Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-12-26
Judicial Charge against Po-
lygamy.

THE following is too good to be true
If the Mormous cannot have a peculiar
matrimonial institution, it strikes us that the
doctrine Of squltier sovereignty is in danger.
III Woich
At the July Term Of the First Judicial
District Court for Utah Territory, held at
Genoa In Carson County, Judge Drummond
charged the Grand Jury very iorcibly and
earnestly upon the following, among other
sections of the Criminal Code:
" Aud now, gentlemen of the Grand Jury,
It becomes my duty to call your special at
tention with strict care, to the following sec
ton, viz: 'lf ANY man or woman, not being
married to each other, lcwdly and lasclvious-
ly associate ard cohabit together; or, if any
man or woman, married or Unmarried, u
guilty Of open and gross lewdness, and de-
signedly make any open and indecent expos
urc ofhls or her personal---very. such person so
offending shall be punlshcdb by imprisonment,
not exceeding ten years and not less than
six months and a fine Of not more than one
thousand dollars, or both, at the discretion Of
the Court You will now remember that
You have each taken a solemn oath before
God and these witnesses, that you would
true presentment make OF all such matters
and things ms should be given you in charge,
or otherwise come TO your knowledge touch
ing the present service"
This section, therefore, ! give yoG in
charge. with an ardent desire that you will
cast off all priesily Jokes Of oppression, and
studiously and honestly do your duty, with
out fear, favor or affection wholly unbiased
As there Is no statute law in this Territory
regulating marriage, or touching the subject
directly or indirectly it only remains for me
to say that all these ceremonies by the peo-
ole OF this territory called sealing are any
ihinp other in the eyes Of the law than a le-
gal marriage ceremony. In the foregoing
section the Legislature has thought proper
to pass a stringent law Of oriu'iB-l eharac-
ter Tor the punishment Of open lewdness (;
this, indeed, was wise and humane on the
part Of those Legislators, and TO MS It seems
that the Legislature thereby intended 10 pro-
vide a remedy for the correction Of that cry
ing aud most loaths me, bafbarous, cruel,
block aud degrading evil which seems TO be
one of the cardinal doctrines of the church
prominent in power in this Territory, Polyg.
amy or at least, If they did not intend IT,,
they have virtually done, what should have
been done many years since. The law is
found IN the book, and you as well as ! are
sclemnly bound to give 1t force and utility
" IL is wholly useless and MONDAY mad
ness for the Legislature TO pnss laws, and for
the Federal Government to send judges and
attorneys here 10 execute those laws, # the
mandate OF one man clothed with a prlestly
power and wholly unlearned M the science
of the law, is to be permitted to thwart not
only the Legislature of the Territory, but
openly bid defiance and sporlye rebellion a.
gan-t the federal authority Of the United
States. and dictate to Grand Juries when to
find bills of indictments and when not
These things cannot be endured IN Repub
hcan Government. All these men, therefore.
who have a multiplicity Of women residing
with them, at the same house ornt the same
harem are suhlects for your investigation.
have already Instructed you, that there Is no
law 10 this Territory authorizing the issuing
Of marriage license, or authorizing any one
TO perform marriage ceremonies either 10 or
out of the Church; and much as you may
regret 10 do so, 1t rs nevertheless your duty
to respect the law OF the land, and prefer
bills Of indictment against all such as have
not been legally married IN some other coun
try, and particularly when two or more wo-
men are cohabiunl with the same man,
These instances are too often seen aud too
much encouraged by he Church here, to in
sure respect from the civilized world, either
at home or abroad and even barbarous minds
IN your own country revolt at the slckening
and truly heart-rendilg spectacle OF the mas
SEES Of this Territory. Duty follows You
gentlemen, in all the walks of life, at home
ana abroad, in the family circle at the bal
lot-box, at your daily Christian deyotions,
and prominently so here, where the interest
of the crushed and down-;rodden appeal, in
thunder tones, for relief at the hands of the
law"