Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-08-10
THE NTORMoNS,


There is a chance that this frighful ex
crescence on the body polite will be remov.
ed. Captain Gibson, who seems to have
identified himself with the Mormons, is said
to be about embarking for the East Indies,
to seek an insulated home for this fanatieal
sect. Such course was suggested some
time since by Captain Gibson who has had
a varied experience in the Australian Is
lands; and at his instance was proposed by
Brigham Young to our Government, on con-
dition that the United States would purchase
the Mormon property in Utah. Little no
| tice was taken of the offer, but it is now
said that if a favorable locality is found
they will abandon their city and depart.
1t has become grave question, what to
do with these people. Increasing in num-
bers and wealth, already assuming the pro-
portions of State, and claiming represen-
tations in National councils, there is vet
that in the constitution of their Government,
as well as in their social institutions, which
precludes the possibility of their admission
into our political confederacy. Their dis
tinguishing religious and social characters
tic, polygamy, is in defiance of the first
principles of civil law and social order;
while they deny political allegiance outside
of their hierarchal head, as entirely as the
Jesuits. They have been already cause
OF great expense to the Government-an
expense which must continually Increase
The execution of the laws of the United
States has been found next to impossible,
ba i I,
large foreign accessions to their numbers
There is something of truth or substance
In every error, to keep it alive; in the Nor
mon fanaticism that preserving thread is
thrift. Nothing but accretion is needed,
however slow the process, to make any in
dividual or community wealthy. This the
Mormon leaders have had the wisdom to
secure; and having added to it con-
tinual appeal to the most Unsuitable animal
passion, the indulgence of which they sane
tion as religious duty, it is not so much
wonder that their community increases.
They are exceedingly well off, and they
know it and arc made to believe that it is
the reward of their religious faith. It may
be added that an inordinate selfconceit is
cause. There are many Mormons in prin-
ciple everywhere. Let man convince him
self worldly gain and the indulgence of
selfish passions are sanctioned by the Deity,
and he will readily adhere to any religious
faith which adopts this faeile pravity of his
nature.
Z Mormonism, in its open profession, be-
longs to the barbarous ages and dark places
of the earth, 1t has no business or place
in a Christian land It's adherents feel
this. They are uneasy among us; they do
not wish to be under the restraints of civil
lied laws and protection which they might
realize from the United States, they feel
would not pay them for submitting to the
restraints and obligations of citizenship.
On their own standards, they are right.
They have retreated from Chrstiarity as
far as Salt Lake, but it threatens to over
take them there The report that they
are disposed to make their next exodus to
the very antipodes, therefore probable 1t
would be like them to do it, and it is the
best thing for them to do. They cannot be
converted; missionary operations among
tutiH are lIpoSSIUic. Lucy may Hot De
abated by the strong hand !; that is contrary
to justice and the spirit of the age. Let
them 60 where they can pursue their wicked
foolerics to the appointed end. This end
is an involution into the barbarism of the
pasta falling backward into the darkness
of heathenism. It will be said of them,
las they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, He gave them over to repro
bate mind to work all manner of evil with
greediness" What will be their precise
history in the East Indies, we cannot pre-
dict. They may have wars with the saw
ages they may be exterminated by strange
diseases-a not improbable issue; they
may have risings and civil wars among
themselves Or they may thrive in numbers
and increase in material wealth for many
years. But the result in any case will be
retrocession into barbarism-the sure
end of every human institution which rejects
Christianity. Mormonism is "ike salt
which has lost its SAVIOR" and as nothing
can be done with it, it were better cast
out.-N Y World.