Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-28
THE MORMON QUESTION.

indicates q feeling for active war against
the Mormon practice of much marrying
Although the bill has been reduced in force
by the amendments which it underwent
before it passed the House, it still carries
with it considerable potency, enough to
disturb Brighams coniugal happiness if
smartly administered Mr.. Ward of New
York, member of the committee on
territories, was for taking the monster
Polygamy by the throat and making short
work with it, He seemed to think that if
it were not throttled at once it would not
only. corrupt and control the adjoining
christian communities. but become
the supreme power in the United States,
and put us all under the jurisdiction of
Brigham Young or his successors. Mr..
Schenck of Ohio, did not appear to love
the institution of Mornonism more than
the New York member, but to have more
confidence in the strength of christianity
and less fears of polygamy than the other,
and doubted whether Mr. Culloni's bill
would prove, if tried, an effective instru-
ment in destroying the latter. Mr.. Blair
of Michigan expressed himself in favor of
serving the harems of the Mormons as
Cromwell did the converts, when he
stamped his foot on the threshold and said,
go, spin, We .iades Go spin :" Mr.. Hooper
of Utah, was the sole champion of the
many wives doctrine on the floor of the
House. lie protested against the passage
of the bill, as a violation of the dearest
rights of the people of Utah and fraught
with evil. This was the first time in the
history of the American government that
the proposition was made to punish citi
zens for their belief or disbelief The
bill declared that the social system which
Moses taught, which God allowed and
from which Christ had sprung was crime,
and that every one not simply practicing
it, but believing in it, was to be-not tried,
but convieted his wife turned out;on the
world, his property contiscated for the ben
eft of the moral reformers who were the
instigators of the bill. Thus argued Mr..
Hooper.
While this discussion hrs been going on
in Congress over the corner stone of Nor
monism, the prophet Of that faith, accom-
panied by his fayorite wife for the present
time, and several of his elders, has taken
q far journey from Salt Lake city to the
confines Of Arizona. What this pilgrimage
is for seems to be a matter of doubt, in
quiry, and speculation. While Mr. Hooper
ayows that Brigham is only journeying to
view his distant possessions, as he often
does, there are those who do not hesitate
to express the opinion that he is prospect
ing for place for future settlement in
case Mr.. Cullom in Congress and the
schismatics in Utah make Salt Lake too
uncomfortable for him to remain in. 1t is
asserted by those who profess to know,
that if he concludes to abandon his pleas
ant places in Utah and seek safety for him
self, his doctrines and numerous wives in
some new locality, he will be followed by
but a small portion of the Mormons, and
that the separation will be the death of the
whole concern finally. This may be so,
but there are good reasons to doubt that
we shall SO easily get rid of the Mormon
evil. Brigham Young will not leave Utah,
where he has made the "desert blossom
like the rose" until dire necessity forces
him to leave. He can be no more safe
from molestation anywhere else in the
United States than in Utah. Railroads,
telegraphs, and Cullom bills will follow
him wherever he may go. He must 90
beyond the reach of this government to
some other country to escape the tide
which is setting against him.
Like Mr.. Sehenck, however, we place
more confidence in the influences of civil
ization and christianity to strangle in their
embrace the institutions of the Latter Day
Saints than the Cromwellian method sug-
gested by Mr.. Blair. True, slavery re-
sisted them and died at last only of the
sword, but the contest in that case was
more equal in numbers and political infu-
ence, and slavery took its stand upon the
bible. While there was no railroad to the
Pacific, and no christian settlements being
made in proximity to the territory which
he occupied. Brigham scoffed at the eff
forts Of the government to interfere in his
affairs but since the innovations of the
few last months there is evidently more
uneasiness in the Prophets mind than for
merly, and fearful looking forward to
the result Of the collision between the faith
which he processes and the christian re-
ligion.
Generals Sheridan, Pleasanton, Custar,
Davis, Tcrbet and other cavalry leaders are