USA > Utah > History of Utah > Part 44
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Your memorialists, the Governor and Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah, respectfully pray your honorable body to provide for the establishment of a national railroad from some eligible point on the Mississippi or Missouri River to San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento or Astoria, or such other point on or near the Pacific coast, as the wisdom of your honorable body may dictate.
Your memorialists respectfully state that the immense emigration to and from the Pacific requires the immediate attention, guardian care and fostering assistance of the greatest and most liberal government on the face of the earth. Your memorialists are of the opinion that not less than five thousand American citizens have perished on the different routes within the last three years, for the want of proper means of transportation.
That an eligible route can be obtained your memorialists have no doubt. Being extensively acquainted with the country, we know that no obstruction exists between this point and San Diego, and that iron, coal, timber, stone and other materials exist in various places on the route, and that the settlements of this Territory are so situated as to amply supply the builders of this road with materials and provisions, for a considerable portion of the route, and to carry on an extensive trade after the road is completed.
Your memorialists are of opinion that the mineral resources of California and these mountains can never be fully developed to the benefit of the people of the United States without the construction of such a road; and upon its completion the entire trade of China and the East Indies will pass through the heart of the Union, thereby giving our citizens the almost entire control of the Asiatic and Pacific trade, pouring into the lap of the American states the millions that are now diverted through other commercial channels ; and last, though not least, the road therein proposed would be a perpetual chain or iron band which would effectually hold together our glorious Union, with an imperishable identity of mutual interest, thereby consolidating our relations with foreign powers in times of peace, and our defense from foreign invasion by the speedy transmission of troops and supplies in times of war. The earnest attention of Congress to this important subject is solicited by your memorialists, who in duty bound will ever pray.
At the same session of the Legislature, Congress was petitioned for the establishment of a trans-continental telegraph line.
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Like George Stephenson, when bringing before the British Parliament his locomotive railway innovations, Dr. Bernhisel, when submitting the above memorial to the American Congress, was smiled at and told that he was a hundred years ahead of the age. Nothing daunted, the Utah delegate humorously invited the nation's legislators to ride over the road on its completion and come and visit him at Salt Lake City. Twenty years later some of them actually did so, but it is questionable if they would have had the privilege that early, had not the people of Utah, by their Legislature, -then overwhelmingly Mormon-repeatedly petitioned Congress for the construction of the great railway, until finally it was authorized. As another proof that the Mormons were in earnest in this matter,- that they really wanted a railway to pass through Utah, and were disappointed because its advent was so long delayed, we present the following excerpt from Governor Young's message to the Legislature, dated December 12th, 1853 :
Since my last communication to your Honorable Body, nothing of serious importance has occurred, except the hostilities of the Utah Indians, to disturb the usual peace and quiet routine of the business affairs pertaining to our Mountain Government. The annual pilgrim host have come, and passed on to the land of gold, unobtrusively, and with unprecedented harmony, leaving occasional representatives here and there, who, either through choice or necessity, tarry awhile in the valleys of the mountains, awaiting the moving trains of another season, to escort them to rejoin their brethren at the shrine of their worship, the shining dust of the new-born star.
The immigration to this Territory has been considerable, amounting, it is estimated, to about ten thousand souls ; of these, a portion are from the Northern European States, and the British Isles, a very fair division to Utah, of the annual foreign immigration to the States, when we consider her far inland position.
Utah! fair Utah! behold her in the midst of the snow-capped mountains, narrow vales or extended plains ; no navigable river penetrates her surface, nor proceeds from her mountain fastnesses, on which to bear to her bosom the commerce of the nations.
The iron horse has not yet found his way along her narrow vales nor yet have the lightning wires conveyed to her citizens the latest news. In silent grandeur she reposes, content in her internal resources, unacquainted with the hurried excitement of the day or the passing wonder of the fleeting moment. For weeks, aye months, the ox trains drag their heavy weights along with whatever mail matter might have been entrusted in a day long since past and forgotten. Perhaps there are no people in this age of rapid communi- cation, so isolated as ourselves.
32-VOL. 1.
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In our internal intercourse, we have frequent exchanges with each other, but outside of this narrow compass, from two to seven months frequently intervene without a word from any source beyond the limit of the Great Basin.
It would seem probable that if the authorities at Washington could only realize themselves in our position in this respect they would exercise a little clemency and use a little exertion to let us hear from them as often as twice a month, if not weekly. We are not very nomadical in our pursuits and may usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of the Great Salt Lake, although it is said that we have wandered to the Gallipagos. Having no intention of straying so far, just at present, I propose that Congress be advised of the fact that we are still hereabouts, and may easily be found on enquiry. It might also be well to suggest to the department, that it would be as well, that is, if they wish to accommodate us with the mails, to let their contracts to such persons as make bids with the expectation of fulfilling them, and who will provide suitably to do it with some prospect of success.
The contracts heretofore would never justify extra expense, consequently the contractor's feeble attempts of course prove fruitless, and we have been left without a solitary mail, for over a half a year at a time.
We recognize in the Pacific Railway a work worthy the attention of a great and enterprising people ; and pass where it will we cannot fail to be benefitted by it. The present overflowing coffers of the public treasury, seem a propitious omen for its speedy accomplishment, if Congress exercises that wisdom for the benefit of the nation, which will secure to herself the greatest political, as well as pecuniary advantages possessed in the century in which we live. It is of incalculable convenience and profit in times of peace. and indispensable in war. In addition to throwing into the lap of the nation the treasures and commerce of the Eastern Continent, and the Pacific isles, its accomplish- ment cannot fail by reason of furnishing so rapid a conveyance, to carry influence and. power from one extremity of the Union to the other, and make her the arbiter of the world. It will greatly increase the commerce on the seas and afford it the most powerful protection.
Owing to the death of the deeply lamented Captain Gunnison and a portion of his party, who were engaged in exploring a route for this road, through this region of country, it is possible that its advantages may measurably be lost sight of, or remain unknown until a location of some route is made. I have therefore thought proper to call your attention to this subject, hoping that the interest which is known to exist in favor of this route. will not permit it to suffer for the want of proper representation to Congress.
Pursuant to the Governor's suggestion, during the month following the delivery of the message in question, a mammoth mass meeting convened at Salt Lake City and took steps toward memorializing Congress for the construction of a railway from the Missouri River via South Pass and Salt Lake Valley to the Pacific.
In the summer of 1852 the tenet of celestial or plural marriage -commonly called polygamy-which was destined to become in after
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years the leading question of the so-called "Utah Problem," was for the first time publicly proclaimed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It had been practiced, as seen, at Nauvoo, and subsequently at Winter Quarters and in Utah; but up to this time the Church had never enunciated it. The practice, however, had long been evident, even to strangers visiting Utah; little or no effort being made by the Saints to conceal it. It had also been much commented upon, not only by such critics as Judge Brocchus and his colleagues, and others equally inimical to the Mormons, but by friendly visitors as well. Many had recorded and published their observations and impressions regarding the Latter-day Saints and their peculiar marital institution. Among the fairest writers may be mentioned Captain Stansbury and Lieutenant Gunnison, of whom we have before spoken. It will be well to give here a few extracts from Stansbury's fair and unprejudiced view of this feature of the Mormon faith. Says he :
But it is in their private and domestic relations that this singular people exhibit the widest departure from the habits and practice of all others denominating themselves Christian. I refer to what has been generally termed the "spiritual wife system," the practice of which was charged against them in Illinois, and served greatly to prejudice the public mind in that State. It was then, I believe, most strenuously denied by thein that any such practice prevailed, nor is it now openly avowed, either as a matter sanctioned by their doctrine or discipline. But that polygamy does actually exist among them cannot be concealed from any one of the most ordinary observation, who has spent even a short time in this community. I heard it proclaimed from the stand, by the President of the Church himself, that he had the right to take a thousand wives, if he thought proper : and he defied anyone to prove from the Bible that he had not. At the same time, I have never known any member of the community to avow that he himself had more than one, although that such was the fact was as well known and understood as any fact could be.
If a man, once married, desires to take him a second helpmate, he must first, as with us, obtain the consent of the lady intended, and that of her parents or guardians, and afterward the approval of the seer or president, without which the matter cannot pro- reed. The woman is then " sealed " to him under the solemn sanction of the Church, and stands, in all respects, in the same relation to the man, as the wife that was first married. The union thus formed is considered a perfectly virtuous and honorable one, and the lady maintains, without blemish, the same position in society to which she would be entitled were she the sole wife of her husband. Indeed, the connection being under the sanction of the only true priesthood, is deemed infinitely more sacred and binding than any marriage among the gentile world, not only on account of its higher and more
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sacred authority, but inasmuch as it bears directly upon the future state of existence of both the man and the woman ; for it is the doctrine of the Church, that no woman can attain to celestial glory without the husband, nor can he arrive at full perfection in the next world without at least one wife; and the greater the number he is able to take with him, the higher will be his seat in the celestial paradise.
All idea of sensuality, as the motive of such unions, is most indignantly repudiated ; the avowed object being to raise up, as rapidly as possible, " a holy generation to the Lord," who shall build up His kingdom on the earth. Purity of life, in all the domestic relations, is strenuously inculcated ; and they do not hesitate to declare, that when they shall obtain the uncontrolled power of making their own civil laws, (which will be when they are admitted as one of the States of the Union,) they will punish the departure from chastity in the severest manner, even by death.
As the seer or president alone possesses the power to approve of these unions, so also, he alone can absolve the parties from their bonds, should circumstances in his judgment render it at any time either expedient or necessary. It may easily be perceived, then, what a tremendous influence the possession of such a power must give to him who holds it, and how great must be the prudence, firmness, sagacity, and wisdom required in one who thus stands in the relation of confidential adviser, as well as of civil and ecclesiastical ruler, over this singularly constituted community.
Upon the practical working of this system of plurality of wives, I can hardly be expected to express more than a mere opinion. Being myself an " out-sider " and a " gentile," it is not to be supposed that I should have been permitted to view more than the surface of what is in fact as yet but an experiment, the details of which are sedulously veiled from public view. So far, however, as my intercourse with the inhabitants afforded me an opportunity of judging, its practical operation was quite different from what I had anticipated. Peace, harmony, and cheerfulness seemed to prevail, where my preconceived notions led me to look for nothing but the exhibition of petty jealousies, envy, bickerings, and strife. Confidence and sisterly affection among the different members of the family seemed pre-eminently conspicuous, and friendly intercourse among neighbors, with balls, parties, and merry-makings at each others' houses, formed a prominent and agreeable feature of the society. In these friendly reunions, the president, with his numerous fam- ily, mingled freely, and was ever an honored and welcome guest, tempering by his pres- ence the exuberant hilarity of the young, and not unfrequently closing with devotional exercises the gayety of a happy evening.
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To this irreconcilable difference, not in speculative opinions only, but in habits, man- ners, and customs necessarily growing out of them, may, I think, in a great measure, be attributed the bitter hostility of the people among whom they formerly dwelt, and which resulted in their forcible expulsion.
Lieutenant Gunnison, upon the same subject, writes :
Thus guarded in motive and denounced as sin for other considerations than divine, the practical working of the system, so far as now extended, has every appearance of decorum.
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The romantic notion of a single love is derided, and met by calling attention to the case of parental affection ; where the father's good will is bestowed alike on each of his many children ; and they pretend to see a more rational application of a generous soul in loving more than one wife, than in the bigotry of a partial adhesion.
It was during a special conference of the Church, held at Salt Lake City on the 28th and 29th of August, that the public avowal of plural marriage was made. The conference convened in the building which afterwards became known as the "Old Tabernacle," though it was then quite new, having been completed for dedication on the 6th of the preceding April. It stood upon the south-west corner of Temple Block, on the site now occupied by the handsome and stately Assembly Hall. It was built chiefly of adobes. Its dimensions were 126 by 64 feet, the interior being arched without a pillar. It was capable of seating between two and three thousand people. The "Old Bowery * was now no more, having been unroofed and taken apart and much of its material used in constructing the new place of worship.
There on the 29th of August, 1852, the revelation on Celestial Marriage, first recorded from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith on July 12th, 1843, was read to the assembled Saints and sustained by the uplifted hands of the large congregation as a doctrine of their faith and a revelation from the Almighty. The same day Apostle Orson Pratt preached to the conference the first authorized public discourse on the subject of plural "marriage. Thousands of copies of the revelation were published and circulated throughout the Union and carried by missionaries to various parts of the world. One of these is preserved in the Deseret Museum. It is the proof revised by Editor Willard Richards, and authenticated by James McKnight, at that time foreman of the Deseret News.
At this conference Orson Pratt received an appointment to - preside over the branches of the Church in the Eastern 'States and Canada; his headquarters to be at the city of Washington, where he was directed to establish a paper advocating the cause of the Saints. In that paper-The Seer-was duly set forth, among other tenets, the
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polygamie principle of the Mormon faith. Thus was plural marriage proclaimed to the world.
The year 1852 was notable not only for the continued extension and growth of the Utah settlements, but also for improvements of different kinds projected and forwarded at various points. A chain of Mormon towns and villages now extended from the neighborhood of Bear River on the north, to within twenty-five miles of the southern rim of the Great Basin. The Santa Clara region was about being occupied. Settlements were also forming east and west of Salt Lake Valley, though not so rapidly as in other directions. In the west, on Mary's River-now in Nevada-the Indians were very troublesome, robbing and killing travelers, stealing cattle and committing various other depredations. A settlement in that vicinity was contemplated, in order to bring the savages under civilizing influences and preserve peaceful relations with them.
Mountains of coal and iron had previously been discovered in southern Utah, but now furnaces were erected and pig iron manufactured in Iron County. This led to the formation of the Deseret Iron Company, which was chartered by the Legislature during the following winter.
Near Manti, in Sanpete County, a fine quality of beautiful white building stone-oolite-had been found and was now being quarried. The present temple at Manti is composed of this stone, which at one time was thought to be more suitable for building purposes than any other rock in Utah. The granite quarries in Little Cottonwood Canyon, which furnished the stone for the Salt Lake Temple, were just being developed.
During 1852 William Ward, a young architect and sculptor, a native of Leicester, England, but then a resident of Utah, carved out of the Manti rock several handsome specimens of his handiwork. One of these was a block for the Washington Monument, a contribution from the Territory previously authorized by the Legislature. The stone was three feet long, two feet wide and six-and-a-half inches thick. In the centre was the emblematic bee-
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hive and under it the word "Deseret." Over the hive was the All-seeing Eye. The whole was surmounted and flanked with foliage and other symbols, beautifully wrought by the sculptor's chisel. This stone, when completed, was forwarded to Washington, and in due time found its place, among similar offerings from the various States and Territories, in the grand and lofty structure reared to the memory of the Father of his Country. Ward the sculptor also carved the stone lion still to be seen on the front portico of the famous Lion House in Salt Lake City .*
Public buildings were erected this year at Salt Lake, Fillmore, Parowan and other places. The principal improvement at Fillmore was the construction of one wing of the State House. Among the new buildings at Salt Lake City was the Social Hall, which superseded the Old Bowery as the local temple of the drama. The building of a wall around Temple Block, begun sometime before, was continued, and a woolen mill and a sugar factory were projected. Grist and saw mills had long since been in operation all over the Territory. Cutlery establishments, potteries and various other industries were also running successfully.
Governor Young and other leaders of the community were very strenuous at this period upon the subjects of manual training and home manufacture. Said the Governor, in his message to the Legislature in January of that year: "Deplorable indeed must be the situation of that people whose sons are not trained in the practice of every useful avocation, and whose daughters mingle not in the hive of industry. Produce what you consume; draw from the native elements the necessaries of life; permit no vitiated taste to lead you into indulgence of expensive luxuries, which can only be obtained by involving yourselves in debt. Let home industry produce every article of home consumption."
At the Governor's suggestion, appropriations were made by the
* Mr. Ward, after many years absence from Utah, has lately returned to the Territory, and now resides in Salt Lake City.
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Legislature to encourage the local manufacturing interests. He also asked for protective legislation to foster the infant industries. The total revenue of the Territory for the past year, from an assessed valuation of taxable property fixed at $1,160,883.80, was $26,670.58; over ten thousand dollars of which was still out. Of the amount collected, not more than one-tenth was paid in cash, wheat being the chief article substituted. Nearly ten thousand dollars were expended for printing, surveys, roads, bridges, and the manufacturing and edu- cational interests of the Territory.
Governor Young's views upon the question of slavery cannot fail to be interesting to the general reader. Said he in his message to the Legislature from which we last quoted :
The practice of purchasing Indian children for slaves is a trade carried on by the Mexican population of New Mexico and California. These traders of late years have extended their traffic into the limits of this Territory. This trade I have endeavored to prevent, and this fall, happening to encounter a few of them in my travels as Superinten- dent of Indian Affairs, strictly prohibited their further traffic. The majority of them appeared satisfied, and after making an exchange of property in the settlements, returned to their own country ; unfortunately, however, a few of them still determined to carry on their nefarious traffic; they have been arrested and are now on their trial in this city.
It is unnecessary for me to indicate the true policy for Utah in regard to slavery. Restrictions of law and government make all servants ; but human flesh to be dealt in as property is not consistent or compatible with the true principles of government. My own feelings are that no property can or should be recognized as existing in slaves, either Indian or African. No person can purchase them without their becoming as free, so far as natural rights are concerned, as persons of any other color ; under the present law and degraded situation of the Indian race, so long as the practice of gambling away, selling and otherwise disposing of their children, as also sacrificing prisoners, obtains among them, it seems indeed that any transfer would be to them a relief and a benefit. Many a life by this means is saved ; many a child redeemed from the thralldom of savage barbarity and placed upon an equal footing with the more favored portions of the human race. If in return for favors and expenses which may have been incurred on their account, service should be considered due, it would become necessary that some law should provide the suitable regulations under which all such indebtedness should be defrayed. This may be said to present a new feature in the traffic of human beings, it is essentially purchasing them into freedom instead of slavery ; but it is not the low, servile drudgery of Mexican slavery, to which I would doom them, not to be raised among beings scarcely superior to themselves, but where they could find that consideration pertaining not only to civilized, but humane and benevolent society.
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So shall the benevolence of the human heart be called into action, to promote the improvement of the down-trodden race whose fathers long swayed the destiny of empires; so shall the condition of the poor, forlorn, destitute, ignorant savage, or African, as the case may be, become ameliorated and a foundation laid for their advancement in the scale of useful, exalting existence ; useful to themselves, to their nation, and all who shall come within the purview of their influence.
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