Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-12-25
clothes-if had had brother Tom--it
might have-.But ah--
"Of all sad words oftongue or pen,
The saddest are these: 1T might have been =
Cokfar on M0rm0nis1tt.

A full report Of Hon. Schuyler Colfax's
late notable speech in Salt Lake City is
given in the Springfield Republican. The
Vice. President began by pleasant allusion
to the beauty of the valley, to his repeat
ed visits there, and to the advance Of the
people in the various branches of industry.
He referred TO his visit to the Tabernacle
and said he had listened respectfully to
the views of the Mormon leaders, believ-
ing as he did in free speech, and now
hoped the audience would hear him with
equal patience in m expression OF differ
ing opinions. Mr.. Coliax guarded him
self carefully from being misunderstood
rs offering any structures rs TO the creed
of his hearers ION any really religious
question" He said -
'Our land is land Of civil and religious
| liberty, and the faith of every man is
matter between himself and God alone.
You have as much right to worship the
Creator through president and twelve
apostles of your church organization as
have through the minister and elders and
creed OF mine. And this right | would
defend for YOU with rs much zeal Is the
right of every other denomination thro'-
out the land"
But no assumed revelation continu-
ed Mr.. Coliax, justiiies any one irrtralnp-
ling on the law. He then pointed out
that the law of 1862 is binding in Utah rs
we'll as in any other part of the country
that its constitutionality is TO be tested
only in the Supreme Cou:t; that the
original Book of Mormon expressly disar-
vowed and prohibited polygamy: and
continued -
And vet, while you assume that this
later revelation gives YOU the right To
turn your back OH your old laith and to
disobey the law, you would not yourselves
tolerate others in assuming rights Tor
themselves under revelations they might
claim To have received. or under religions
they might profess The Hindoos claim,
as part of their religion, the right to burn
widows with the dead bodies OF their
husbands. If they were To attempt 1t
here, asthcir religion, you would prevent
il by force. ia new revelation were to
be proclaimed here, that the strong men
should have the right to take the wives OF
the weaker men. that the learned men
should take the wives OF the unlearned.
that the rich men should take the wives ot
the poor, that those who were powerful
and influential should have the right to
command the labor and the service OF the
humber, rs their bond slaves, you would
spurn il, and would rcly upon the law
and the power of the United States To
protect YOU"
Mr.. Colfax then replied TO the argument
that the Mormon institution Of marriage
concerns only themselves, illustrating his
remarks by the supposition of bonc-boll-
ing establishment in the midst of II city,
or powder. mill next to n hotel. Passing
from the polygamy question. he gave
some good advice to the Salt Lake people
on their policy Of discouraging competi-
ton in trade, of rcpelling investments
from abroad, Of crushing out new enter
prises of every kind, by way of maintain
ing their isolation and keeping out the
! Gentiles.