1857-07-06-New York Herald-Mormon Celebration of the Fourth at Norwalk

Revision as of 14:50, 22 November 2013

Mormon Celebration of the Fourth at Norwalk

New York Herald, 6 July 1857, p. 3, col. A

Mormon Celebration of the Fourth at Norwalk

Patriotic Oration of a Mormon Leader-—The Saints’ Opinion of the Constitution—-The Policy of Brigham Young Explained by His Disciples, &c.

The Norwalk and Westport, Conn., branch of the Mormon church having invited their brethren from New York and other places to participate with them in a patriotic celebration of the Fourth of July at Norwalk, and judging that they would take that opportunity of making some public exposition of their views regarding the present critical state of affairs in Utah Territory, we despatched a reporter to attend the celebration; and it will be seen by the following report of the proceedings that we were not mistaken. The statements made on this occasion by leading members of the Mormon community are highly interesting, and will throw much light on the complicated condition of things now existing in Salt Lake City and the Territory of Utah.

A party of the brethren from this city, including the choir and orchestra, left for Norwalk on the steamboat John Hart on Friday afternoon. On arriving there, our reporter found that little was known of the next day's celebration by the citizens of Norwalk, but through the kindness of Mr. Stephenson, of the Norwalk Hotel, he was enabled to make the acquaintance of some of the elders of the branch there who gave him every information, and treated him with the greatest courtesy. Had the weather of the previous few days been favorable large delegations from Boston, Philadelphia, New Haven and New York would have been present. As it was, the celebration was confined to a small number from Norwalk, Westport and New York.

The morning's train from this city brought a considerable number of guets, and on its arrival the party proceeded on board the sloop William Miller, chartered to go to an island in the bay known as Nauvoo Island. Its name was originally Smith's Island; but since last Fourth of July, on which occasion the Mormons had a celebration there, it bears the name of Nauvoo Island. This is the third celebration of the national anniversary which the Saints in the Eastern States have had.

At 11 o'clock the sloop left the wharf, the choir singing one of Christy's popular songs as she floated away. The Mormons do not confine themselves to sacred music. All the popular songs of the day--English glees, negro melodies, and even sentimental ballads--they bring into their service. Their hymns are for the most part sung to familiar "profane" airs. Judging from the events of the Fourth, solemnity or seriousness of deportment forms no part of their faith; nor do long faces and glum looks constitute with them an adjunct of piety. Jollity, good humor, lively music and kindly feelings were the prevailing features of the occasion. The men were mostly young. The ladies, though of all ages, seemed strongly to possess a uniformity of good spirits, the oldest among them going into the enjoyment of the day with as much gusto as the youngest. When one of the young ladies of the company said to our reporter "Well, I guess you didn't expect to find the Mormons such a jolly set," he had to "acknowledge the corn;" for in fact he expected to see the ladies all costumed in "Shakers'" skirts of piously small circumference, straight laced in manner and demure in countenance. But on the contrary, he found in the picturesque groups assembled on the woody knoll of Nauvoo island all the modern appliances of city belles (including hoops), the radiant faces, sparkling eyes and artistically arranged hair that one usually meets with at a pic-nic party, where neither piety nor patriotism is supposed to be represented.

It was with some reserve that our reporter introduced himself to Brother Young, the President of the Norwalk and Westport branch of the Mormons, and expressed a wish to accompany the party, for he was led to believe that a Gentile, and especially a Gentile of the press, was an obnoxious individual in the eyes of the elect. Brother Young, however, cordially extended him the hospitality of the brethren; and it is to his kindness we are mainly indebted for the means of laying so much that is interesting before our readers this morning. On that boat were Brother Appleby, of New York, President of the Mormon Church in the Eastern States, and intellectual looking gentleman, of tall and portly form; he is the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Utah Territory, but has been in New York over a year, his duties being now performed by a deputy; Judge Doolan, of the New York Mormon; W. H. Miles, President of the New York branch; Elder Savage, under whose care the choir and orchestra are placed; Brother Mackintosh, just arrived from Salt Lake City; Brother Ott, President of the New York Conference, and Brother Hall, also from Salt Lake City. In conversation with some of these leading brethren of the Mormon church our reporter learned many interesting facts and opinions. They spoke unreservedly, and answered all questions freely. Believing that a statement of their views will prove agreeable to our readers, we publish them in substance, as given to our reporter:--

BRIGHAM YOUNG'S RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS.

The policy which Gov. Youg pursues towards the Indians, Mr. Mackintosh says, is not what it is represented--one of conciliation with any view to a friendly alliance against the United States authority. His policy is simply that he would rather feed than fight them. He finds it cheaper and more convenient. Sometimes, when they steal cattle or molest his people, he is compelled to chastise them, but he finds a wholesome warning and threats of vengeance, accompanied by kindly acts, more powerful in repressing them than an open declaration of hostility. Mr. Mackintosh was secretary to Gov. Young for four years, and is now a missionary appointed to travel in the United States. He is one of those who crossed the Plains lately with the hand carts. He describes that journey of six weeks as being of the pleasantest character, the party resting at night under their tents, and conducting everything with the precision of a disciplined force.

ALIENISM OF THE MORMONS.

Mr. Appleby assured our reporter that the necessity of becoming citizens of the United States was universally enjoined on all emigrants to Utah. That neither Gov. Young nor any of the elders desired that their people should be other than loyal citizens of the republic. He could testify to the naturalization of thousands, whose papers he had himself signed, as clerk of the Supreme Court, within a few years. Mr. Mackintosh stated that he was a Scotchman from Perthshire, only in the country since 1849, and produced his naturalization papers in proof of citizenship.

WHO OWNS THE LAND IN UTAH.

Our reporter having asked for information as to the ownership of land in the Teritory, he was informed that the pubiic lands are not in the market yet; that the Indian title is not extinguished, though $45,000 was voted some two years ago for that purpose, which has never been paid; that there is no land office in the Territory. When it is established, it is the intention of Mormons to purchase, claiming, of course, a pre-emption right. That the idea that Brigham Young claims all the land as his own is a malicious and absurd slander.

THE CHARACTER OF BRIGHAM.

Mr. Mackintosh, Brigham Young's Secretary for four years, spoke highly of the Governor. He says he is a perfect gentleman--neither drinks nor swears. His moral character stands as high as any living man. He believes in polygamy, to be sure, and practices it; but Mr. Mackintosh could not tell exactly how many wives he had at present. Our reporter having some curiosity to know whether the Prophet was maligned, asked if Brigham was not vulgar, profane, and often blasphemous, in his public speeches; and he was informed that he sometimes used "strong language" when excited; that he spoke to suit his hearers; but he is really most sublime when he wants to be sublime; that he is not profane, though he may say "D__n your souls to hell;" but that our reporter was assured is only "a contraction of condemn," rather the converse of a contraction, our reporter thought, and withal very nearly akin to profanity, though coming from the lips of a prophet.

POLYGAMY.