The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-08-31
The Surviving "TvyIn.,,

The Chicago Convention of 1860 in
the ''platform" which was there adopted.
used very plain language in reference to
the "twin barbarisms, slavery and poly
gamy" The former has in less than Eve
years from the assemblage of that body,
by process violent and unexpected when
the declaration was adopted, passed away
as national institution. From all the
States in which it existed except two
1t has been eradicated. Kentucky and
Delaware alone exist as slave States, and
so far as the disposition of the remaining
States IN reference to the expiration of
this barbarism has been ascertained. but
one other one, New Jersey, desires that
the crime against human nature shall con-
tlnue. In regard to the ether 5arbarism
polygamy, we have titus far contented
ourselves with the protests of political
convention and the passage of a prohibit
ory law by Congress, which remains upon
the statute book, without any attempt
ever having been made to enforce it
Admit that it will be difficult to vinGicate
this statute and to put it in operation
against the populous State, and we admit
that it was folly to have passed it. 1t
was, in fact, brought into Congress with
no sincerity, and it was not sanctioned be-
cause there was any degree of feeling up
on the subject of polygamy. 1t was con-
sl1ered to be necessary to stand right be-
lore the world, so far as mere declarations
were concerned, and therefore upon the
statute book the United States are all
right. The record against polygamy is
clear "Ihere is a law against It." and
although it is dead letter, it is supposed
the United States should be acquitted OF
ali responsibility FOR great crime Thus
stands this question In It's moral and legal
aspect, and whilst the surviving barbaric
twin Is growing fat and gaining strength,
our own Government is looking on with
an easy indifference which is not satisfac-
torily accounted for. Emigrants are
pouring into Utah with unceasing steadi-
ness. They are strong, hearty, and, worst
OF all, fanatlcal They have adopted
Mormonism, no doubt conscentiouslv, ac-
cording to the light which guides them.
They are the obedient servants of the
ocracy. They can be led into the most
savage excesses at the will Of their eccle-
siastical superiors. The sanction of these
leaders is all they require, and they are
ready to sacrifice themselves at any mo-
ment, in obedience to spiritual command.
Against population of this bigoted char
acter, mere laws of an adverse character
are of no avail. AS united people the
Mormons have succeeded to all abuses of
the Southerners. They have their pet
sin, which, instead of being slavery, is
polygamy. They believe in State rights,
which they think gives them authority to
regulate their Institutions They have
once rebelled against the power of the
United States, and are now better prepar-
ed for war thar they were when Colonel
Kane, with more luck than Horace Gree
ley at Niagara, constituted himself vol
untary peace commissioner. That they
arc willing to undertake rebellion at any
moment is undoubted, but they wait their
opportunity. There would be little hope
OF being able to control this troublesome
State were it not that the extraordinary
mineral development of the Rocky Noun
tain region is building up neighborhood
TO Utah, and preparing for service har-
dy, rough set Of men, who would be ready
at any time to deal with the Mormons,
and who would 90 their work effectively
A WAGGISH PRIsONER.-A few davs