Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-08


ninety-nine per cent. Of our population; and,
Of course, no grand jury viii find a bill OF
indictment. This has been the result Of
every effort thus far made to enforce the law.
REMEDIES PROPOSED.
There are two proposed remedies for the
existing state of affairs. One, the passage
of law by Congress- allowing the United
States Marshal TO select grand and petit
jurors, from list prepared BY himself This
would enable Jury to be Nude up entirely
Of Gentiles, previously known to be favora-
bic to the indictment or conviction of the
person accused. The trial thus, by a packed
jury, Of one accused, would be so entirely IN
conflict with the spirit cf all law and usage
relative TO a Jury trial, so entirely subver-
sive Of all prevailing ideas upon the subject,
that the propriety of constituticnality ofthe
law would be questionable.
The other remedy proposed is, that the
President declare martial law throughout
the Territory, and try all offenders BY mill
tary tribu a Il may we'll be doubted
whether a SSte Of things exists which would
warrant the proclamation Of martial law. II
would be almost certain to result in hostili-
ties. The power Of the Government would
be sufficient, of course, 70 utterly crush anil
extinguish the Mormon people in single
campaign, but the cost would be sufficient 20
build the Pacific railroad. The records Of
the War Office show that the expense Of
maintaining a single regiment in this region,
even in time Of peace, at distance Of thir-
teen hundred miles from its base of supplies,
and with simply wagon roads for transporta-
ton, exceeds S2,000,000 per annam.
THE TRUE REMEDY.
In my opinion, the solution OF the CUES
tiOn may he most wisely leftto time alone
The immigration Of the anti polygamie ele-
ment has but Just commenced. The recent
discovery of rich mines in many parts OF the
Territory viii induce, within the next three
or four years, an immense influx Of miners,
merchants and others, all hostile to the prac-
tice Of polygamy. The building Of the Pa
eihc railroad will greatly facilitate immigra-
ton, and open the country for settlement.
Within four or FIVE years at longest, from
present appearances, the Mormon element in
the Territory will be in the minority.
One great source Of the strength Of their
system heretofore has been their isolation
from the world. IL is now eighteen years
since Their first settlement in this valley, and
a very large proportion af the present popa-
lation have been either born in the Terri
tory, or were brought here when mere chill
dren, and are thus practically ignorant of
any system beside their own. Their ideas
Of the outside world are formed in good part
from the reckless adventures passing through
the Territory ON their way TO the mines of
California, Nevada and Idaho. Hundreds
of young girls, thus ignorant af other systems
of life, have been within She past few years
absorbed into the harems Of the Weather
class Of MormOns. They feel keenIy. not
the degradation, but the burden Of their al
most joyless lives; the repression Of all the
finer feelings and emotions, the exercise Of
which should make that period oflife per
petual delight
They accept their positions in the families
of gray-haired elders with sadness, but ct
the same time, with the feeling that they are
fulfilling thereby a religious duty, which
will ultimately bring its own reward In
these views, the influence OF even
the small numbered respectable GENTLE fam
lilies now residing in this city is most potent
Every such family which removes 20 that
Territory, the heads Of which live AZ has
band and wife should live, and which min
giles socially with the Mormon people, will
more in reyolutionizing public
opinion than regiment. of soldiers. The
Mormon wives will not be slow to appreciate
the desirableness Of possessing an entire, ra-
Their than the tenth or twentieth part Of q
husband
The policy of the Government should be
to foster, as far as practicable, every enter
prise which tends to the development Of the
resources of the Territory. Roads should be
improved, the opening Of the mines encour-
aged, and the benefits of our benefcient
homestead law speedily made available 10
ali settlers in the Territory. IL this course
be pursued, | am confident that within four
Or five years at longest, the public sentiment
Of the Territory will be entirely changed,
The antipolygamic element in the majority,
md the system abolished by Territorial err
ictments.
Again, the forcible termination of the ex-
sting system would give rise to numerous
questions not easy to be answered. Admit
ling that, as regards all except the first wife,
is but peculiar form Of licehtiOus
what disposition shall be made
IF the other wives Educated, ~ hundreds
Of them have been, in entire ignorance OF
1ther modes of life, they are entirely differ
mt in all respects from their lost sisters in
other lands. In assuming their present
they have lost not one item of
heir self respect. or of the respect Of the
They are received into society
On an equal footing in all respects with the
first wife. Their children are held equally
legitimate.
Shall these hundreds Of women be thrust
iorth upon the world, branded as prostitutes
heir children made bastards and with 20
lain whatever for support from their often
lines wealthy husbands These are grave
questions, which time will do much to solve.
rhe intelligent and unprincipled leaders Of
his people have much to answer for in the
uture but for their' simple and deluded
-ictims, we should cherish no feeling but
he broidest and kindest charity. And il
US to consider well in what man
er we shall exercise thischafify most wisely.
PTGRfM