The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-07-04
Tle felitiana 1emottat.
DOUGLAS ON MORMONISM.

delivered by Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, at
Springfield, Illinois, on "Kansas, Utah, and the
bred Scott Decision"
On perusal, we find the speech to he one of
those bold clear, and statesmanlike efforts, SO
eminently characteristic of that senator The
questions discussed are the most momentous
now challenging the attention of our states
men, and they have been met by the gallant
Douglas in manner worthy the champion of
the Kansas-Nebraska bill. His view of the
Utah difficulty, if il does not meet with gener-
al concurrence, will assuredly enlist universal
admiration for its direct and abrupt originate
ity and conference.
Assuming the representations true concern
ing the state Of things now existing in Utah,
Senator Douglas without circumlocuton, con-
cludes that community to be outlaws and alien
enemies, unfit to exercise the right of sclfgos-
eminent under the organic act, and unworthy
to be admitted into the Union as q State,
when their only object in seeking admission is
to interpose the sovereignty Of the State, as
an invincible shield to protect them in their
treason and crime, dcbanchery and nfamy.
Under this view of the subject he thinks it
is his fixed purposc) to remove Brigham Young
their places with bold, able, and true men,
and to cause thorough and searching inyesti-
cation into all the crimes and enormities which
are alleged to be perpetrated daily in that ter
rtory, under the direction of Brigham Young
and his confederates; and to use all the mill.
tary force necessary to protect the officers in
the discharge of their duties, and to enforce
the laws of. the land If authentic evidence
shall establish the facts believed to exist in
Utah, Mr.. Douglas insists that it is the duty
of Congress to apply the knife, aud cut off the
loathsome ulcer before its corruption shall cx-
tend to adjoining communities. So think we,
and so thinks every true republican of the
country.
MIR. Douglas expresses n want of faith in
the remedy proposed by some of our editors
and politicians; which is, that Congress should
pass a law prescribing criminal code, and
furnishing polygamy among other Offences
The process would not answer the purpose, be-
cause the local tribunals, composed of Nor
mons, would not correct their brethren under
the statute. The speaker very pithily and hui
morously illustrates this point by saying
"Would you call Oh twenty-thrce grand ju-
rymen with twenty-three wives cach to find
bill of indictment against poor miserable
wretch for having two wives. CHEERS and
laughter.) Would yourcly upon twelve petit
jurors with twelve wives each to convict the
same loathsome wretch for having two wives?
Would you expect grand jury composed of
twenty-three "Danites" to find bill against
q brother "Danite" for having murdered
GENTLE as they call all American citizens un-
der their direction. Much less would you ex-
pect q jury Of twelve destroying angels to find
another destroying angel guilty of the crime of
murder and cause him to be hanged for no
other oifense than that of taking the life of a
GENTLE! No"
This is plausible and satisfactory, hence
some other and more effectual plan must be
devised and applied. That plan, in the opin-
ion of Mr.. Douglas should be the absolute and
unconditional repeal of the organic act; thus
blottng the territorial government out of ex.
istcncc: upon the ground that they are alien
enemies and outlaws denying their allegiance,
and denying the authority of the United States.
Senator Douglas never takes the bull by the
horns" without being well prepared for the
conflict He argues that the territorial GOV
eminent once being abolished the country
would revert to its primitive condition prior
to the act Of 1850, "under the sole and ex.
elusive jurisdiction of the United States" and
should be placed under the operation of the
act of Congress, of the Both of April, 1880,
and the various acts supplementary thereto,
and amendatory thereof "providing for the
punishment of crimes against the United States
within any fort arsenal, dockyard, magazine,
or any other place or district of country, I'M
der the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the
United States" All ofienses against the pro. !
visions of these acts are required by law to be ,,
tried and punished by the United States courts !
in the States or territories where the offenders
shall first be apprehended or brought for tr- !
a." Thus it will be seen that under the plan j
proposed, that Brigham Young and his con. :
tederates could be apprehcndcd and brought !
Tor trial to Iowa, or Missouri, California or )
Oregon, or to any other adjacent state or ter $
rtory, where fair trial could be had and ius- !
tice administered mpartially-wherc the wit
nesses could be protected and the Judgment of G
the court could be carried into execution with s.
out violence or intimidation He says: 0
a" do not propose to introduce any new
principles into our jurisprudence, nor to change
he modes of proceeding, Or the rules of prac- Il
ice in our courts / only propose to place the D