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Show 146 BRIGHAM YOUNG. Whether in the pulpit, in public addresses, in official documents, or in private intercourse, the same spirit of lofty patriotism seemed to pervade their whole community. At the same time, it should not be concealed that a stern determination exists among them to submit to no repetition of the outrages to which they were subjected in Illinois and Missouri; but, on the contrary, to resist by force and to the last extremity, from whatever quarter, any such interference with what they consider their civil and religious rights, guarantied to them, as to other citisens, by the constitution of the United States. Vain- glorious vaunts may indeed have been sometimes made by individuals whose knowledge and judgment were not equal to their religious zeal, as to the ability of the community to maintain itself in the fastnesses of the mountains, even against the military forces of the Government; but we know that there are in every society men whose valour is ever great in proportion to the remoteness of the danger. I have no idea thfet any such collision was ever seriously anticipated. Upon the action of the Executive in the appointment of the officers within the newly- created Territory, it does not become me to offer other than a very diffident opinion. Tet the opportunities of information to which allusion has already been made, may perhaps justify me in presenting the result of my own observations upon this subject. With all due deference, then, I feel constrained to say, that in my opinion the appointment of the president of the Mormon church, and head of the Mormon community, in preference to any other person, to the high office of Governor of the Territory, independent of its political bearings, with which I have nothing to do, was a measure dictated alike by justice and by sound policy. Intimately connected with them from their exodus from Illinois, this man has been indeed their Moses, leading them through the wilderness to a remote and unknown land, where they have since set up their tabernacle, and where they are now building their temple. Resolute in danger, firm and sagacious in council, prompt and energetic in emergency, and enthusiastically devoted to the honour and interest? of his people, he had won their unlimited desert our country's cause; never will we be found arrayed by the side of her enemies, although she herself may cherish them in her own bosom. Although she may launch forth the thunderbolts of war, whioh may return and spend their fury upon her own head, never, no never, will we permit the weakness of human nature to triumph over our love of country, our devotion to her Institutions, handed down to us by our honoured sires, made dear by a thousand tender recollections." Such, surely, is neither the language nor the spirit of a disloyal people. |