1855-02-14-New York Tribune-Exposure of Mormonism
Exposure of Mormonism
New York Tribune, 14 February 1855, p. 6
By the following letter it will be seen that we are soon to have the startling disclosures of Mormonism referred to in a letter lately published in The Times. The lecturer (one of Brigham Young's wives) has left Chicago, and, it will be seen from the date of her letter, is at present located in Pittsfield, in this State. She is expected to arrive here as soon as the necessary arrangements for the delivery of her lectures are made.
- PITTSFIELD, Thursday, Feb. 8, 1855.
Once more I embrace the opportunity of writing to you to inform you that I shall be in your city to give lectures on Mormonism next week or the week following. I will acknowledge I have some fears to lecture on this point, for I have been informed, upon good authority, that Mr. Young has sent on two men to stop my career. They say I shall not give a lecture; but I shall try—and I hope the people of Boston will protect me—a woman; for I have done nothing that I regret, except joining the Society of Mormons and marrying the leader. They cannot find or bring anything against my moral character. I am ready to meet them, or any other Mormons at the hall. They say I was legally married to Brigham Young. I was, in their way; but will this Government tolerate that? Will it give me up, and let these Mormon emissaries carry me back to Salt Lake? I f I have done anything criminal, I will go without resistance. But they do not pretend to say that. All they say is, he (Mr. Young) is my lawful husband; but they forget he had twenty-odd wives when we were married. I was at the time innocent and sincere. Since I have seen enough, and know the Society to be corrupt, and governed by bad men for bad motives, I shall tell everything just as it is. I shall not stop for the feelings of those who may be present—no, not for Mr. Young himself—but shall tell the whole truth,a nd unfold all the mysteries connected with the institution.
I am well aware what they consequences would be, providing they had me in their power at Salt Lake. Death would pay for that which I am about to reveal.
There are two very important secrets in Mormonism, of which none but the head leaders are aware, and they are brought to it by the most solemn oath. A part of this information I obtained from papers that I found.
One morning after Young left my bed, I discovered under the pillow a paper, of which I have a copy. It is a secret plot, contrived to overthrow this Government. In that package I also found a plan of a fort; at the top of the plan it said, "Three tiers, two hundred and six guns each." I also heard one of the leaders say, "Uncle Sam would not disturb them before they got the underground works done and they should not then fear the whole United States army, with their Scotts and Wools." This I heard by eaves-dropping, besides a great deal more, of which I have not time to write. The Indians have had the promise that all of the land that has been taken from them shall be returned. Mr. Young pretends to be their friend, and they all, to a man, will fight for him and the Mormons. Not only one tribe, but all the Chiefs in the Far West, are favorable to the cause, and to that people. They will all follow their Chiefs, and with their help, after they have the ground fixed for battle, the emigrants to and from California will find no mercy. You will also hear them boast of their strength, and bid defiance to any power. They say they will also appoint their Governor of Utah, and they mean to enlarge their territory, and extend it to the Pacific, and as far north and south as they like. I can tell more than I have time to write.
- SARAH YOUNG,
- ELIZA WILLIAMS.
