The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-02-24
The Mormon Question.


The bill introduced in the House Of
Representatives, by Mr. Cullom, from the
Committee on Territories, for the better
government of Utah, contains numerous
provisions, but It's general design Is to
break up the peculiariies which have SO
long separated that Territory from the
other parts of the United States, II con-
templates the abolition Of polygamy and
also the entire overthrow of that ecclesl'
astical system which, in spite of the Con-
stitution, has all the force and all the evil
effects of the worst sort Of established
church. The civil power Us well rs the
ecclesiastical is really in the hands Of the
Mormon priests. They hold large pro
portion of the offices, and they dictate
those who shall hold all tho others. A
majority of the regular 1lormons arc Of
foreign birth, and arc bigots Of the worst
type, They have no sympathies with the
people Of the United States, and, for the
most part, they cherish an intense hatred
Of our government and our institutions
The whole system prevailing there is u
monstrosity, u standing outrage and re-
proach to American civilization as well as
to the civil and religious freedom of the
republic. So long as 1t lasts, the laws OF
the United States can be but imperfcctly
administered in Utah, and American citi-
zenship in that Territory will be virtually
dependent on an ecclesiastical test.
To this odious state Of affairs the bin of
Dir. Cullom Is designed to put I'm end, and
In It's place to establish social systcmthat
shall be in harmony with the laws Of the
land. Not only is the fundamental law {
tho Territory to be changed, but It's modes
Of administration, both judicial and Gxecu-
tive, are to be changed also 1t sets aside
much Of the existing Jurisdiction Of the
Territorial Courts and extends that Of the
Courts of the United States; it regulates
the selection of grand and petit jurors,
which has been hitherto wholly controlled
by the ecclesiastical authorities, and what
is deemed very important, it allows the
challenge of jurors both by the prosecu-
ton and the defendant in criminal cases.
1t forbids pOlygamY md makes II penal
offence, and 1t requires the registry Of eve
ry marriage. 1t also declares and guar
Nntees the rights OF all inhabitants Of the
Territory under the Constitution of the
United States, whether they be MOrmons
or Gentiles. and expresses on the part Of
Congress determination that there shall
be no spots Of American soil on which
these rights are not secure. To mike this
security more complete, It provides for the
employment ofthe national military force
whenever the Marshal is e1ectually resist
cd In the execution Of the laws.
The foregoing are thcmost conspicuous
features of the new bill for the govern
ment Of Utah. The very anticipation Of
any bill has created great excitement in
the territory for some time past, Public
meetings have been held and all manner
of resistance has been threatened. Even
the women have come togetherin council
and have vehcmently denounced, in adj
vance, any attempt to overthrow the "pe-
culiar institutions" to which they profess
to be SO much attached They call It the
sacred right of every man to choose his
own wife and ofevery woman TO be chosen,
and they proclaim themselves determined
to stand by 1t at every hazard and every
sacrifice, and call upon all the saints to do
likewise. No Southern State in the early
days Of the incipient rebellion, could boast
Of women more heroic in their resolves.
There is nothing which they are not will
ing to dare and do in behalf of the sacred
cause. When this bill, therefore, comes
to be known in tho Mormon kingdom in
all its details, we may look for thGsquall.
est possible times. Should tactually pass
and become law, 1t will not be surpris.
ing ir the whole territory breaks ont into
open rebellion.