LOYALTY OF RULERS AND PEOPLE. 145 



battalion for service during tlie Mexican war. While in the heart 

 of an Indian country, and on the eve of a long and uncertain pil- 

 grimage into an unknown wilderness, they were suddenly called 

 upon to surrender five hundred of their best men to the hazards 

 of a hostile campaign, and to the exposure and vicissitudes of a 

 march of two thousand miles across trackless deserts and burning 

 plains, to fight the battles of their country. Their peculiar cir- 

 cumstances presented almost insuperable objections to a compli- 

 ance with the requisition, yet not the slightest hesitation was 

 evinced. <' You shall have your battalion at once," was the reply 

 of President Young, "if it has to be a class of our elders;" and 

 in three days the force, recruited principally among fathers of 

 families, was raised and ready to march. Here certainly was no 

 evidence of a lack of patriotism.* 



* The following extract from a sermon of Brigham Young to his people will, I 

 think, confirm the correctness of my views as to the sentiments of the Mormon 

 leaders, at that time, on this subject: — 



"I want to say to every man, the constitution of the United States, as formed 

 by our fathers, was dictated, was revealed, was put into their hearts by the Al- 

 mighty, who sits enthroned in the midst of the heavens; although unknown to 

 them, it was dictated by the revelations of Jesus Christ, and I tell you, in the name 

 of Jesus Christ, it is as good as I could ever ask for." *' I say unto you, magnify 

 the laws. There is no law in the United States, or in the constitution, but I am 

 ready to make honourable." 



Many more expressions of a like character might be quoted, but the above 

 are sufficient to show what were the opinions of the rulers. 



The following language, used by General D. H. Wells, at the celebration of the 

 fourth anniversary of the advent of the Mormons into the Valley, will show, I 

 think, what was the feeling of the people : — 



"It has been thought by some, that this people, abused, maltreated, insulted, 

 robbed, plundered, murdered, and finally disfranchised and expatriated, would 

 naturally feel reluctant to again unite their destiny with the American republic." 

 * * * " No wonder that it was thought by some that we would not again submit 

 ourselves (even while we were yet scorned and ridiculed) to return to our allegi- 

 ance to our native country. Remember, that it was by the act of our country, 

 not ours, that we were expatriated ; and then consider the opportunity we had 

 of forming other ties. Let this pass, while we lift the veil and show the policy 

 which dictated us. That country, that constitution, those institutions, were all 

 ours ; they are still ours. Our fathers were heroes of the Revolution. Under the 

 master spirits of an Adams, a Jefi^erson, and a Washington, they declared and 

 maintained their independence ; and, under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, 

 they fulfilled their mission whereunto they were sent from the presence of the 

 Father. Because demagogues have arisen and seized the reins of power, should 

 we relinquish our interest in that country made dear to us by every tie of asso- 

 ciation and consanguinity ?" * * * " Those who have indulged such sentiments 

 concerning us, have not read Mormonism aright; for never, no never, will we 



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