Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-23

shown "clear grit" as well as developed
curse to themselves and the country.
Many of them are sincere but infatuated,
believing infheir Prophet as the followers
of Mahomet believed in him, and would
doubtless carry his standard through fire
and blood at his bidding. trusting that
they were doing the work of duty and re-
ligion.. Here is the danger and the diff
Guilty. Were they all impostors, as Brig
ham Young is, it would be easy to know
what to do with them; there would be no
computations of conscience at marching a
corps of soldiers into their territory and
teaching them decency and honesty. But
while we believe it would be doing Chris
tianity and Civilization a service to tear
up and destroy Mormonism root and
branch, we shrink from applying force to
honest though deluded communities, trust
ing that by some gentler means their eyes
may be opened and they turn from their
errors. If, however, in the excess of their
zeal they stubbornly refuse to recognize
the rightful authority of the government.
as they have done on several past occa-
sions, and are now doing in the failure to
pay their taxes, they would probably find
that feelings of pity and mercy would
give way to sterner emotions, and the
strong hand be applied with unsparing
justice to the grand cause of their and our
trouble, making vast funeral pile of their
city for the immolation of their gods and
prophets.
1t is hoped that the schism which has
sprung up among them may result in en-
tightening the benighted believers in Nor
monism, and with the growth of Christian
influences around them and in their midst
finally succeed in overturning their sys-
tenn of religion; but withal there is doubt
and anxiety at the nations heart about the
matter, and indecision as to the course re-
CURED to be pursued by policy and duty.
There is disposition to wait if waiting
ing and trusting will extinguish the evil
which we dread but on the other hand,
the question is still forcing itself upon us,
whether delay is not dangerous, and the
better course TO grapple with the monster
at once and throttle it before it is older
and stronger. We remember how we
waited for another great evil to die out,
and at last how much it cost to destroy it.
The 22nd of February is day to be
commemorated the world over, by all who
believe in governments where the people
rule. Yesterday the birth of Washington
was celebrated in this and foreign coun-
tries, and his name was uttered with rev.
erent praises by many tongues. Much as
Washington did by his yalor and military
skill to establish this government, he is
not more renowned for that than the mag
nanimity with which he refused to make
his successes subservient to his personal
ambition, and steadily adhered to the idea
of a peoples government. The birthday
of so glorious a leader in the disenthral-
ment of the world from despotism, or the
one-man power, should be day ofjubilee
and thanksgiving among all nations, and
we note without surprise that it is becom-
ing such. The liberty loving people of
Europe joined with Americans yesterday
in doing him honor. -.. -....
The Ways and Means Committee have
determined to report in favor of a reduc-
ton of taxation to the amount of some
thirty millions. This means an extension
of the time for the extinguishment of the
national debt, and relief from some of the
burdens of taxation to the end that our in
dustry may be encouraged A large re-
duction of the income tax is urged, but we
fail to see how such reduction would ma
terially relieve the mass of the people or
stimulate production. 1t is probably tax
as easily paid by those upon whom it falls
as other taxes are by those who have to
pay them. A large reduction would Gre
ate dissatisfaction, and defeat in a measure
the benefits that might result from dimi-
mutton of taxation.
The Western sentiment in favor of the
initiation of the currency succeeded the
other day in gaining point in the House.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Loughridge to
increase the amount of currency $4,000
900, was carried by vote of 10 to 70.
There was no party division upon it, but
eastern members generally went against
it and the western members for it, without
regard to their being democrats Or repub-
licans.
GENERAL AMES.
Kansas wheat is an inch high.
The detective police system has BEEN ADAM
doned in Boston.
The Illinois Central Railroad is now carry
ing more freight than at any time during the
war.
Mr.. Gladstone's favorite gymnastic amuse-