History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

574
POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND INSTITUTIONAL.
pected and almost hoped that the Nauvoo legion
would measure its strength with the army of Utah,
but by a little timely forbearance on both sides the
threatened encounter was averted. Soon afterward
the judges were instructed as to their duty in an offi-
cial letter from the attorney-general, and were ordered
to confine themselves within their official sphere,
which was to try causes, and not to intermeddle with
the movements of the troops—the latter responsibility
resting only with the governor. " In a territory like
Utah," he remarked, "the person who exercises this
power can make war and peace when he pleases, and
holds in his hands the issues of life and death for
thousands. Surely it was not intended to clothe each
one of the judges, as well as the marshal and all his
deputies, with this tremendous authority. Especially
does this construction seem erroneous when we reflect
that these different officers might make requisitions
conflicting with one another, and all of them crossing
the path of the governor." 5 The judges were superseded
a few months later; 6 and thus the matter was
finally set at rest, the action of the governor being
sustained, although he became so unpopular with the
cabinet that for a time his removal was also under
consideration. 7 Though his resignation was not de-
account of the matter: ' I told dimming myself that we didn't intend the
Carthage scene reenacted, and he knew that we intended to resist the troops,
which we did. I went to see Cumming frequently, and talked the matter
over with him, and he declared himself that he could not recommend Gov.
Young to trust himself to that military mob; but he did say he could not see
how bloodshed could be hindered. I told him we would not let them come;
that if they did come, they would never get out alive if we could help it.
He said he did not know what to do.' ' They knew that if they did come, we
were ready for them, and that we were ready to cut off their retreat. It gave
us a good deal of trouble, and anxiety as well, to prepare against it, as it
occurred at a time when we were putting in our crops.' Narr., MS., 63^4.
5 Soon after a mass-meeting of gentiles was held at Camp Floyd, at which
the judges took a prominent part. An address was drawn up, rehearsing all
the crimes imputed to Mormons, stating that they were still disloyal to the
government, and censuring the president for his interference.
6 Their successors are mentioned in the next chapter. Cradlebaugh, refus-
ing to recognize the right of the president to remove him, continued in office
for a short time, but finding himself unsupported by the government, left
Utah and settled in Nevada, whence he was twice sent as delegate to congress.
Wake's The Mormon Prophet, 75-6.
7 Stenhouse's Rocky Mountain Saints, 413; Tullidge's Hist. S. L. City, 233.