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Show UTAH HISTORICAL QUARTERLY that Greeley at the New York Tribune continued his “deadly hostility” by publishing the anonymous letters from Utah. The church could not have “a more virulent, bitter, and unscrupulous enemy” than Greeley, Taylor thought.82 But editor James Gordon Bennett of the New York Herald was only a step or two behind, if that.83 The Mormons began to think that there might be some kind of a plot against them—as almost certainly there was. Some of the letters and articles appeared to be a part of an organized attempt to overthrow the Mormon regime and seemed to come from a small group of long-standing opponents in Utah. These conspirators included territorial officers, men seeking or holding Federal contracts, and Gentile merchants in Salt Lake City. Young had already sent a list of more than two dozen names of possible church enemies to see if Taylor could find anything out about their work. An unnamed source had given this information to Young, and Young admitted that he was uncertain about its accuracy.84 But according to Young’s source, these opponents were preparing anti-statehood affidavits and making lists of plural wives of Mormon leaders. The idea was to embarrass the Mormons at every turn.85 In early 1857 at least three national journals carried statistical surveys of the plural wives of Mormon leaders, just as predicted.86 Taylor responded to Young’s rumors with some of his own. During recent weeks, he had heard of “certain indications and expressions” of dark plots, Taylor wrote back to Salt Lake City. Enemies in Utah might be working to bring “a new dynasty” to the church and possibly even working to destroy or kill the Mormon leaders, he told Young, although he could learn nothing for certain.87 Taylor’s findings agreed with some of the passages of Magraw’s letter to Pierce, which had spoken of a possible coup. The apostle’s startling report was written in a matter-of-fact letter to Young. Its even tenor showed how much the Mormons had come to expect violation and hardship. After receiving Taylor’s letter—and perhaps before—Young withdrew from public view for several months. While perhaps Young’s absence was due to poor health, it is also possible he took the threats against his life seriously. The election of 1856 and the conduct of the territorial officers left Young despairing, and in January 1857 the Utah legislature drafted strongly worded memorials asserting its “right to have a voice in the selection of our rulers.”88 The “right” apparently included taking action against the 82 John Taylor to Brigham Young, December 20, 1856,Young Correspondence. The Mormon replied to these and other articles, November 15 and 29, December 6, 13, and 20, 1856, and January 3, 10, 17, and 24, 1857. 84 Brigham Young to George A. Smith, July 30, 1856,Young Correspondence. 85 Brigham Young to John M. Bernhisel, July 17, 1856,Young Correspondence. 86 Poll, “The Mormon Question, 1850-1865,” 66ff. 87 John Taylor to Brigham Young, December 20, 1856,Young Correspondence. 88 Memorial, Executive Files, Governor’s Office Files,Young Office Files, Church History Library. 83 130 |
