USA > Utah > Salt Lake County > Salt Lake > History of Salt Lake City > Part 22
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"But before the sun had crimsoned the snowy peaks that surrounded the - worshiping, rejoicing Saints, Brigham was in possession of the news, and the . people were listening with breathless attention to the most stirring, important ad- dress that ever their leader had uttered, for upon his decision depended peace or war.
" Brigham was undaunted. With the inspiration of such surroundings-the- grandeur of the Wasatch range of the Rocky Mountains everywhere encircling him, the stately trees whose foliage of a century's growth towered proudly to the heavens, the multitude of people before him who had listened to his counsels as if hearkening to the voice of the Most High-men and women who had followed him from the abodes of civilization to seek shelter in the wilderness from mobs, prattling innocents and youths who knew nothing of the world but Utah, and who looked to him as a father for protection-what could he not say?"
To say that the Mormons were taken with astonishment would be to misstate - the case. They had long looked for this issue. They had seen mobs marshaled against them from the beginning, but they had also been told by their Prophet Joseph Smith, early in his career, that "Some day they would see the United States come against them in war, and that the Lord should deliver them and bring glory to His name." Nothing more unlikely could have been uttered by this prophet of a few hundred disciples ; as likely was it that the stars of heaven should make war upon the earth in impotent wrath. They were not even in a location at that time where this was possible. The very prophecy foreshadowed their removal to the mountains, as though to invite the nation to the issue ; and its fulfillment bespoke a destiny in them superior to the destiny even of the United States. The nation was now coming against them, to verify the prophecy in the most literal manner. Hence, doubtless, the extraordinary trust and fortitude of the people, and the self-possession of their leaders. They had' no doubt as to the issue, though how God would work out their deliverance they saw not fully ..
Everything the Mormons did at that time was done in the most deliberate earnestness. Two messengers were immediately dispatched to England, to call home the American Elders in Europe, and ten thousand British Saints would
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have gathered that year, had it been possible, to share the fate of their brethren and sisters in the mountains; but all emigration was, of course now cut off. Never was there so much enthusiasm in the foreign missions as then. One could judge of the sublime enthusiasm at home by that which animated the Saints abroad. Yet they saw a mighty nation moving against the handful in the moun- tains, and moving with a settled resolve to annihilate the Mormon power at once and forever, leaving no seed on American territory from which that power might re-germinate. The papers of America and Europe teemed with these anticipations. It was broadly suggested that volunteers from every State should pour into Utah, make short work of the Saints, possess their cities, fill their Territory with a gentile population, and take their wives and daughters as spoil, thus breaking up the polygamic institution. For a time there was a prospect of this. Tens of thousands 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 a crusade, however, a civilized judgement could have found no excuse, not even on the plea of rebellion. At least, President Buchanan was made to see this much, and to appreciate that he could only use United States regular troops, and these only in the guise of a posse comitatus to the new Governor.
The sentiments that actuated the Mormon community at that time were of no doubtful tenor, as may be judged by the following extracts from Brigham's dis- courses to his people immediately after the receipt of the news.
"Liars have reported that this people have committed treason, and upon their misrepresentations the President has ordered out troops to aid in officering this Territory. If those officers are like many who have previously been sent here-and we have reason to believe that they are, or they would not come where they know they are not wanted-they are poor, broken down political hacks, not fit for the civilized society whence they came, and so they are dragooned upon us for officers. I feel that I won't bear such treatment (and that is enough to say,) for we are just as free as the mountain air. * This people are free ; they are not in bondage to any Government on God's footstool. We have trans- gressed no law, neither do we intend so to do; but as for any nation coming to destroy this people, God Almighty being my helper, it shall not be ! * * We have borne enough of their oppression and abuse, and we will not bear any more of it, for there is no just law requiring further forbearance on our part. And I am not going to permit troops here for the protection of the priests and the rabble in their efforts to drive us from the land we possess. The Lord does not want us to be driven, for He has said, ' If you will assert your rights, and keep my commandments, you shall never again be brought into bondage by your enemies ' * * They say that the coming of their army is legal; and I say that it is not ; they who say it are morally rotten. Come on with your thousands of illegally-ordered troops, and I promise you in the name of Israel's God, that they shall melt away as the snow before a July sun. * * * You might as well tell me that you can make hell into a powder-house as to tell me that they intend to keep an army here and have peace ! * * * I have told you that if this people will live their religion all will be well; and I have told you that if there is any man or woman who is not willing to destroy
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everything of their property that would be of use to an enemy if left, I would ad- vise them to leave the Territory. And I again say so to-day; for when the time comes to burn and lay waste our improvements, if any man undertakes to shield his he will be treated as a traitor ; for 'judgement will be laid to the line, and righteousness to the plummet.' Now the faint-hearted can go in peace; but should that time come, they must not interfere. Before I will again suffer as I have in times gone by there shall not one building, nor one foot of lumber, nor a fence, nor a tree, nor a particle of grass or hay, that will burn, be left in reach of our enemies. I am sworn, if driven to extremity, to ut- terly lay waste this land in the name of Israel's God, and our enemies shall find it as barren as when we came here."
It was at such a moment, as the picture suggests, that Capt. Van Vliet ar- rived in the city of the Saints. The Governor, the Lieut. General, Daniel H. Wells, Adjt. General Furguson, and the Apostles, received him with marked cor- diality, but with an open programme, They took him into their gardens. The sisters showed him the paradise that their woman hands would destroy if that invad- ing army came. He was awed by the prospect-his ordinary judgment con- founded by such extraordinary examples. To the wife of Albert Carrington, in whose garden he was walking, in conversation with the Governor and his party he exclaimed :
"What, madam ! would you consent to see this beautiful home in ashes and this fruitful orchard destroyed?"
" Yes!" answered Sister Carrington, with heroic resolution, " I would not only consent to it, but I would set fire to my home with my own hands, and cut down every tree and root up every plant !"
The following extracts from conversations between Governor Young and Captain Van Vliet, on the 12th and 13th of September, 1857, will be of interest, insomuch as they were had previous to the receipt, in Salt Lake City, of the news of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. Their accuracy may' be relied on, as they are transcribed from Apostle Woodruff's private journal, and were originally recorded within a few hours of their occurrence, and are amply verified by many persons then present :
"President Young. We do not want to fight the United States, but if they drive us to it, we shall do the best we can ; and I will tell you, as the Lord lives, we shall come off conquerers, for we trust in Him. God has set up his kingdom on the earth, and it will never fall. We shall do all we can to avert a collision, but if they drive us to it, God will overthrow them. If they would let us alone and say to the mobs : 'Now you may go and kill the Mormons if you can, but we will have nothing to do with it,' that would be all we would ask of them; but for the Government to array the army against us, is too despicable and damnable a thing for any honorable nation to do, and God will hold them in derision who do it. The United States are sending their armies here to simply hold us still until a mob can come and butcher us, as has been done before. -X- We are the sup- porters of the constitution of the United States, and we love that constitution 7
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and respect the laws of the United States ; but it is by the corrupt administra- tion of those laws that we are made to suffer. If the law had been vindicated in Missouri, it would have sent Governor Boggs to the gallows, along with those who murdered Joseph and Hyrum, and those other fiends who accomplised our expulsion from the States. Most of the Government officers who have been sent here have taken no interest in us, but, on the contrary, have tried many times to destroy us.
"Capt. Van Vliet This is the case with most men sent to the Territories. They receive their offices as a political reward, or as a stepping-stone to the Sena- torship; but they have no interest in common with the people.
This people has been lied about the worst of any people I ever saw.
The greatest hold that the Government now has upon you is in the accusation that you have burned the United States records.
" President Young. I deny that any books of the United States have been burned! All I ask of any man is, that he tell the truth about us, pay his debts and not steal, and then he will be welcome to come or go as he likes. * * If the Government has arrived at that state that it will try to kill this people be- cause of their religion, no honorable man should be afraid of it.
We would like to ward off this blow if we can; but the United States seem deter- mined to drive us into a fight. They will kill us if they can. A mob killed Joseph and Hyrum in jail, notwithstanding the faith of the State was pledged to protect them.
* I have broken no law, and under the present state of affairs I will not suffer myself to be taken by any United States officer, to be killed as they killed Joseph.
"Capt. Van Vliet : I do not think it is the intention of the Government to arrest you, but to install a new governor in the Territory.
"President Young: I believe you tell the truth-that you believe this-but you do not know their intentions as well as I do. When you get away from here you will think of a great many things that you have seen and heard : for instance, people have accused us of colleaguing with the Indians against the Government : they were much afraid that Joseph Smith would go among the Indians, and they wanted to keep him away from them; but now they have driven us into their midst. I want you to note the signs of the times; you will see that God will chastise this nation for trying to destroy both the Indians and the Mormons. * * If the Government persists in sending an army to destroy us, in the name of the Lord we shall conquer them. If they dare to force the issue, I shall not hold the Indians by the wrist any longer, for white men to shoot at them; they shall go ahead and do as they please. If the issue comes, you may tell the Government to stop all emigration across this continent, for the Indians will kill all who attempt it. And if an army suceceds in penetrating this valley, tell the Government to see that it has forage and provisions in store, for they will find here only a charred and barren waste.
"Capt. Van Vliet : * If our Government pushes this matter to the extent of making war upon you, I will withdraw from the army, for I will not have a hand in shedding the blood of American citizens.
"President Young: We shall trust in God. Congress
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has promptly sent investigating committees to Kansas and other places, as occa- sion has required ; but upon the merest rumor it has sent 2,000 armed soldiers to destroy the people of Utah, without investigating the subject at all.
" Capt. Van Vliet. The Government may yet send an investigating com- mittee to Utah, and consider it good policy, before they get through.
"President Young. I believe God has sent you here, and that good will grow out of it. I was glad when I heart you were coming.
"Capt. Van Vliet. I am anxious to get back to Washington as soon as I can. I have heard officially that General Harney has been recalled to Kansas to offi- ciate as Governor. I shall stop the train on Ham's Fork on my own respon- sibility.
" President Young. If we can keep the peace for this Winter I do think there will something turn up that may save the shedding of blood. "
The reader cannot fail to perceive that the terrible butchery at the Mountain Meadow-was farthest from Brigham Young's policy at that time, to say nothing of humanitarian considerations.
But, though Governor Young was aiming for some such consummation as that which came; he neither allowed himself nor his people to retreat a step from their chosen position. Indeed, in their stern fidelity to their cause was their only safety and successful outcome.
Captain Van Vliet thus reported to the commanding general of the army :
HAM'S FORK, September 16, 1857.
"Captain : I have the honor to report, for the information of the command- ing general, the result of my trip to the Territory of Utah.
" In obedience to special instructions, dated headquarters army for Utah, Fort Leavenworth, July 28, 1857, I left Fort Leavenworth, July 30, and reached Fort Kearny in nine travelling days, Fort Laramie in ten, and Great Salt Lake City in thirty-three and a half. At Fort Kearny I was detained one day by the changes I had to make and by sickness, and at Fort Laramie three days, as all the animals were forty miles from the post, and when brought in all had to be shod before they could take the road. I traveled as rapidly as it is possible to do with six mule wagons. Several of my teams broke down, and at least half of my animals are unserviceable and will remain so until they recruit. During my progress towards Utah I met many people from that Territory, and also several mountain men at Green river, and all informed me that I would not be allowed to enter Utah, and if I did I would run great risk of losing my life. I treated all this, however, as idle talk, but it induced me to leave my wagons and es- cort at Ham's Fork, 143 miles this side of the city, and proceed alone. I reached Great Salt Lake City without molestation, and immediately upon my arrival I informed Governor Brigham Young that I desired an interview, which he appointed for the next day. On the evening of the day of my arrival Gov_ ernor Young, with many of the leading men of the city, called upon me at my quarters. The governor received me most cordially and treated me during my stay, which continued some six days, with the greatest hospitality and kindness.
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In this interview the governor made known to me his views with regard to the approach of the United States troops, in plain and unmistakeable language.
" He stated that the Mormons had ben persecuted, murdered, and robbed in Missouri and Illinois both by the mob and State authorities, and that now the United States were about to pursue the same course, and that, therefore, he and the people of Utah had determined to resist all persecution at the commencement, and that the troops now on the march for Utah should not enter the Great Salt Lake valley. As he uttered these words all those present concurred most heartily in what he said.
" The next day, as agreed upon, I called upon the governor and delivered in person the letter with which I had been entrusted. In that interview, and in several subsequent ones, the same determination to resist to the death the en- trance of the troops into the valley was expressed by Governor Young and those about him.
" The governor informed me that there was abundance of everything I re- quired for the troops, such as lumber, forage, etc., but that none would be sold to us. In the course of my conversations with the governor and the influential men in the Territory, I told them plainly and frankly what I conceived would be the result of their present course. I told them that they might prevent the small military force now approaching Utah from getting through the narrow defiles and rugged passes of the mountains this year, but that next season the United States government would send troops sufficient to overcome all opposition. The answer to this was invariably the same: "We are aware that such will be the case ; but when those troops arrive they will find Utah a desert. Every house will be burned to the ground, every tree cut down, and every field laid waste. We have three years' provisions on hand, which we will 'cache,' and then take to the mountains and bid defiance to all the powers of the government." I at- tended their service on Sunday, and, in course of a sermon delivered by Elder Taylor, he referred to the approach of the troops and declared they should not enter the Territory. He then referred to the probability of an overpowering force being sent against them, and desired all present, who would apply the torch to their own buildings, cut down their trees, and lay waste their fields, to hold up their hands. Every hand, in an audience numbering over 4,000 persons, was raised at the same moment. During my stay in the city I visited several families, and all with whom I was thrown looked upon the present movement of the troops towards their Territory as the commencement of another religious persecution, and expressed a fixed determination to sustain Governor Young in any measures he might adopt. From all these facts I am forced to the conclu- sion that Governor Young and the people of Utah will prevent, if possible, the army for Utah from entering their Territory this season. This, in my opinion, will not be a difficult task, owing to the lateness of the season, the smallness of our force, and the defences that nature has thrown around the valley of the Great Salt Lake.
" There is but one road running into the valley on the side which our troops are approaching, and for over fifty miles it passes through narrow canyons and over rugged mountains, which a small force could hold against great odds. I am
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inclined however, to believe that the Mormons will not resort to actual hostilities until the last moment. Their plan of operations will be, burn the grass, cut up the roads, and stampede the animals, so as to delay the troops until the snow com- mences to fall, which will render the road impassable. Snow falls early in this re- gion, in fact last night it commenced falling at Fort Bridger, and this morning the surrounding mountains are clothed in white. Were it one month earlier in the season I believe the troops could force their way in, and they may be able to do so even now; but the attempt will be fraught with considerable danger, arising from the filling up of the canyons and passes with snow. I do not wish it to be consid- ered that I am advocating either the one course or the other. I simply wish to lay the facts before the general, leaving it to his better judgment to decide upon the proper movements. Notwithstanding my inability to make the purchases I was or- dered to, and all that Governor Young said in regard to opposing the entrance of the troops into the valley I examined the country in the vicinity of the city, with the view of selecting a proper military site. I visited the military reserve, Rush Valley, but found it, in my opinion, entirely unsuitable for a military station. It contains but little grass, and is very much exposed to the cold winds of win- ter ; its only advantage being the close proximity of fine wood. It is too far from the city, being between thirty-five and forty miles, and will require teams four days to go there and return.
I examined another point on the road to Rush Valley, and only about thirty miles from the city, which I consider a much more eligible position. It is in Tuelle Valley three miles to the north of Tuelle city, and possesses wood, water, and grass ; but it is occupied by the Mormons, who have some sixty acres under cultivation, with houses and barns on their land. These persons would have to be dispossessed or bought out. In fact there is no place within forty, fifty or sixty miles of the city suitable for a military position, that is not occupied by the in- habitants and under cultivation. On my return I examined the vicinity of Fort Bridger, and found it a very suitable position for wintering the troops and grazing the animals, should it be necessary to stop at that point. The Mormons occupy the fort at present, and also have a settlement about ten miles further up Black's Fork, called Fort Supply. These two places contain buildings sufficient to cover nearly half the troops now en route for Utah ; but I was informed that they would all be laid in ashes as the army advances. I have thus stated fully the result of my visit to Utah, and trusting that my conduct will meet the approval of the commanding general, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEWART VAN VLIET,
Captain A. Q. M.
"Captain Pleasanton,
A. A. Adj't Gen. Army for Utah, Fort Leavenworth.
"P. S .- I shall start on my return to-morrow, with an escort of ten men."
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CHAPTER XVIII.
GOVERNOR YOUNG PLACES THE TERRITORY UNDER MARTIAL LAW. THE MILITIA ORDERED OUT. THE SEAT OF WAR. CORRESPONDENCE BE- TWEEN GOVERNOR YOUNG AND COLONEL ALEXANDER. BURNING THE GOVERNMENT TRAINS. LOT SMITH'S STORY. CONGRESS DECLARES UTAH IN A STATE OF REBELLION.
The next day after the departure of Van Vliet, the Governor issued the fol- lowing proclamation, placing the Territory under martial law :
" Citizens of Utah :- We are invaded by a hostile force, who are evidently assailing us to accomplish our overthrow and destruction.
"For the last twenty-five years we have trusted officials of the Government, from constables and justices to judges, governors and presidents, only to be scorned, held in derision, insulted and betrayed. Our houses have been plundered and then burned, our fields laid waste, our principal men butchered while under the pledged faith of the Government for their safety, and our families driven from their homes to find that shelter in the barren wilderness, and that protection among hostile savages which were denied them in the boasted abodes of Christi- anity and civilization.
" The constitution of our common country guarantees to us all that we do now, or have ever, claimed.
" If the constitutional rights which pertain to us as American citizens were extended to Utah according to the spirit and meaning thereof, and fairly and im- partially administered, it is all that we could ask-all that we ever asked.
" Our opponents have availed themselves of prejudices existing against us because of our religious faith, to send out a formidable host to accomplish our de- struction. We have had no privilege, no opportunity of defending ourselves from the false, foul and unjust aspersions against us, before the nation.
" The Government has not condescended to cause an investigating commit- tee or other persons to be sent to enquire into and ascertain the truth, as is cus- tomary in such cases.
"We know those aspersions to be false, but that avails us nothing. We are condemned unheard, and forced to an issue with an armed mercenary mob, which has been sent against us at the instigation of anonymous letter-writers, ashamed to father the base, slanderous falsehoods which they have given to the public ; of corrupt officials who have brought false accusations against us to screen themselves in their own infamy; and of hireling priests and howling editors, who prostitute the truth for filthy lucre's sake.
"The issue which has been thus forced upon us compels us to resort to the great first law of self-preservation, and stand in our own defence, a right guar- anteed to us by the genius and institutions of our country, and upon which the
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government is based. Our duty to ourselves, to our families, requires us not to tamely submit to be driven and slain, without an attempt to preserve ourselves; our duty to our country, our holy religion, our God, to freedom and liberty, re- quires that we should not quietly stand still, and see those fetters forging around us which are calculated to enslave, and bring us in subjection to an unlawful mil- itary despotism, such as can only emanate in a country of constitutional law, from usurpation, tyranny and oppression.
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