Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-05-09
EB- When, in the National Conven

~ When, in the National Conven-
ton of the Republican party, at Phila-
delphia platform was adopted, embody-
ing, among other things, direct and un-
qualified hostility to the " domestic in
slitution" of Polygamy, the Buchaneer
Press made themselves inexpressibly mer-
ry over the matter, talked of the return
to Blue Laws, and in argument spoke of
Religious Freedom, Right of Opinion,
and the principles of Squatter Sover-
eighty, and made direct issue upon this,
as upon the other doctrines embodied in
the platform. The late report, however,
of Judge DRuMMoND, of Utah, of the
operations of the Saints, spiritually and
politically, has caused decided reac-
ton, and the whole rank and file of boz
gus organs are now repudiating their pet
doctrine of allowing the people of the
territory to regulate their domestic insti-
tutions in their own way, and are
pitching into BRIGHAM, the Saints, and
their domestic institution" in beauti-
full style. The Cincinnati Inquirer
thinks the great mistake has been in the
law creating Utah territory, and can
see no way by which to get rid of the
vexatious question except to repeal the
law, and annex Utah to some territory
which may be enabled to vote down and
prohibit the institution. The Express d.
Herald thinks this plan would do, pro-
viding it is not unconstitutional, but is
inclined to think that such is the case
The fact is, Squatter Sovereignty has got
them into fix. They cannot deny the
right of the people of the territory to
form their own institutions, and adopt
Polygamy as well as Slavery, and yet
the odiousness of the institutions is even
too great for their not over-fastidious
tastes, and the consequence is they are
inexpressibly troubled over the matter.
especially as Utah is already knocking at
the door Of the Union for admission.
Though we rejoice that the Democracy
who, controlling now our government,
will undoubtedly have to meet and settle
this question--thus give evidence that
they now admit the propriety of the po-
sition taken by the Republican party, we
are yet utterly unable to discern how
they can reconcile their professions in
regard to Polygamy, with their manifest
determination to uphold the institution of
slavery, in which the relations of the
sexes are more degrading than even among
the Mormons. Not the slightest regard
is paid by the master to the marriage re-
lation of his slaves, and the transfer of a
wife from one plantation and one husband
to another plantation and another hus-
band Is made without conjunction or
without remark. At the last meeting of
the Charleston S. c.. Baptist Associa-
ton, committee of five clergymen made
labored report upon the marriage of
slaves. They conclude that as the con-
dition of the slave is peculiar, they can
not be held strictly to the Christian rule
In respect to marriage, but may take new
partners at each removal. How much
better then, we ask, is the condition of
a portion of the people here in the States,
'n this respect, than that of the Mormons,
and if the latter excites the indignation
of the Democracy, why should they ac-
quiesce ia, and seek to extend, the for
mer? But they say, owing to the Pc
culiar condition of the slave, this release
from the marriage obligation-this sever
ing of " what God has joined together"
lis matter of convenience and expedi-
eney. But the peculiar condition and
convenience OF the Mormon equally for
bid that be should be held accountable
for this tenet of his faith, and the same
peculiar condition and convenience should
extend to the sailor the right to wife in
every port. Slavery is more loathsome
in all its details than the Mormon faith,
and yet, while Democrat cheerfully en-
braces the one, she is thrown into moral
over the other. This, how
ever, is the usual consistency of her
course, and we much mistake her if she
does not yet, for expediency sake, forget
that she was ever foe to Polygamy, as
she does now that she ever was to Slay-
cry.
E~ Our county readers will please
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