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Show THE TROUBLE IN UTAH. Under the above heading, the Omaha Herald of Tuesday last speaks of the Utah situation in these terms: The dispatches from Salt Lake City indicate in-dicate a seriously excited public mind there, on the part of both Mormons and Gentiles. The Herald, . though satisfied that matters concerning the present trouble have been greatly exaggerated, has been aware for some time that the situation in Utah is, and has been, very grave. Many of the leaders of the Mormon Mor-mon church have been so firm in their convictions that they were the victims of persecution, and that for religion's sake it would be righteous to rebel, that it has taken all the power of the more conservative, conserva-tive, cool-headed and far-seeing brethren to prevent revolt. Many incendiary utterances ut-terances have been heard ; many threats of the torch; many vows of armed resistance resist-ance in defense of homes and altars ; but there has been a large influence at work to prevent any.overt act of resistance to the Federal authorities in administering the Federal laws. Up to date this influence influ-ence has been successful, and what causes have combined to suddenly intensify in-tensify the angry feeling to the present pitch are not known, beyond n altercation alterca-tion between a United States deputy marshal mar-shal and a Mormon citizen, in which, the latter was badly, though not fatally, wounded. Gov. Murray's call for troops may have been a wise move or it may not. If there really is danger of an outbreak, (which the Herald doubts), then he was 1'ustified in taking precautionary measures, f it was merely a buncombe move to overawe the Mormon population it was unjustifiable. The Mormons are not savages or wild beasts ; they have not been rioting or indulging in outlawry. Massing troops for no other purpose than i that of intimidation, would be an exhibi- I tfon of despotism not entirely in keeping j with the American idea of freedom and free institutions. The Federal authori- i ties, the Herald opines, from the evidence ! thus far at hand, have been misled by i the fears and apprehensions of a certain class of Gentiles, so-called, who are ever I ready to excite distrust and enmitv i against the Mormons. There has been ; no conflict of force, no armed resistance j to the Federal authorities. Many of the I polygamists have of their own volition j accepted the ultimatum of the courts, i and ceased their polygamous relations; others are undergoing accepted punishment punish-ment for the violation of the law. Beyond Be-yond talk there has been nothing to justify jus-tify the show of military power now making. mak-ing. It is too bad, that it should have been made. Should there be real trouble, however, the presence of the troops will, be wise. Possibly the theory advanced in some quarters that the President's message to be read to-day will contain some radical suggestions is correct, and that such utterances will give added ground for apprehension may have moved the war department to the action taken. Whatever the causes or incidents, the Herald looks forward to a peaceful tiding over of the crisis. For the sake of the Mormons, the Gentiles, the nation and the interests of all concerned, it hopes for such speedy and satisfactory settlement |
