Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-01-31


did have moro than one, and that it
was = domestic institution" We are
not defending polygamy, for We be-
lieve that it Is opposed to virtue, pu-
rity, domestic policy and the general
prosperity ofa people, but to cay that
il il q crime, We ought TO have Divine
law IS our authority ,for that is the moral
code Of all nations, adopting the chris
tian religion {, is mol crime, but it
ia against public policy, and ought to
be condemned bv the voice Of public
opinion, and State law. in every State
Of the world. This We conce,ie. II is
not calculated 10 improve the morals,
wealth, prosperity. or happiness Of
any people. As moral question. We
will 90 As far a. the most Jealous in
condemning and despising it aud its
defenders. But when We discuss a
Constitutional power, we lay aside sll
questions Of policy o. crpelency, and
come directly 10 the naked power
itself. 10 ascertain Whist II IS. not what
We would have il L. b.. Ia go doing
We ranno, discover IN the enumerated
Federal Powers, any single power
giving Congress the ,ighi t. NEEDLE
with the "domestl, institution. ii
States al Territories. EachI S,ate
must have Republican form Of eoy.
eminent, and if Utah thould present a
form Of government ia which power
was given to the State Legislature TO
sanction polygamy, then Congress
would have the right 10 determine
whether such Constitution. expressly
protecting polygamy, W." IN fact Re
publican. Congress could then act
upon the instrument Itself, and deter.
mine whether or not it be Republican.
But If Utah shall present a constitution
word for word like the constitution Of
Iowa, how can Congress reject Utah
and her Constitution a. ant-republiean
III form, when il la. admitted Iowa
with precisely the same constitution /.
We understand that the State consti
tuition oi Utah is silent upon the
subject OF polygamy, and is copied
after that Of Iowa, and now the qucs
ton arises, has Congress the power To
compel State to abolish any Of DO
mestic institutional The -Necs con
tends that Congress las such power,
but fails TO point it out, except in the
same cant phrases u,e. by its Repub-
Iican allies. We put the question
directly, and ask for Categorical
answer. lflowa should adopt q lss
permitting polygamy could Congress
interfere II it can in the case Of
Utah, it can in Iowa. The Demo.
cratic praty deny the right OF
Congress to exercise such power
Utah Is troublesome State TO those
who are not governed by inhexible
rules Of constitutional Interpretation.
By immigration and the nauenc
OF the sweeping pillows Of the higher
civilization of the States, the disgrace
ful religious rites AMI customs Of the
Mormons are TO be wa>l.e.I away. The
system Of polygamy ran only live
while ii remains isolated in the deserts
Of Utah. When the rushing tide of
enlightened humani,, shall have sur
rounded the feeble squad Of Mormons.
their odious customs will be cstiu-
guished in the light Of the moral
influences brought 10 bear ugon them.
AMENDMENT OF cry CHARTER.
100.
AN ACT to amend ar act entitled an ae,
to incorporate the Cay Of Davenport.
and to amend the several acts am nd.
atory thereto.
SEC. |. Be il enacted by tho Geusr.I
Assembly OF the State Of Iowa: That oil
that district of Country embraced with.
in the following bounilr be and the
came is hereby declared to DO within the
limits Of the said city # Davenport to
Wit, beginning in the middle Of the main
channel OF the Mississippi River due
south Of tho central or half section lins
OF section number thirty six in township
seventy eight north Of range four east:
thence north along said central line be
tween sections nineteen and thirty, thence
west along said Sc ion limo and the
southern boundary line Of section TWEEN.
y four in township seventy eight north
OF rsnse three east tn point due north
OF the north east ootner Of the tract AZ
land reserved BY The Government OF the
United States and donated to Anton.
10 Claire and known rs 10 Clairs's Re.
serve in ssid township ssvsntyeight north
range thres,sast thence north to the east
aud wsss central or hall section line Of
section twsntyfoar III Is id last mentioned
township, thence ives, 90 said central or
halt section line to sh, north wes. corner
OF The south west quarter Of section
twenty three. thence ou.h to point bali
wy between said ooros end thu .op,h
ssss corner Of section twenty two, theme.
wsss 70 The wsstsrr boundary line OF
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