The Portland daily press., 1870-03-29
Another Mormon War.

Maine rightfully claims to be at least II q
equal OF her sister States in the intelligence
AID virtue OF her people. Yet our State has
from some unexplained reason been selected
as = favorite field of effort by religious imros
tors. 1t is only few years ago that hook
nosed, sharp-eyed, cunning fellow, who look
ed like German Jew in the old clothes bust
ness and who brought with him as colabor-
er wife who by the concurrent testimony of
all who knew her was possessed by at least
seven devils, carried off with him to JANA a
colony of misguided people from Washington
County who believed that "Elder Adams
was prophet. Most of these unfortunate
people have either died In faiestine or nave
returned. ruined and heart-broken,t to their ma
u,e land, while few still cling to their propb-
ct who seems to be worshipper of BaccLus
rather than of any other divinity. Worse. If
possible, than the lamentable delusion of the
Indian River colonists is that of the people of
Oxford County who are becoming a prey to
the wiles of Mormon emissaries. A late numt or
Of the Oxford Democrat says that David Ses-
sions Brown, the Mormon missionary, contin-
ues his proselyting work, and that in all thir-
ty-six persons have left the town of Mexico
for Utah. 1t is difficult to understand how
there can be such moral and intellectual dark
ness prevailing in the midst of an intelligent
community. These people 90 to reinforce the
murderers of DR.. John King Robinson, former
ly Of this State, whose assassination in 1856
was the occasion of the passage by the Maine
Legislature of series of resolutions in which
our Senators and Representatives were direct
ed to oppose themselves in all practicable
ways to polygamy.
The emigration of citizens of Maine to
Utah gives to us new interest to the re-
pressive measures respecting polygamy that
have passed the House and are now pending
in the Senate. Mr.. Cullom's bill had its more
severe features eliminated before its passage
but 1t is still more vigorous measure than
the laws of 1852 which proved nudity, be-
cause Mormons themselves were thu jurymen
before whom prosecutions for polygamy were
tried. OF course such juries did not convict.
The present bill excludes Mormons from juries
and forbids them to vote or hold office. 1t
provides for the fine and Imprisonment Of
both husbands and wives who are par
ties to q violation of the law against
polygamy, and for the confscation OF
their property. 1t also provides for the trial
Of offenders against the law by United States
courts, and, most important of all. for the en-
ployment of troops to enforce the decisions o.
the courts.
The bill is in effect, declaration of war.
If it passes the Senate and an attempt is made
to enforce it, instead of permitting it to be-
come dead letter, like the law of 1862, there
cannot be much doubt that bloodshed will fol-
low. So the question presented to the Senate
d whether is well to undertake to repress
polygamy at such a risk. The Representatives
from the Pacific coast are for the most part
opposed to the bill. They hold like Justin
Mccarthy, that the Pacific Railroad and other
civilizing influences to which the Mormons are
becoming subject, will destroy polygamy, il
anything can. Mr.. Fitch or Nevada, and Mr..
Sargent of California, hold that the plan OF
using force as moral agency in this case is
impracticable.
If the past history of the Mormon delus-
ion Is of any use in determining the proper
method of destroying it we are driven to the
conclusion that only has the effect to strength
en- its hold upon its victim. Only forty years
ego that "vagabond, drunkard and thief" JOS
eph Smith inaugurated the movement. The
violence with which his followers were treat.
ed in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois has built I'D a
community of at least hundred thousand
souls. In 1857, we had what was known as
the Norman war. It cost at least $4,000 600
but did not effect anything in the way Of
breaking down Brigham Young's despotism.
IT anything can save the Prophet from the
rum tnaI internal uIssenti0nS and the" JOSEPH
lite" schism are rapidly bringing him it will be
the attempt to place him and his people IN the
position of martyrs. Persecution, above all
things, is necessary for the perpetuity of his
crumbling church. If no persecution is at.
tempted, if emigration fills Utah with a pur-
er and more intelligent people than the victims
Of Young's sorcery, if our Anna Dickinsons
and Colfaxes 60 on exposing the vileness OF
the deluslon ard its miserable results-if all
these things are done, while no movement is
made to secure the morality of whole people
by physical force, the end cannot be far of.