The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-10-28
The Mormons.
Vice President Colfa1 Dcnounces POIygamy.

Vice President Coltax. 'on his way
Eastward stopped at Salt Lake city,
and delivered a speach, in which he
used some very plain language, con-
corning Polygamy. We make few
extracts from his speech on this
occasion:
After stating that he was on the
eve of his departure from Salt Lake
city, and thanking the people for all
eourtesies extended to him ON this
and previous visits said;
| have enjoyed meeting and as
sOciating with many friends here,
but this great pleasure has been not
unmingled with pain, and l feel it
imperative upon me to ugive express
sion on one point, to the views and
sentiments which / believe are held
by the great majority OF the Ameri-
can people. 1t is better for those
who are in public life to talk face to
face frankly with the citazens OF this
great republic, as an American cit
azen should talk, and rs such | stand
before you to night. | know that
many of you differ with me OH the
point at issue between Won and the
government. ] have been to your
Tabernacle, your Bowery and ward
assemblies, and have there listened
patiently to the expounding OF views
with which | have no sympathy.
But l recognize your right to ex-
press such views rs you choose, and
claim the same right. lis iii no
spirit Of unkindness, but rather from
a sense OF duty, that | refer to this
unpleasant subject, that [ speak
freely as an American citazen on the
soil of the republic, under its flag
and within the bounds of its author
ity. | believe you will listen to me
as patiently az | have to you. 1t is
defying and violating the law Of tho
United States, obligatory OH ali the
Territory, which makes the heart OF
the Amerlc II people cold toward
you, which illustrates your endea-
vors to become State OF the Union.
We live in the free Republic Of
United States of America. 1t is a
vast continental domain, stretching
from ocean to ocean, its resources
varied and magnificent beyond con-
ception, Sill i'll the infancy of its
developement with immense parts of
it newly settled, its population is
10000, 1000. and its institutions are
commensurate in grandeur with It's
physical proportions. The civil and
religious rights Of individuals are
inalienably guaranteed by the consti-
tuition, sublime i'll its simple justice.
That constitution and the laws made
under its authority constitute the
shield Of all our interests, the SUI
preme law of the land from which
there is no appeal save to the power
that originated 1.-THE people. l
know that many of you differ with
me respecting the constitutionality
of that law of Congress, which in
Utah is ignored and de6ed. That
Is n question for the courts to decide,
and until they pronounce law I'M
Constitutional. there is no safe course
but obedience to it. But you say
we had no right to enact this law,
because 1t interferes with part OF
your religion, No man can excede
myself in devotion to civil and reli-
gious liberty. / will stand in de-
fence of every really religious prin-
ciple with ell my strength. and even
at the risk ofmy life, !; You have the
right to worship Sod as you please,
iii common with myself and all other
men in this country. You have the
right to such religious faith as is
given you, to such church organiza-
ton as shall best please you | will
stand by you now and always in de-
handing and defending that right.
But the practice of which | speak
has nothing to do with religion or
Gods worship; and, when you tell
me that this law of Congress is a
nudity because it interte es with
your religion, with your right to
believe according to your light, and
worship as your concience shall die
tate, | reply if this were SO, as it ia