American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-24
" TAu.

We clip the following sensible arti-
Gle from the Baltimore Clipper, which
we are satisfied will not fail to be
approved by every person who has any
regard for the decencies and proprie-
ties of life:
GA proposition is before Congress
to have the lines run between the
State of California and Utah. We
think it would be wise policy in the
Government to extinguish Utah as
separate territory, and divileit between
California and the adjoining terrific
RIGS; so asto abolish the Infamous sys-
TEN Of polygamy that prevails-for we
can hardly suppose that it will ever be
admitted as u State whilst that outra-
geous system is tolerated. Congress
should act dccisively upon that subject.
Brigham Young has declared his de-
termination to continue Governor of
the Territory--and is know that the
effort made by President Pierce to
supercede him by the appointment of
Col. Steptoe, entirely failed. Wehope
that when Mr.. Buchanan becomes Pre-
sidcnt, he will make u peremptory
demand for the Withdrawal of Brigham
Young from his position-and should
he refuse, that he will be driven from
authority, by force, if it be required.
1t is disgrace that such state of
things is permitted to exist--and it
must be changed if we would preserve
cast with civilized nations. The diff
Guilty might as well be met first as last.
Utah is now or soon will be a suppliant
for admission into the Union, with her
abominable liberation of polygamy !;
and members should make up their
minds rs to how they will dispose of
the application. 1t may be said that
Congress has not the constitutional
right to prohibit the practice, as it
would be interfering with the religion
of the Union.
In former times people existed
who obtained the appel!ation Of Assas-
sins from their mur;lerous propensi-
ties. 1t was said to be a part of their
religion to take life; and so likewise
with the Thugs Of Asia. They pro-
fessed to be guided in the selection of
their victims by signs or events. Now
suppose that people similar to either
OF these were to settle upon our terri
tories, and attempt to carry out their
principles, would our government give
them liberty to legalize their assassina-
tons, and admit them as q State of the
Union, because of that clause in the
Constitution which forbids interference
with religion? Can that be called
religion which encourages the taking
of life, or that promotes prostitution,
indecency and immortality? We think
not.
Our opinion is, that all legislation
should have an eye to the advancement
of the moral feelings of the community;
and, hence, that it is perfectly consis-
tent with right and duty, whenever
practices prevail in territorial COM
munity which tend to overturn the
civil and moral organizations of society,
and to shock the civilized world, to
arrest them, or at least to keep such
people from being recognized as a por-
ton of the American people. The
example Of the Mormonitcs is as per-
nicious to the we'll being Of society as
the practices of the Assassins or Thugs.
The latter take life, but are liable to
have their own lives sacrificed. The
Mormonites deprive females of all that
is valuable to the sex, and reduce them
to the condition of abandoned prosti-
tutes. We think that with either a
case would be presented demanding the
interference Of government.