The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-06

does mSs~ his theoretical opinions the guide Of his
actions this government has neither the right the dis
position interfere In politics he may be disciple Of
anarchy despotsm, provided he does commit any
overt IN violation q The laws and Institutions OF his
country and ia religion he may believe in the efficacy Of
human sacrifices that the faith be processes is the only
road 10 salvation but he be permitted TO offer up
human sacrifices modest his nlow-creatarcs IN tho
highway life under preence Of their being
the wrong track In short he may adopt what faith he
pcases provided does lead him violation u the
laws, and Is in direct opposition to those great uni
vesal principles Of morality aud justice founded In reason
and sanctioned by Divine authority
lie at perfect liberty doubt whether the Ten Com
mandents we're delivered Moses HON tho mouth Of the
Most High, but he may no, discard the obligations
they impose that would be offence against ths
rights Of others principles Of morality and the laws
both OF Nature and society Toieaon properly speaking
is limited to the free Of opinion and cannot either
in civil or religious point OF view be extended to those
acts which either violate established dccorums Of civil
lied life the peace of society the laws Of the land how
ever the perpetror may plead the dictates of conscience
in Justification In performing the duties Of citizen Of
the United States there is no higher law than the const
tutiom and when distinguished member Of tho Senate
declared in his place that governed in tho exercise
questioned whether he did dsqaey himself for the dis
charge of his high duties since II his declaration true
he had forsworn himself and could discharge them
without a violation of his conscience.
The case of the Mormcns may further illustrate
idea of the rights OF conscience Without questioning
their right to believe in the divine of Joe Smith
Brigham Young have many wives and concubincs
as King solomon or the Grand Turk certainly do deny
inspirations of their Prophet in opposition the consu-
ona powers of the President Of the United States any
other branch of the government Nor do think their
privileges extend a violation of those laws and nsu-
ons which are basis manners habits and
rails Polygamy, however sanctioned by the example of
the Patriarchs is crinna offence every State Of the
Union and community in which every man may have
many wives as peascs assimate with those
who admit Of but one than il it sanctioned the commits
sion any other crime against the laws Of Ma
ture and society The maxims Of the Psrarchs safe
guides us the story Of Jacob and Esau very sal
utary example for inhalation Poygamy isno now
been practised by the devoted disciples OF
Moses since the dispersion OF the tribes and II it we il
should be remembered that Judaism IL not Christianity
The divine Christian Law-gvcr had for great object
of his mission complete revision Of the Levical code
Polygamy creates radical and irrecoaciabe
distinction between communities where Ii exists and
those in which il is considered crime. II strikes at
the root of all social organization ii pervades the rssde
enters into every relation human beings bear to each
other the Mormon with his dozen concubnes like the
Turk With his harem, preserve any thing like
cia harmony common interest with Christian COM
muny II is impossible to assimlate States where bigamy
is Of the deepest Of crimes with in which Is
ognised and practsed
If there other objection 10 the introduction Of
this incongruous element into system, the invariabie
and inevitable il produces would be sufficient
Wherever it has prevailed has caused the degradation Of
woman and the degradation Of the prccur-
sor Of that of man. Among the PatriArchs women
household slaves and might be turned of house
and home TO like Hagar in the wilderness Among
the followers of Mahomet-now the peculiar objects Of
Christian sympathyshe is while earth, slave to the
sensual appettes of men, and equally in the Mahome
dan paradise And wherever p0lygamy prevails and
ii will be forever and This rabbe of wives must DO
either served by slaves become slaves themselves When
the Prophet Brigham attend to his dairy,
he takes additional wife, and thus supplies himself with
the cheapest possible terms since these wives
ceive other wages but those Of niquity Thus
instead Of being the friend the companion and the equal
of man. sinks into the slave Of his sordd ayarice and
sensual appetites.
n contemplate the Mormons in political point Of
view will think become apparent to every
rejecting mind that il is equally impossible the Territory
Of Utah become under It's present organizatons
harmonious member Of this confederation So long rs
the fraternity hold OF their fundamental doctrines
that the whole earth their predencd inheritance what
expect from them but utter disregard to the
rights Of property And long they pay abject
Difference the inspired revelations Of their prophet and
obey them implicitly manifestations Of the viii Of the
Supreme Being expect them 10 conform 10 the
provisions Of the constitution unless they should chanceto
harmonic with the revelations OF the prophet That th
viii not be the case is egdent from the past history Of tho
Morinons. Wherever they have settled they the har
binges Of dissenson and boodshed They placed them
selves in opposition TO the laws by which tFose arosnd
them governed and refused submission the const
tuted authorities of the State They consequently
hunted from place another people always have
been and always win be- who arrogae 70 themselves The
right yone the decences Of society refuse obedience 70
the laws reject the restraints which govern the habits
manners and morals Of those among whom hey have in
trudcd and the time denounee all those who differ
with in their aogpa unworthy Of all association