EXCITEMENT AT SALT LAKE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 810, 25 August 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

EXCITEMENT AT SALT LAKE.

THE MORMONS PREPARING FOR HOSTILITIES. New Yqvk, May 10.— The ' New York Herald's Salt Lake correspondeat writes : — There is no longer any doubt that a dangerous undercurrent of excitement is running through all the Mormon cities, and settlements m Utah, nor is their any doubt of the cause. The leaders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, from Brigham Young down to the bishopjs and their councillors, have become impressed with the belief that punishment is, for the first time, seriously threatened, not only against the instigators and perpetrators of the Mountain Medow massacre, but also against the authors of hundreds of murders besides, which surpass m atrocity these committed by the assassins of ancient Venice or the Thu^s of India. \ This belief has been transmitted to the body of the Mormon people, whose oaths compel them to avenge the death of the martyrs, and to obey s the counsel of their living priests. Brigham Young himself has -become confident, by reason of long immunity and the exercise for nearly half a century of power compared with which the despotism of au Abyssinian chief is timid

the adultus among the hundred thousand Mormons m the Territory :an whip all the men the United States can bring against them. In this connection he is eucouraged b/ the present rumor that the United States army is to be practically re* iluced to the condition depicted m Nast's caricature. The members of the famous Nauvoo Legion, which successfully defied Johnson's army m 1859, are drilling m meeting houses, barns, stables and carrals, m Salt Lake City, aud most of the minor towns. Breech-loading riftos have been shipped m great numbers during the last fortnight from the East to this place, and several boxes of arms have gone to Southern Utah from the co-operative store, which is largely owned and entirely controlled by Brigham Young. Iv the tabernacle, the day before yesterday, the Prophet arose at an unexpected moment, and broke forth m an address to saints and sinners, which gave the latter to understand that if they wanted bipod they could have plenty of it, and, indeed, that they were likely to have more of it let out of their veins than they could spare, at an early period. To face the IpOjOOQ Mormons there are 1 5,000 Gentiles iv Utah. Salt Lake City has a population of 20,000, of whom, perhaps, 4000 are Uentileg. ; The discrepancy is obvious) and having duly observed it, many discreet Gentiles are quietly arranging for the removal of their families at the Grst sign of an outbreak. It is more than likely, jfchat the saints who are plotting jfe&ifiteiice^to the operation of the laws will get the worst of it. The Grand Jury at Salt Lake City will meet on the 21st inst. Subpoenas are issued for a formidab c number of witnesses m criminal cases, and arrests of murderers who have had immunity for years are imminent m the mountains and along the borders where they have secluded themselves. The sword of justice hangs over the roof of many a suspected assassin, eminent m the consels of the Mormon priesthood, and it is not unlikely that the doctrine of blood atonement will be brought before the close of the summer, home to their own hearts and throats.