Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-04-28
UTAH.

The existence of poygsmy, communism and Ill
their attendant vices and euorines in an e1tensivr
territory of the United States is alike repugnant
TIE genius OF our government and odiOus 10 decency,
religion and humanity throughout tie siized world.
Mormonism is the synonyms for combination Of all
the ilIs of icenous society, unrestrained even by
the ordineTy nstincts which elevate man in his nor
NAL sate, above the brute In morals in politics, in
religion, in everything that contributes to the dgni.
ty or bespeaks the superiority of the human race, ii
is an outrage upon mau and an insult to God. And
yet in thu most enlightened age, and upon a wide do
main Of the nation which claims for its institutions,
| the highest excellence that has yet been attained
on earth, and for IFS citizens the fullest liberty, and
nost loyal regard for reason, right and law there
ahundred thousand vo.aries Of this infamous faith.
Outside of Utah. in the acen territories il is es.
mated that the MormoEs number an additional two
hundred thousand. 1t is state of things horrible to
contemplate presenting picture Of human nuture,
so hdeous, that the spirits of the damned might
chuckle over it, as unfolding depth of degradation
which even they have never tathomed. That
this disgusting deformity upon the body polite
should be removed either by the sInoent influence
OF moral sussion, or by the strong arm OF the Go.
vernment, seems to be the prevailing opinion of the
press and the people n all parts of The country
Whether The Federal Government he's the right, un-
der the Constitution, TO coerce the Mornons into d
Remuneration of their municipal laws relating to pro.
perty polygamy, and religious rites aud belief there
ID strong doubt, amounting almost to an absolute
denialon the minds of many who would wish it other
wise. And as an undertaking adherence to The Con.
lStt il ip1i Va . tbas
try, 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 far different things from absolute license
And while we may have no right to march upon
Mormonism with fire and sword rs long az Brigham
Young and his disciples enact 10 laws in conflict with
the Constitution Of the United Sla;es and are guilty
OF no overt act Of treason, il the duty as it il the
prerogatve Of the Government, to put down rebel.
lion and il possible, TO remove the cause that gave
rise to 1t. Overt acts Of have been committed
| in Utah; and upon that ground al army may be
marched into that Territory, and the country laid
waste, If necessary, for the proper punishment OF
the traitors to provide against repetition OF such
awessness. 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 converting them, into the adoption
OF Christian customs, cannot be seriously enter
taned-and if allowed longer to wallow in their
pool Of pollution, the Turk, with his harem, may
point to the United States 10 dersion for preaching
Christianity and prang about chastity, while foster.
| ing new nation even eIagserang and abusing the
example of his llbidinous life But we have doubt
the Administration, while exercising clemency and
discretion, will dispose Of this disagreeable difficulty
efectuay as to satisfy the world, that in the esi
nation Of the American people, socialism is not sane
toned by justice, that Joe Smith is no, God and that
no is entitled TO more than one wife at the time