30.04.2013 Views

History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

CHAPTER XVIII.<br />

THE GOVERNMENT IN ARMS,<br />

1853-1857.<br />

<strong>Brigham</strong> as Dictator—<strong>Utah</strong> Seeks Admission as a State—Dissatisfaction<br />

among the Saints—Conflicting Judiciaries—The New Federal<br />

Officials—Disputes with Judge Drgmmond—Colonel Steptoe<br />

—An Expedition Ordered to <strong>Utah</strong>—Official Blunders—The Troops<br />

Assemble at Fort Leavenworth—Hockaday and Magraw's Mail<br />

Contract—The <strong>Brigham</strong> <strong>Young</strong> Express—Celebration <strong>of</strong> the Pioneer<br />

Anniversary—News <strong>of</strong> the Coming Invasion—Its Effect on<br />

the Mormons—Arrival <strong>of</strong> Major Van Vliet—The Nauvoo Legion<br />

—Mormon Tactics.<br />

"I am and will be governor, and no power can hinder<br />

it," declared <strong>Brigham</strong> in a sabbath discourse at<br />

the tabernacle in June 1853; "until," he added with<br />

characteristic shrewdness, "the Lord almighty says,<br />

'<strong>Brigham</strong>, you need not be governor any longer.'" 1<br />

After the departure <strong>of</strong> the runaway <strong>of</strong>ficials in September<br />

1851, there were none to dispute the authority<br />

<strong>of</strong> the governor, and for several years his will was<br />

law. At the opening <strong>of</strong> the joint sessions <strong>of</strong> the assembly,<br />

a committee was appointed to escort him to<br />

the hall <strong>of</strong> the representatives, where he took his seat<br />

in front <strong>of</strong> the speaker's chair, the members and spectators<br />

rising in a body as he entered. The message<br />

was then read by his private secretary ; it was ordered<br />

that a thousand copies <strong>of</strong> it be printed for the use <strong>of</strong><br />

both houses, and that it be published in the Deseret<br />

News for the benefit <strong>of</strong> the people. The assembly<br />

then adjourned, and at the meetings which followed<br />

1 Journal <strong>of</strong> Discourses, i. 135.<br />

Hist. <strong>Utah</strong>. 31 I 481 )

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!