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Solution of the Mormon Question
Vermont Patriot & State Gazette
5 March 1858
It is understood that Bernhisel, the Utah delegate at Washington, is anxious for a peaceful solution of the Mormon question; and letter-writers have stated that he has approached the President with some propositions on the subject which the latter did not favorably receive. The propositions are said to be that the government shall pay the Mormons for all their improvements in Utah, and that the Mormons shall depart beyond the limits of the United States.
Whatever might be the President's opinion of these propositions under other circumstance, he doubtless would not for a moment entertain them, nor any other, while the Mormons remain in rebellion. Their first overture must be of unconditional submission. They must lay down their arms and submit to the government and laws of the United States. When they shall have done this, their petitions to the President and Congress will most unquestioningly have the best attention.
It is no part of the President's policy to drive the Mormons out of Utah. It is no part of his policy to interfere with their domestic institutions; he has of course no power to do this. He nor Congress cannot suppress polygamy. It is simply his policy to re-establish the Federal power in the Territory. This done—the legitimate authority of the general government maintained—the Mormon question must work out its own solution.
It is our opinion, however, that the re-establishment of legitimate authority in Utah will virtually finish Mormonism there. Certainly it will finish Brigham Young; for, we take it, his offence cannot go unpunished if possession be obtained by of him; and the head of the sect decapitated, little vitality will remain in the body; or if he shall not be taken—if he shall flee beyond our territorial limits—the more infatuated of his people will go with him, and those which remain will soon be scattered in all directions. Thus will Mormonism within our borders be finished.
The true course, therefore, is that adopted by the President.
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