Letter trom Utah.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, U. T.,
Monday, November 15, 1858.
Jubilee at Camp Floyd—The Stars and Stripes Afloat!
We have had quite a "Fourth of July" during the past week in Camp Floyd, in honor of the display of the National Ensign, for the first time since the arrival of the army in this territory. I might al-most say that it was the first time that our own true flag was ever displayed in these valleys, for I am told by old residents here that they have never seen among the many varieties of flags used by the Mormons on holi-day occasions one comforming strictly to the regulations which describe the national flag. They have them with white and blue stripes, with white and red stripes, with an eagle or grizzly bear on the field and the stars scattered along in the stripes—in fact, every distortion of our beautiful standard possible, but not a single correct one.
Last Tuesday, the 9th inst., was the day set apart for the occasion, and a finer day could not possibly have favored the multitude who engaged in the ceremonies. At eleven o'clock, the drums and bugles of the different regiments could be heard in the several divisions of the camp, and the soldiers in the fitting uniform of the Army were falling into rank. At half-past eleven, they came marching up to the tall flag-staff, which rises up in fine slender proportions to the height of 100 feet from the ground. By twelve o'clock, the whole Army, num-bering some 4,000 men, stood in a hollow square about the staff. Capt Phelps' Light Battery of the 4th Artil-lery, formed a line a short distance from the flag-staff on southwest, in front of which were Gen. Johnston and his staff, mounted upon fine horses and dressed in their beautiful new uniform, prescribed by a recent Army regulation. Next to the battery, and forming the west side of the square, was drawn up the "bloody fifth" a title which this gallant regiment earned by its stern un-flinching valor during the Mexican war, in which it was almost entirely cut to pieces. This regiment, now under the command of Major Eastman, has lately again distinguished itself in the Florida war, under the command of Col. Loomis, who is at present absent on leave. Drawn up on the north side of the square, were the 10th Infantry, under Lieut. Col. Smith, and the 7th, under Col. Lynde, and closing it on the east, were the 2nd Dragoons, commanded by Col. Howe, and the 3rd Artillery under Major Reynolds.
At twelve o'clock precisely, Col. Morrison, of the 7th Infantry, who commands the post, gave the signal, and under a national salute from Phelps' Battery, and with the regimental bands playing Hail Columbia, the magnificent flag, 40 feet in length, was run up to the top of the pole and thrown to the breeze by the officers of the guard on duty that day—Lieuts. Dudley and Murray, of the 10th. As the last gun of the salute of 32 guns was fired, the bands struck up Yankee Doodle, and the whole command, led by their gallant General, saluted the flag with three hearty cheers which fairly shook the ground. All seemed to reach the sentiment expressed by Col. Morrison, as he exclaimed, under the enthusiasm of the moment, "Who wouldn't be in America?"
Opening of the New Theatre in Camp. The festivities of the day were ended by the opening of a new theatre in the camp, under the auspices of the "Military Dramatic Association of the Army of Utah." This association is formed entirely of the soldiers of the army. They are, however, at present assisted in their performances by some female "stars," which they have engaged for the winter from among the Saints. Not only the performances, but the taste displayed in the building itself, reflects much credit upon the man-agers—indeed, it rivals in its points of excellence many such buildings in the States—notwithstanding that in the decoration of the building, the painters were forced to use mustard as a substitute for yellow paint, and that the bust of Shakespere over the stage is painted with blacking and chalk.
Camp Floyd the Centre of Amusements, &c.
In walking through the camp, I could not but notice how comfortably the troops are fixed for the winter, and how neat and precise everything about the post appeared. This is due to the exertions of General Johnston, seconded by the officers of the regiments under his command; and in this he has done but justice to the brave men who suffered so severely in the snows of last winter. This is now by far the largest military post in the United States. The camp will be, during the coming winter, the great centre of amusements of all kinds in the Territory. In this city, the only thing we have in the shape of amusement, or the means of recreation, is a billiard saloon, opened during the past week. Bar-rooms, however, are plentiful, and many of our citizens find amusement in the wine-cup.
Business in Salt Lake City—Scarcity of Silver-Reported Discovery of a Silver Mine.
Business is very brisk in the city, and our merchants are making their fortunes rapidly. A serious drawback upon their operations, however, has been the great scarcity of silver and small change, and some of them have resorted to the plan of issuing printed cards rep-resenting different values for which they are responsi-ble.
Speaking of silver, reminds me that a rumor is cur-rent here of the discovery of a silver mine in an adja-cent valley, and it is reported that a large specimen has been brought to this city to be assayed.
Secret Conference of the Saints—What's Up?
A Conference of the Church has been in session in the Tabernacle in this city during the past two days. Yesterday all good Mormons were admitted, and judg-ing from the crowd which I saw returning from the meeting, there must have been a pretty general attend-ance on the part of the Saints in the city. Understand-ing that it was a public meeting, several of the Gentiles attempted to gain admittance, but were stopped by a guard of six city policemen with stars and clubs com-plete, who informed them that it was a Church meeting. Upon inquiry, I found that none was admitted without the grips and pass-words of the endowment ceremonies. It looks very suspicious to see traitors, pardoned rebels, who but recently were in arms against their own gov-ernment, now holding secret meetings from which all persons who are known or suspected to be loyal to the Government are excluded. What is the object of these secret meetings? It is rumored that one of the sub-jects to be discussed in the meeting was, the course which should be adopted in regard to the U. S. Courts which are about to assemble in this Territory.
Our Correspondent Offending the Saints.
The following extract from an editorial two columns in length which we find in the last number of the Des-eret News of 10th November, indicates how deep a blow the correspondent of the Bulletin has struck at the Mormon leaders and their abettors, in some of his late communications. I hope to continue to deserve the wrath of such a set, for praise from them would cer-tainly make me feel guilty of having, as a correspond-ent, committed some wrong either against my own country or countrymen. Let it not be supposed from this that I look upon the whole Mormon community as false, villainous wretches and traitors; on the contrary, I have found many good and worthy people among them, men who honestly believe Mormonism to be true, and men who, honest at heart, have become dupes through ignorance. It is the Mormon leaders whom I look upon as villains of the deepest die—men who wit-tingly deceive the ignorant and oppress the poor de-luded victims. The News says:
"Who that has any influence and the least respect for justice and human rights, will refuse, whenever it is in their power, to expose libellers as the Bulletin's Special Salt Lake Correspondent has been exposed? We shall carefully watch for an answer, and also diligently strive to learn how many Government appointees and other persons take the trouble to acquaint themselves with facts and fur-nish only correct information about Utah to the President, his Cabinet, members of Congress, and the public at large, as has Governor Cumming. And for the assist-ance lately rendered to our Governor in so noble a cause, we respectfully tender our thanks to Messrs. Henry Ca-bot and Kirk Anderson, Associate Justice Charles E. Sinclair, Secretary John Hartnett, U. S. Marshal Peter K. Dotson, J. Forney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and John G. Lynch, Esq., Clerk Supreme Court of the United States."
You will perceive in the sentence which I have ital-icised, the threat uttered against all who dare to speak disparagingly of the Mormons.
The following card from Dr. Forney, Superintindent of Indian Affairs, which appears in the same paper, does not do him much credit. He does not wish "to cast any reflection, even by implication" upon the men who marry a mother and daughter—who marry five of their own neices—who, without provocation other than an opposition to their will, castrate citizens living in their midst—who have borne arms and incited by all means in their power others to bear arms against their country—who rob the mails and burn libraries—who massacre, or incite the Indians to massacre, emigrants on their way to California—in fact, who have committed all the crimes which man can commit. No, not he! His com-munication is as follows:
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, G. S. L. City,
November 9th, 1858.
Early in September last, I, with others, signed a letter ad-dressed to Judge Eckels, tendering him a dinner, previous to his departure for the East. I presumed the letter was merely an in vitation to a dinner, without either applauding or commending his policy. The gentlemen who requested me to sign the letter, assured me it was merely an invitation to a dinner, consequently I signed the letter without reading it. The following is contained in said letter:
"That regret, however, is lessened by their belief that your presence at Washington will do much to remove misapprehen-sions which seem to prevail there, and to cause measures to be taken for the better security of the persons and property of loyal citizens of the United States, who are residents in this commu-nity."
I had no design to east reflection, even by any implication on this, or any other community, especially not in such an oblique manner. Much less was it my design to call in question the official policy of any Federal Officer in this Territory.
J. FORNET.
Mormon Help to President Buchanan.
There is some difference in the tone of the following communication, which appeared in the last Deseret News, and that of several articles which appeared a few months since. I am not quite sure, however, but that President Buchanan deserves to be placed upon the same platform with Brother Brigham. I cannot forget his pardon of these traitors. The writea says:
I have recently been looking over some of the most rabid anti-Administration articles in your Eastern ex-changes, and I do think that President Buchanan is the most persecuted, slandered and abused man in the nation. I did once think that Brigham Young and the Mormons suffered most in this way; but I give it up. I think that Brigham Young and the President ought to be good friends, as I trust they are, and sympathise with each other over the sublimely ridiculous abuses that are poured upon their heads without mixture of mercy or compassion. I hope, sir, that President Buchanan's enemies will not carry the joke so far as to organize an army and send against him. Do poli-ticians mean to disgrace and damn the nation by thus abusing the Chief Magistrate?
Miscellaneous Items.
Great interest seems to be manifested in the approach-ing session of the U. S. District Court. Alexander Wil-son, Esq., the U. S. Prosecuting Attorney, having ar-rived, there will be no further delay in its operations.
Brown City is progressing finely under "Gentile" auspices. Several contracts have been made for the erection of stores, houses, etc., at that point.
