The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-01

~ 'OO' Olhorens ways may 90 suggested by
which Mormonism may be peacefully extirps-
ted in the course OF time, bat there Is one way
by which the number Of its adherents can
be vastly multiplied, aud its existence inieh-
nitely prolonged and that's by giving the Nor
mons cause to say justly that they are the
subjects Of invidious legislation--in other
words, are prosecuted.
The method proposed in Mr.. Ashley's bill
is, perhaps, the most offensive that could be
devised. Instead Of passing law to punish
polygamy severely, which would have been a
direct step to the end desired, however inefi-
caoious to attain it, Congress is asked to give
up the Mormons and their large and valuable
possessions to the mercy OF adjoining Terrific
res and States. The ad AGENT populations do
not like the MormoDs (nor the Mormons
them), and their cupidity and love OF power
would be gratifed by having those fanatics in
their grasp. The persecution which the Gene
raj Government is unwilling to engage in di-
reotly would be oheerfully undertaken by the
neighbors ofthe Mormons, when the reward of
such policy would be the enrichment of ind-
viduas and of the Golfers of the State The effect
of this wOuld probably be one of two things.
Either the Mormons would adopt the cuu-
ming policy of abandoning the open practice
of polygamy, while they secretly would keep
1t mp, and by virtue of that secrecy attract to
themselves converts more rapidly than ever;
or else they would leave Salt Lake City as they
left Nauvoo, and go to New Mexico, or Oregon,
or Washington Territory TO found new settle
ment or settlements. The same causes which
have led to their numerical strength and
material prosperity in Utah would have the
same effect wherever they go; and If they
should think fit to break up into half dozen
camps, as they might, each one of these would
be the nucleus for the formation of more Salt
Lake cities, as large and rich as the original
one.
OF the two evils it is probably better for
| civilization that the Mormons should be a sect
alone by themselves, set apart and distinct,
| as they now are in their Salt Lake home,
than that they should put on hypocritical airs
and profess to yield to public opinion, while
they gradually sap and debauch it. Sects
may flourish the most in reality while the
| practices by which they play upon human
| passions are concealed beneath veil of de-
| cency. There may be many persons in all
| parts of the country who would not object to
being Mormons on the sly, but who would
not consent, in the present state of public
sentiment, to join them before the world.
| When Mormonism puts on the cloak and
mOnths protestations of virtue, then it will
become a very powerful and dangerous
agency to undermine Christian institutions.
How then shall Mormonism and polygamy
be put down? Precisely as any other false
religion is put down-by the peaceful dissent
nation of Christianity-by the spread of Chris
tian civilization. Killing Mormons, banishine
tbem confscating their property, will do nc
good, as we have shown, to say nothing of the
inhumanity OF such modes of procedure. IL
the light of Christian civilization, which will
fast close all about Utah, Mormonism cannot
exist. While the circumjacent regions are the
homes of new settlers, who do not represent
the highest development of morality and reli
gion, Momonism has lease of apparently
vigorous life, for there is no striking contrast
to exhibit its hideous fallacy to its deludeG
followers. But let the neighboring lands bt
filed up with. Christian population, ant
Utah itself be gradually settled by the same
class, as it surely will be in tue course of time
and Mormonism will disappear, as all Other
heathenish religions do, by mere contact and
comparison with Christianity. This is the
slower way, but the only sure one. The com
pletion of the Pacific Railroad may haster
this auspicious result much faster than any o
us imagine.
Believing, therefore, ss fully as Mr.. Ashley
does, that Mormonism and its corner stone
polygamy, ought to be effaced from the land
we have suggested the policy which we thinl
will most quickly and efectually accomplish
that good.