"In regard to the war now desolating the country, it is but the fulfilment of the prophecies of Joseph Smith, which he told me thirty years ago. Brother 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 destroyed; and for my part I give it God speed; for they have spilt the blood of the Prophet. [To which the audience responded vociferously, 'Amen!']
"I would like to live in peace with the Government of the United States, but have no desire to live with the people who have brought ruin and disgrace 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 for myself, where I may live and enjoy my civil and religious liberties. [Loud cries of 'Amen,' and 'Yes, yes,' on the part of the entire assemblage.]
"When our rights, and the protection of our liberties are taken from us, what is there remaining? [Voices, 'Nothing,' 'Nothing.'] Yes, service to despots,—service to tyrants."
Brigham also said that money had been appropriated for the purpose of turning the mail by the way of Panama; and these men were not above taking money for such a purpose, under pretence of other business.
The injustice and falsity of these statements concerning the bill introduced into Congress, and which was the immediate cause of this outbreak, will be manifest, when it is stated that so far from authorizing 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 officers were to be appointed by the Governor, the bill in other sections provided that nearly all civil officers of the Territory, who were before elected by the Legislature, should be elected by the people.
The effect of the bill would have been, to enable the people, when they became generally dissatisfied with the spiritual tyranny to which they were submitting, as many 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 was foreseen by Brigham. He saw that he was about to lose the powerful enginery of the judicial system of the Territory, then under his control. Hence the demonstration.
There are but two ways in which this theocratic despotism can be met and overthrown. One is, by the people of the Territory, aided by some such legislation as that proposed. The other is by the strong arm of military power. The former would be more congenial to our institutions.
Time only can determine which must be resorted to. Doubtless the employment of force will become necessary in either case,—as the course taken by Young and his associates on this occasion shows that a peaceable remedy will be forcibly resisted.
After listening to such speeches, the audience were, of course, ready to adopt or approve of anything; and the following resolutions, prepared for the occasion, were passed without a dissenting voice:—