Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-03-02
Mormonism.

it is spreading faster than ever"
"How large a proportion of the
people, in your opinion, are polyga
mists ?"
"About one-third, | think"
"Why do you practice it?'
ave believe it to be ordained of
God to restore the human race to It's
primal condition of fstrength and beau
ty, as a means of counteracting sin
in short, that it will regenerate the
human family. This will be the frs
result, but its blessed effect will be as
far reaching as eternity, for we are
rearing souls for the glory of God.
The views of this Mormon in re
gard to the spread of polygmy con
firm that advanced by Judge Drake
Of the United States court of Utat
territory, before the committee of
congress. He says:
"Since 1905 polygamy has increas
ed at least 100 per cent. Throughout
the territory. Previous to 1868 this
doctrine or practice was not gener
ally held to be a religious necessity
but merely a tolerance to be INDUCED
in by those who desire it. 1t is now
held to be a cardinal point. Tha
and the shedding of the blood Of ap
estates to save their souls are the two
soul saving doctrines of the Mormon
faith"
THE LAW OF CONGRESS AGAINST POLYG
AMY
In 1862 congress passed law
against polygamy, which it was hoped
would stop the growing evil, but it is
dead letter How can law be en-
forced in a community which is hos
tile to the law-where jury and wit
nesses are leagured to prevent its eX
ccution? The United States has its
/ judges here, ready to do their work
faithfully, but no Mormon jury viii
convict Brigham or any Of his apostle;
Of polygamy when they themselves are
p9lygami,ts; or will any witness ties
lify against Brigham. They love anc
reverence their prophet. They a.SC
believe in pOlygamy as an institution
ordained of God. They look upor
the law Of congress as levied agains
the corner stone of the church, and a;
in direct contravention of the consti
tuition. which guarantees to every mai
the right to believe whatever he plea
ses in religion.
| dare say that it will oe difficul
for your readers to understand how
men and women can, by any process
of reasoning, or sophistry, or by an,
workings of the mind, come to accep
such a belief. But is there anything
too absurd, repulSive, or horrible TO
human belief in matters of religion
A few months ago, while riding thro
the .jungles Of India, the place wa
shown me where Thugs, in iorme
days, waylaid their passing victims
knocked them on the head, dragge,
them into the depths Of the jungle a
acceptable sacrifices to their gods
and if those heathens could come int,
such religious belief, why may no
/ the Mormon come to believe that cor
cubinage lis ordained of Codes
pecially with the examples of Abra
ham, Isaac, Jacob and David, Of tn
patriarchS and kings Of Israel for e1
amples? Is it any wonder that tn
Mormon thinks he is doing Gods sci
, vice by doing all he can to delay it
execution? When Judge Titus wa
here an attempt was made to enforc
this law, but resulted in failure. LeaC
ing MormonS were brought before tn
grand jury, out not one of them kne'
anything about polygamy. 1t migE
exist, it might not, they couldn't sa!
The law cannot be enforced. 1t
meshes are not small enough to cate
Brigham. He can defy it. He
stronger to-day than ever. His pow
er is increasing, and from what ha
, transpired, it is evident that he il
tends to make it felt.
NON-INTERCOURSE WITH GENTILES.
The proclamation has been made thu
there must be non-intercourse wit
e the gentiles in trade. The outsid
2 traders who do not believe i'll Mo
G monism are to be driven out. A Mo
, mon may take Gentile's money, h
: may work for a Gentile-may tax
not give; may sell to him, but NJ
? buy of him. Take all You can-heeC
e the unbeliever is the watchword.-
The proclamation was made at tt
{ grand conference meetinga few weeI
0 since. Brigham said on that occasiC
i quote from the Desert News:
J. want to tell my brethren, my trienC
and my enemies, that we are going
l. draw the reIns so tight as not to let
= latter day saint trade with an outside
We will trade with you if you W
l. give US your money: we are entitlt
= to it \ Our outside friends S;
e they want to civilize US here. VIII
J. do they mean by civilization WI
II they mean by that to establish gam
e ling holes, grog-shops and houses {
IS ill-fame; also swearing, drinkin
D. shooting each other, Then they wou
N send their missionaries here, with
u ces as long as jackasses' ears, W
d, would go crying and groaning tn,
IL the streets: "Oh, what poor, mise
Iy able, sinful world p That is what
IS. meant by civilization. But the sair
# don't want it, and we will not Ia
III it. \ My feelings are that eve
or man and woman who will not oh
8 this counsel shall be severed from t
ne church, and let all who feel as |
r. lift up their right hand.
The vote was unanimously in fav
as of the proposition.
te This was in October, and measul
as were at once taken to establish a gra
IS cooperative association with capi
ze of two millions, so that every gent
D. trader might be driven out of t