The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-23

dishonesty are the surest passports to success.
THE GREAT MORMON AxNIyERsAeY m UrAH-
The FUTURE OF THE CHuRcH.-Ia this season Of
religious anniversaries, the thirtieth Conference
of the Mormon Church, Of which q full report
will be found elsewhere, deserves special at.
tendon. This remarkable sect has just concIu-
ded the third decade of its existence; and not
withstanding the hostility evoked by its doc
triaes and tho persecution to which 1t has
been subjected, it is now in more Aourishing
condition than at any former period during its
career. Whilst all the other churches have
been distracted and divided by the introduo-
ton Of political questions, foreign to their con-
stitution, Mormonism has preserved intact the
homogeneity of its system and discipline.
Whether that system be founded in error or
not, it has at least the merit of occupying Itself
solely with the things that concern it. It lis
practical in its objects and workings, and care-
fully avoids meddling with sentimental abstrac-
lions. Although It's doctrines may not
be in harmony with the religious belief
Of the great majority of our people.
they do not necessarily bring it in coa-
f1ict with our institutions. The liberation qua
ranteed by the constitution covers wide mar
gin of religious eccentricities, and it remains
yet to be proved that even the practice of poly
gamy justfes Legislative interference. Repug-
nant, however, Is is this practice to the Chns-
tan minded and patriotic Of our citizens, they
do not view it with a hundredth part of the
detestation and apprehension with which they
regard anti slavery fanaticism. The one only
carries out to an extreme one OF the wisest
principles of our institutions whilst the other
strikes at the very foundation of their integrity
and stability. We have nothing, in fact, to
dread from Mormon extravagances, but from
the excuses of abolitionist zeal and black
republican corruption we have before us the
certain prospect Of the dissolution of the fede-
raj compact, and the defeat Of the great expe-
riment on which the eyes Of the world are 80
attentively fixed.
OF Mormonism there is this much further to
be said. From recent occurrences there are
the strongest reasons to hope that the
practice which gives so much umbrage
to the Christian world, and which has
been engrafted on its original tenets by the
sensual propensities Of Brigham Young and his
coadjutors, will soon be weeded out from its
creed. The late manifesto of Joe Smith, SON OF
the founder of the sect, and who, at the solicita
ton of large proportion Of its members, has
assumed the High Priestship of the Church, de-
nounces, in the strongest terms, the spurious
doctrine which has brought so much discredit
and odium upon the faith. Under the leader
ship of the new Prophet there is no doubt that
practice which is abhorrent to all the really
sincere communicates of the Church, and to the
women more especially, will be put an end to.
Smith is about to take up his headquarters at
Kirkland, Ohio. As soon as it is known that he
has become the head of "the true faith, }" thou
sands of those who are now disguised with the
tyranny and sensuality Of Brigham Young and
his elders will hasten to place themselves un-
der his guidance. Thus the most Objectionable
feature of Mormonism, and the one that most
isolates its members from the rest of the COM
munity, will be got rid Of without trouble, and
they will fall back into their places as tractsble
and obedient citizens. 1t would be happy for
the country II every other species of fanaticism
contained within itself the same germs of re-
formation and cure. To these We fear nothing
but the straight waistcost and the strong arm
of restraint will restore reason and common
sense.