The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-06-29
The Dimeulties of Aboli.hins Mormopi.m.

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Polygamy, as it is called amongst the Nor
mons, is only concubinage. No form of mar
riage is executed between the parties. Brig
ham Young, or one of the elders, says to u
woman that she is ''sealed" to such a man,
and she goes and lives with him. Brigham
calls all who are sealed to him wives; but they
are only concubines. ow, is there any law
of the United States making eoncubinage a
'crimei Some of the States make adultery u
punishable offence in their courts. But there
is no sheh law enacted by Congress for the
territories, nor made by Utah for the people
which inhabit its territory. The concubi-
mage of Mormonism may, therefore, continue
in existence with the full authority of the
United States IN this territory.
AS TO the other popularity quasi gov
eminent of their churh-all churches take
cognizance of the conduct Of their members,
and the submission to their behests is entire
ly voluntary. So, if the mormons think
proper to submit to the DEGREES Of their
church in matters of personal conduct or
even in matters of property, as did the prim-
itive christians, how can government inter-
fere! If the people will not bring suits into
the courts of the United States. how can the
courts adjudicatel 1t appears to US, there
fore, that the popularity of mormonism may
.co-exist with the full acknowledgement of
the authority and laws Of the United States.
But if there was an incompatibility be-
tween them, the remedy is so easy of ma
king themselves a state, that we cannot
doubt they will use it. They have upwards
of one hundred thousand people in Utah,
and proslytes are daily focking into the ter
ritory, both from Europe and this country,
to swell their numbers. Now what is to pre-
vent them from applying at the next Con-
.gress fer admission into the Union State!
What will the advocates Of squatter sover-
eighty say to the proposal? Can they re-
ject It! Even on the principle laid down in
the Presidents inaugural address, Utah must
be admitted. The constitution of the United
States prescribes but one condition 70 the adj
mission Of territory as state-the consti-
tuition shall be republican,; and by the laws
of congress as well "a 4sages of the general
number of inhabitants TO send a member
to congress, shall be admitted into the union
That number is now one hundred thousand
and the mormons have this number, and
more, in Utah territory. Once state, ar,
not the contracts of marriage, like all othel
contracts, under the exclusive control Of the
-etates Can the general government, or an.
other state, dictate what shall be the laws O
marriage in the state, or prescribe or limi
the authority Of courts established within it
limits by a stated
For these reasons it appears to US tina
mormonism can only be abolished by TIN
progress Of civilization and the morality o
= true religion. The force of the Unite'
States, employed to establish United State
authority, will not touch the peeuliarities o
mormornism. and connot overthrow its in
stitutions. Force employed TO destroy tn
people or extirpate their doctrines. would b
be worthy only of the dark ages Of persecu
tion.- Charleston Mercury