Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-07-02


worst abused, but at the same time by far the
most successful and the most glorious of all
political organizations. In the days of that
unaccountably slandered, but at the same
time most moral patriot that ever lived, |
mean ANDREW JACKSON, it was truly an hon
or to belong to the party. But events have
for a few years past been SO shaped by politi-
cal tricksters and impure doughfaces that |
am released from further allegiance, and in
asmuch as have been an attentive reader of
your paper from the first, | trust you will suf-
fer me to be heard through your columns.
Mr.. Editor, do abhor poligamy. 1t is
sin, deep and damning sin, and every man
who has the least principle of moral decency
in his composition, will exactly agree with me
in this view, and will be ready to admit that
my plan is "a complete plan, and the only
plan that should ever be mentioned by a res
pectable person for doing away with that
abominable enormity.
Poligamy, Mr.. Editor, under the fostering
care of the Democratic party (of course), is
frightfully increasing. One whole Territory
of the United States has been seized upon
by Polygamists and is even now knocking for
admission as a sovereign State. One whole
county, within the limits of our own PENN
sular State, is occupied by band of these mis-
blescapegraces whose leader has been twice
tolerated as n member of our State Legisa-
ture and, in short, instances of the crime are
multiplying all over the country.
And now, Mr.. Editor, with these facts
laundering about their ears, what did the
polygamy -propagating Democratic Conven-
ton at Cincinnati do? Nothing! Abso-
lutely nothing! Their very silence convinces
me that they were sold out, body and soul,
to the detestable followers of Brigham Young
and King Strang, and their damnablc coad-
tutors who are scattered all over the Union
But there is yet hope. The Republicans,
see, have laid the axe to the root of the tree
Their platform says:
"Resolved That the constitution confers
"upon Congress sovereign power over the
Territories of the United States for theil
4" government, and that in the exercise of this
"power it is both the right and the duty o.
Congress to prohibit in the Territories those
J "twn relics of barbarism-POLIGAMY
"and slavery"
1t really eates me, Mr.. Editor, to see SC
much genuine virtue and power resolved int
the Constitution of the United States, anC
that, too, by the right sort Of men, and oil
the eve of such an important election. w,
have only to select as candidates for oflic
those who will, without waiting to reflect, sol
emily swear 4" to support" the resolution " ac
cording to the best of their ability" and al
!, will be well.
n The degraded, polygamy-bought Demo
!, Gratis Of your village, Mr.. Editor, most Q
, whom have hitherto ranked among my bes
friendsand most respected acquaintance, will
| know, turn up their detestable noses at tn
! resolution, and attempt to screen themselve
. by falling back on the Constitution of tn
United States, which instrument seems t
e confer the power of legislation on Congress
: in respect to crimes, only in the following ca
. ses:
"To provide for the punishment of coun
t" terfeiting the securities and current coin c
I" the United States" and "To define an
e "punish piracies and felonies committed o
d "the high seas and offences against the law
i I" of nations;" leaving it for the respectiv
n States to legislate as may suit themselves as
other matters of criminal nature. The
r will evade that clause of the Constitutio
r which says "Congress shall have power
st "dispose of and make all needful rules an
regulations respecting the Territory or otl
. "erproperty of the United States" by sayin
n it was only meant thereby to enable Coz
If gress to dispose of the public lands either b
r sale, donation or otherwise, as might be deem
~ ed expedient, and that this clause in til
Is Constitution is, in fact, the only authority 0
~ which to base the present method of dispo
! ing of the United States lands, either in I'll
States or Territories. They will sneak ava