American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-07-08
What is ReIigionl

We ask the question, says the Cleveland
Herald, but shall not attempt its solution,
except to say that religion is not crime
Yet charge to grand jury in Utah, by
Judge Eckles, in which he presents polyg-
amy as criminal, is denounced in various
quarters by the friends of this Admins
tration as an interference with the religion
Of the Mormons. By tbs sams rule it was
interference with the religion Of the primi
tive Sandwich Islanders to deprive them Of
their human steak at breakfast, and like
interference would it be to check, by law,
the arm Of the Hindoo who would throw
its child into the Ganges, or the widow
who would mount her husbands pyre.-.
What is the great distinguishing character
istic between civilization and bsrbarism,
but tho diffsren! treatment woman rc-
ceives in the two states of Society. We
supposed that one object 81 the expedition
to Utah was to deliver the women of that
valley from the beaslly slavery ofsthat bar.
barism which makes them creatures Of lus'
while their attractions last, and abject me-
mails afterwards; and more 10 save the
earth from the curse OF diseased and imbe
cile generations which would be the pro
duct Of such licen!iousness and cruelty.
tits possible. however, that Judge Eek
les law do not suit the slavery propsgan
dists. for he uses two edged sword wher
he argues that because polygamy was pro
hibitsd by New Mexico. therefore, wher
Utah was incorporated as United State
territory the same law prevailed. How i
this law as 10 slavery? and If the reason i
good as 10 polygamy-as it undoubtedl,
is-assuredly it is as good as to slavery
We rather think that Judge Eckles' law i
, more distasteful to the Administration thai
: is his morality.
The charge of Judge Eckles as made t
his first Grad Jury in the Mormon coun
try, was as follows:
We cannot conceal from ourselves tn
knowledge Of the fact that certain domesti
arrangements exist in this Territory at wa
with those whicH pertain to all other Chris
tian communities, and destructive of tn
peace and good order of society. Polyga
my exists in Utah to a very considerabl
extent. while it is forbidden by every 9th
er State and Territory in the Union. ]
is not for you to inquire where this inst
tuition had its origin, or when or wha
were The consequences resulting froa il
1t is our duty to inquire whether it is au
thorized by law, and if not, by what stat
ute, il any, it is punishable.
1t is understood that the United State
acquired all of this Territory that is inhab
; tied by treaty from Mexico. AS the la,
of Mexico stood at the time of the treaty
polygamy was prohibited in this country
The municipal law in this respect was nc
changed by its cession 10 the Unite
States. Has. it, then, been altered sine
we acquired it? After the most dilligeu
u search and inquiry have b,sn enabled t
make, I have found none, and presume tn
o law is; therefore, unchanged; and hence a
marriages alter the first, while it remair
. in full force, are illegal and void. Is ther
any law in force in the Territory unde
which this practice is punishable? fin
n no statute Furnishing polygamy, but ther
is one, however for the punishment Of {
: dultery, and all illegal intercourse betwee
the two sexes, If either Of the parties hae
!, husband or wife living at the time, is {
:, dulterous and punished by Indictment
l The punishment prescribed by this sta
ute is Imprisonment for period not le:
l. than three nor more than twenty years, {
Is by fine of not less than $500 nor mol
II than ST 600, or both by fine and impri
e ooment, at the discretion of the Jury try
II ing the cause.
,, No consequences in which large pre-
!, portion of this people may be involved,
8 consequence of their criminal practic
will deter you from fearless di
m charge Of your duty. L is yours TO fiji
the facts and return indictments, witho
10 fear, favor, affection, reward. or any hoI
thereof. The law was made to punish Il
lawless and disobedient. and society is e
titled to the salutary effects Of its exec
ne ton. "r w. wee '"'
to Ey"Oh, that my father were seiS
It. with remit. tont feverp' sighed a spen