Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-24
MORMON NATURALIZATION

ploygamy hard road TO traVei. II
joys must be great to compensate for al
its annoyances. Twenty wives might DC
an anodyne for the trouble OF each indl,
vidual Saint" but no less number would
answer we verify believe. The pilgrim
age to Salt Lake was severe task, but
the effort TO OUTAGE the contempt OF the
Christian world for Mormonism, and con-
tend for supremacy with the United States
Government is job to which even the au-
dacity of Brigham Young is not equal.
The last difficulty which they have en-
countered is the decision of Chief Justice
Mexican of the United States Court iol
the Third District of Utah, on the applica-
ton of John c. Sanberg, a Swede, and
William Horsley, an Englishman, Tor
naturalization. Sanberg upon being
questioned answered that he believed ii
in accordance with the laws of God for
man to have more than one wife at the
same time, and if the laws OF the country
forbade it, he regarded it as his duty to
obey the laws of God rather than those OF
men. Horsley refused to answer, but his
refusal was considered equivalent to an
agreement with Sanberg's opinions. The
Judge then stated the legal requirements
as to naturalization, among which is the
necessity on the part of the applicant OF
satisfying the Court of his good moral
character, and declaring on oath his ale
glance to the Constitution of the United
States and his remuneration of all ALE
glance to any other prince, potentate OF
sovereignty whatever. An oath to support
the Constitution is also an oath to support
the laws of the United States made in pur-
suance thereof, and here comes the diff
Guilty with naturalizing Mormons. Con-
gress passed an act, approved July l,
1862, entitled can act to punish and pre-
vent the practice of polygamy in the
Territories of the United States and other
places" &c. In the first section of this
act is this provision: THAT every person
having husband or wife living, who
shall marry any other person, whether
married or single, in Territory of the
United States, OF other place over which
the United States have exclusive jurisdlc-
ton SHALL" &c., "be adjudged guilty OF
bigamy, and, upon conviction thereof,
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
five hundred dollars, and by imprisonment
for term not exceeding five years.
Now, says the Judge, sit would be ;
solemn mockery to administer the fina
oath of naturalization" to an alien witt
objects to some provisions of the Consti
tuition, or will not renounce his allegiance
to his native country or other sovereignty
or refuses to answer in regard to these
things when questioned. 80 applicant
for naturalization" continues Judge Nc
Kean, tasks for favor, asks for the higl
privilege of Am .rican citizenship, and he
must show to the satisfaction of the
court that he is worthy of it. More than 8
witness in a litigated case. more than &
party in libel or criminal case, should he
expect and be expected to answer ques
tons This court needs not TO be in
formed that many other courts have beer
very negligent, criminally negligent, in
this matter. The practice of such courts
can form no precedent for this. There
are some things of which courts are
bound to take judicial notice; and this
court takes notice of the fact that it is in
session at Salt Lake City, and in the Ter
ritory of Utah; and that here there are
many men who defantly trample upon
the act of Congress against polygamy,
and call their conduct liberty. Surround
ed by such influences, guided by such
leaders, aliens come into this court aud
ask for the high privilege of citizenship
Well, what are their ideas of American civ
ilization? What do they believe to be the
rights and duties of an American citizen
Before they take the oath of citizenship
let the court be satisfied that they under
stand its full meaning, and recognize its
solemn obligations. Let the court 'bt
satisfied whether they believe the SUI
preme law of the land to be the Constitu
ton, the laws of Congress, and the trea
ties of the United States, or whether they
believe it to be the revelations of some
polygamic prophet. Let the court 'b'
satisfied what pretended laws of God they
mean to obey, and what positive laws o
man they mean to defy. In this countr.
man may adopt any religion that hi
pleases, or reject all religionsif he pleases
But no man must violate our laws ant
plead religion as an excuse; ant
no alien should be made citizen wht
will not promise to obey the laws. lie
nations and aliens distinctly understand
that in this country license is not liberty
and crime is not religion. Sandbere
satisfied the court that he is not, and
Horsely failed to satisfy the court that
he is "a man of good moral character, at
tached to the Constitution of the United
States, and well disposed to the good or
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