Courts any jurisdiction they pleased. The Mormons, never behind in availing

other county authorities, and it was contended that the United

for an Act of Congress amendatory of the Organic Act of 1850. It provided for the selection of United States juries

whatsoever. It was to do the usual probate business, and have a limited criminal jurisdiction, subject to appeal to the District Court. The bill a

inney being absent from the Territory. It received the unqualified approval of Drake and Harding, and, with their indorsement upo

r outbreak. The news was telegraphed to Salt Lake, and

d, some two or three thousand persons assembled, excited by exaggerated statements con

resentment and indignation of the ignorant masses of the people were excited

hn Taylo

and the guardians of our rights. They come from men who ought to be actuated by the strictest principles of honor, truth, vi

r's Message, enough, perhap

njure us before the Government, but as well to sap the very foundations of our civil and religious liberties; he is, in fact, in the furtherance of his unhallowed schemes, seeking to promote anarchy and rebellion, and dabbling in your blood. [Cries of 'hear, hear.'] Such, it would s

enemy we have, is shown by the stateme

erests of our people, and to injure their reputation, and yet, as our Governor,

be successful, leaving the allegations of treason from our consideration. [It was

hus saying whom we would have represent us; but it may be that we are laboring under a mistake, and that it is but a political illusion. We have likewise thought that if any

with republican usage; but we can do so no longer should the plotting of Governor Harding and our Honorable Judges be carried into effect. We shall be deprived of franchise, of the right of trial by an impartial jury, and shall be placed, in a mi

to be done by our honorable Judges and Governor. Your rights as freemen, and your liberties, are aimed at; and you are to be disfranchised, and your liberties trampled under foot, by strangers, and you will have blacklegs and cut-throats sit upon your juries. Mr. Harding wants to select his own military, and have officers of his own selection t

position of United States Judges could so far forget themselves as to descend to such depravity, corruption, and injustice. [Applause.] These things are so palpable, that 'he that runneth may read,' and any man with five grains of comm

Young'

ncing to the speaker's desk was greeted with vociferous applause

e to remain quiet. I know well your feelings, but much prefer that you should suppress any demonst

e himself into the esteem of our prominent citizens, with whom he had early intercourse, and professed great friendship and attachment for the people of the Territory. He was then full of their praises, and said he was ready to declare that he would stand in the defence

of the dearest rights of freemen, and render us the abject subjects of this man, who has been sent here to govern the Territory. Man, did I say?-thing, I mean,-a nigger-worshipper,-a black-hearted abolitionist is what he is, and what he represents; and that I do naturally despise. He wants to have the telegraph torn down, and the mails stopped and turned by the way of Panama. Do you ackno

out. Judges Waite and Drake are perfect fools, and the tools of Governor Harding, and they too must lea

hoose jurors of cut-throats, blacklegs, soldiers, and desperadoes from

other Joseph said that the South would rise against the North, and the North against the South, and that they would fight until both parties were d

ace upon their own heads. I do not wish to live in, or have anything to do with the United States; I will have a free and independent government fo

taken from us, what is there remaining? [Voices, 'Nothing,

f turning the mail by the way of Panama; and these men were not abov

thorizing soldiers to sit as jurymen, it was expressly prohibited in the bill itself. Again; the right of suffrage was actually extended by the bill, because, while by one section the militia officer

ny of them were already, to throw off the yoke of despotism, by having every question that might arise fairly and impartially adjudicated upon in the courts. This wa

by the people of the Territory, aided by some such legislation as that proposed. The other is

rce will become necessary in either case,-as the course taken by Young and his as

dy to adopt or approve of anything; and the following resolutions,

lency Governor Harding, wherein our loyalty is impugned, as base

authority and dictation, by appointing all the militia officers, is a str

the selection of juries as so base, unjust, and tyr

ervert justice, and violate the sacred palladium of the people's rights, as subversive of the pr

tory, but is a direct assault upon Republican principles in our own nation and throughout the world; and that we cannot either tamely submit

be subservient to their dictates, and the equitable administration of justice, we will resist, in a proper manne

wait upon the Governor, and Judges Waite and Drake, to re

Jetu Clinton, and Orson Pra

ed States to remove Governor Harding, and Judges Wait

o the President, which was sign

aham Lincoln, Presiden

tizens of the Territory of Uta

e Justices, are strenuously endeavoring to create mischief and stir up strife between the people of the Territory of Utah and the troops now in Camp Douglas, (situated within th

ir offices, honor their appointments, and regard the rights of all, attending to their own affairs and leaving alone the affairs of others; and in all their conduct demeaning themselves as honorable

ty, Territory of Ut

is the counter-petition sent to the President by the military offic

Column for Utah

ear Salt Lake Cit

aham Lincoln, Presiden

t their knowledge of facts and opinion of proceedings, having reference to civil authority, or

lminated in a mass meeting in Salt Lake City on the 3d inst., in our opinion demands from us a respectful statemen

Governor and Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of Utah. The Government must know, as regards the

nd Judges Waite and Drake are studiously endeavoring to create mischief and stir up strife between the people of the Territory and

ve friendly relations between the people of Utah and the troops, w

all, attended to their own affairs,' and have not disturbed or interfered with the affairs of others, outside of their legitimate duty to the Government; 'and in all their conduct,' His Excellency Governor Har

to all. They have, on all proper occasions, spoken plainly to the people of their duty. They have not been subservient to any person or persons, and they st

cause for the removal of His Excellency Governor Harding,

the honor to remain your Exc

and Reg. C. S., 2d Cavalry, C. V.; F. A. Peel, 2d Lieut. and Reg. Q. M. 2d Cavalry, C. V.; Charles Tupper, Captain 3d Infantry, C. V.; John B. Urmy, Captain 3d Infantry, C. V.; Samuel N. Hoyt, Captain 3d Infantry, C. V.; David Black, Captain 3d Infantry, C. V.; S. P. Smith, Captain 2d Cavalry, C. V.; Daniel McLane, Captain 2d Cavalry, C. V.; George F. Price, Captain 2d Cavalry, C. V.; David J. Berry, Captain 2d Cavalry, C. V.; Josiah Hosmer, 1st Lieut. 3d Infantry, C. V.; James W. Stillman, 1st Lieut. 3d Infan

e meeting, and subs

esign and leave the Territory, called upon Governor Harding, at his residence, and presente

urtesy, and after examining the paper,

t I must confess that my opinions have changed in many respects. But I came also, sirs, to discharge my duties honestly and faithfully to the Government, and I intend to do so to the last. It is in your power to do me personal violence,-to shed my blood; but this will not deter me fro

r in staying; but my purpose is fixed. I desire to have no trouble; I am anxious to li

dare not print it for fear your people may read it for themselves. To say that I have wronged you when I said

in the discharge of my duties, one drop of my blood be shed by your ministers of vengeance, that it will be ave

eral times attempted to make some explanation; but the Governor refused to hear him, a

, and remarked that he might consider t

responded

importance, and as they are intended to affe

se for such conduct toward me. I am an American citizen, and as such have a right to go to every part of the Republic. I have the right to petition, or ask the Government t

on the rights of a citizen by engaging in such a dirty enterprise. Your resolutions are false, and those who drafted them knew them to be so; and I am i

him, whose tools and tricksters you are, that I did not come here by his permission, and that I will not go away at his desire, or by his directions. I have given no cause of offence

e man whom you so faithfully serve, attempt to interfere with my lawful

o speak in court; and unless in such capacity, or under su

ve our opinions." "Yes," replied the Judge, "thieves and m

y were received politely and with due consideration. In answer to their request

it, impliedly at least, one of two things,-either that I was sensible of having d

or fear. I must therefore respectful

ion. The people rejoiced that at last the Government had representatives in Utah who could neithe

oubtless nothing but the presence of the military

l shown by the following extracts from th

streets, busily engaged in canvassing the subject, their earnest gestures and eager at

, while passing quietly along the sidewalk, by a group of excited men

nance, on which 'thought sat sedate,' awaited, cold and determined, the approach of coming events. I opine that many a bowie and revolver

and up and assert their rights, when they knew but too well that this 'request' upon the part of the

pinion as to what has passed; and that is, that the proceedings throughout were an outrage, and only intended to get rid of men who cannot

espondence, will show the conduct

fancy seem to foreshadow the 'handwriting on the wall,' at the great day of his judgment which is to come. Like unto the great magician, the famous Fakir, who upon a time, by his incantation, raised a demon which he could not control, which would not 'lay' at the conqueror's com

seeing that he has provoked justice, incensed mercy, seeks to guard against the retr

ed to several hundreds, a portion of whom serve as pickets, or night-patrol, on the different streets leading toward Camp Douglas. It has been currently reported that orders

present Administration ask us for a thousand men, or even five hundred, and I'd see them damned first, and then they couldn't have them! What do you think of that? [Loud cries of "Good, good!" and great applause.] We have liars, murderers, and thieves among us, who are watching us, to report something against our loyalty. Their object is to send another army here to "wipe us out"; but let

e ask, what the devil were they doing out here? Coming here to destroy, and wipe us from the face of the earth; and we only took and des

sisters; but it is always in t

d slippered pantaloon.' His remarks were in the main but a re-hash of those made by Brigham, save in one or two noticeable points, as follows:-'They say I am a secessioni

ernment, he said:-'The entire power of the United States

m fears

ied, as on the wings of lightning, to the uttermost parts of the city, that an order was being made out for the arrest of Brigham and his counsellors, and that Col. Connor had been down to make arrangements for enforcing the writ. Men with muskets and rifles,-some few with antiquated swords,-of all ages, from the brawny youth to the old white-haired sexagenarian, came pouring along, singly an

, is evident from the following, taken from the "Latter Day Saints' Millennial Star," published in London

Salt Lake City,

nt G. Q.

he military and citizens of Utah,' and will learn through Capt. Hooper, (he being just informed by telegr

e mail and telegraph lines, and the protection of the California emigration, and consequently have been watchful of their proceedings; the more so, that they made their w

were corresponding with the authorities at Washington, and moving everything that could be moved to bring the

about one thousand citizens were armed, and on duty, and in another half hour another thousand men were on duty. This sudden demonstration proved to them that their secret was known, and that we were fully prepared for them. In the mean time our 'outside' friends in this city telegraphed to those interested in the mail and telegraph lines, that they must work for the removal

far have had its effect, as to induce the President, some two or three months afterward, to recall Governor Harding from his position. It is true, by transferring him to the Chief Justiceship of Colorado Territory, his removal was disconnected with any censu

ganic Act entirely inoperative in the Territory, and declining to hold any terms of the District Court in their respective districts until they should be properly supported by

nment was not then prepared to meet the questions which had arisen in such a manner as the dignity and honor of the nation requi

case on the docket, left the Territory in disgust, and established himself in the practice of his profession in Idaho City,

a man of sound judgment, and of large experience in public affairs; and does as well as any man could in his embarrassing position. But his governorship is mer

t of the people, he is obliged to remain entirely inactive, and goes through the forms of holding court, with scarcely an attempt to

old and fearless vindication of the rights and interests of the Government, guided, at the same time, in all

y aforesaid heard some things, and thought he heard others. He reported to headquarters the supposed result of his discoveries, and it must be admitted that those who had been placed under this insulting espionage took no great pains

Here the infamous system of espionage maintained over the federal officers by Young, stan

forcible arrest, he went privately to his friend, Chief Justice Kinney, and gave his bonds for his a

nt is only worth mentioning as curiously illustrative of the e

and residing in Utah, while the writer was living

nary energy and decision of character. These traits are modified, in some degree, by considerable ambition, and great love of approbation. In his administration of Utah affairs, so fa

im at once to personal danger. The presence of the military in the immediate neighborhood was sufficient to prevent any open outbreak; st

s a high degree of moral courage to enable one to do any

uty, not omitting the same appliances which had been br

n, Attila, who was with the Governor at Sal

as, for nearly two years previous to receiving the appointment of Governor, Superintendent of

e County of Washington and State of New York, on the 5th day

e Supreme Court, and settled in the practice of the law in the

lature, which was then composed of the Governor and Judges of the Supreme Court; and was also appointed a

s of the Mississippi, travelling a distance of over four thousand miles through the

the Territory, which were published

orney of the Supreme Court of

as appointed by James Monroe its Judge, with the title of "an additional Judge of the Territory of Michigan." He performed the duties of this offi

at Green Bay, to Fort Crawford on Prairie du Chien, and to Fort Dearborn at the mouth of Chicago Creek, n

having been elected by the voters west of the Lake; and introduced

to form a government for themselves, unde

igan, which had been attached to that Territory in 1818, when Illinois was admitted into the Union. It had been sought in vain of Congress fro

year 1841, when he was appointed Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in that Territory; and as Commissioner held

ost valuable services which he ever rendered that State. It is now considered one of the most beautiful sites for a

er of the Convention to form a Stat

ng on several committees. It was during his first term as a member that he was declared an Abolitionist-now no longer a

was appointed a Commissioner to negotiate treaties with the Shoshonees,-which were held by him i

hip, of most of the eminent men connected with the Government of our country. Of those who were on the stage when he entered public life, it is belie

ntinent,-having stood on the shores of the Atlantic and Pacific; on the latter of which he reached the point in his westward march

e he had resided from early manhood. He is now over sixty years of age.

ity of the old Roman order. Of blameless life and manners

engendered an intense hatred of the despots who sit enthroned over the people o

to sit quietly by, and see wrongs perpetra

d Drake, was from the State of Illinois,

thirty-eight years of age. He was then living near Chicago

the summer of 1863, elected as Delegate to Congress from Utah, and took his seat the

Territory, is somewhat past fifty years of age,-a gentleman of much dignity and

ains in the Territory. The Mormons withhold from him all the cases they can control. He i

was appointed from t

Territory about two years, and was suc

actice. He was attentive and obliging in his official intercourse wi

th that gentleman than was the case with other officers. If he saw any difficulties approaching, by a little shrewd management he carefully avoided them. If in thus steering between Scy

and apparent respect of Brigham, to a gr

n Francisco, where he engage

vernor Harding's arrival in July, 1862, he acted as Governor of the Ter

ary in 1863, and who now holds that position, came

h evinced a high order of administrative talent. The affairs of the Territory were, during that time, conducted with

y, Ireland, and migrated to the United States, w

regular army of the United States, and served an honor

ss and heroism at the battle of Buena Vista. He was mentioned in official dispatches, with high encomiums for bravery. At this bat

ten years, prior to the rebellion, engaged in privat

uring his residence in Stockton, Captain Connor took an active

Colonel of the Third Regiment of Infantry, California Volunteers. With the expect

e led the 3d Infantry, and part of the 2d Cavalry, Cal. Vol., across the Plains, in a most success

gn against hostile Indians, and on the 29th of January, 1863, fought the hard battle of Bear Rive

romoted by the President to be Brigadier-General of

k judgment, invincible energy and determination, firmn

cessful. By Brigham Young he is at once hated and

TNO

the commissioned officers th