The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-05-05
UTAH.

1 2 UTAH
The existence of polyga communism
and all their attendant vices and immuni-
ties in an extensive territory of the United
States, is alike repugnant to the genius of
our government and odioas to decency. re-
ligion and humanity throughout the civiliz-
ed world. Mormonism is the synanyme for
a combination of all the ills of a licentious
society, unrestrained even by the ordinary
instincts which elevate man in his normal
state, above the brute. In morals. in pali-
tics, in religion. in everything that contrib
utes to the dignity or bespeaks the superb
ority of the human race, it is an outrage
upon man and an insult to God. And yet
in the most enlightened age, and upon a
wide domain of the nation which claims for
its institutions, the highest excellence that
has yet been attained on earth. and for its
citizens the fullest liberty, and most loyal
regard for reason, right and law, there are
hundred thousand votaries of this infa-
nous faith. Outside of Utah, in the ada
! cent territories, it is estimated that the
Mormons number an additional tive hundred
thousand. 1t is state of things horrible
to contemplate; presenting picture Of
human nature, so hideous, that the spirits
of the damned might chuckle over it, as
unfolding depth of degradation, which
even they have never fathomed. That this
disgusting deformity upon the body Politio
should be removed either by the emolient
influence of moral suasion, or by the strong
arm Of the Government, seems TO be the
prevailing opinion of the pa ess and the peo-
pie in all parts of the country. Whether
the Federal Government has the right. un
der the Constitution. to coerce the Nor
mons into remuneration of their municipal
laws relating to property, polygamy' and
religious rites and belief, there is a strong
doubt, amounting almost to an absolute de-
nial, on the minds of meny who would wish
it otherwise. And as an undertaking ad-
herence to the Constitution is indispensable
to the security of the country, there might
appear to be an embarrassment to any
movement On the part of the Government
against the inhabitants of Utah. But civil
and religious liberty are far different things
from absolute license. And while we may
have no right to march upon Mormonism
with fire and sword, as long as Brigham
Young and his disciples enact no laws in
conflict with the Constitution of the United
States, and are guilty of no overt act Of
treason. it is the duty, as it is the preroga-
tive of the Government, to put down rebel
lion, and, if possible, to remove the cause
that gave rise to it. Overt acts of treason
have been committed in Utah and upon
into that Territory, and the country laid
in waste, if necessary, for the proper pun
ishment of the traitors, and to provide
against q repetition of such lawlessne,%.--
If indemnity for the past, and security for
the future" demand it, let the Mormons be
hung by hundreds. They have already
been tolerated too long. The idea of con-
verting them, into the adoption of Christian
customs, cannot now be seriously entertain
ed-and if allowed longer to wallow in their
cesspool of pollution, the Turk, with his
harem, may point to the United States in
derision, for preaching Christianity and
prating about chastity. while fostering
new nation even exaggerating and abusing
the example of his libidinous life. But
we have no doubt the Administration, while
exercising clemency and discretion, will
dispose of this disagreeable difficulty so
effectually as to satisfy the world. that in
the estimation of the American people, So
cialism is not sanctioned by justice, that
Joe. Smith is not God, and that no man 10