History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

MORMON COMPLICITY. 561
that for a long time afterward no allusion to it was
made in the tabernacle or in the Deseret News—the
church organ of the saints—and then only to deny
that the Mormons had any share in it; 34 and that no
mention was made in the Deseret News of the arrival
or departure of the emigrants;—all this was, at best,
but presumptive evidence, and did not excuse the
slur that was now cast on the church and the church
dignitaries. " I fear, and I regret to say it," remarks
the superintendent of Indians affairs, in August 1859,
" that with certain parties here there is a greater
anxiety to connect Brigham Young and other church
dignitaries with every criminal offence than diligent
endeavor to punish the actual perpetrators of crime." 35
The judge's remarks served no purpose, except to
draw forth from the mayor of Provo a protest against
the presence of the troops, as an infringement of the
rights of American citizens. The judge replied that
good American citizens need have no fear of American
troops, whereupon the citizens of Provo petitioned
Governor Gumming to order their removal. Cumming,
who was then at Provo, was officially informed
by the mayor that the civil authorities were prepared
and ready to keep in safe custody all prisoners arrested
for trial, and others whose presence might be neces-
sary. He therefore requested General Johnston to
withdraw the force which was then encamped at the
court-house, stating that its presence was unnecessary.
The general refused to comply, being sustained in his
14 The massacre is thus mentioned for the first time in the Millennial Star,
xxxix. 785 (Dec. 3, 1877). 'The reader cannot fail to perceive that any overt
act—much less the terrible butchery at Mountain Meadows—was farthest
from Brigham Young's policy at that time, to say nothing of humanitarian
considerations. There can be but one just view of that melancholy event
that it was an act of retaliation by the Indians.' The emigrants are then
accused of the poisoning at Corn Creek, and blamed for taking the southern
route contrary to the advice of the Mormons. Forney states that the names
of the guilty parties were published in the Valley Tan. Sen. Doc, 36th Cong.
1st Sess., ii. no. 42, p. 86.
35 Letter to the commissioner of Indian affairs, in Sen. Doc., 36th Cong.
1st Sess., ii. no. 42, p. 74. Capt. Lynch. Id., p. 84, calls Forney 'a veritable
old granny,' but, with the exception of Gov. Gumming, he appears to be the
only one who kept his head at this juncture.
Hist. Utah. 36
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