The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-03-11
THE yExED QUESTION.

Congress has again been tinkering
with the Mormon question, but the leg
islation will probably be as barren of
beneficial results as heretofore. A little
furry of legislation in Congress, and a
little display of cheap glory on the part
of some champion of the anti-polygamy
party, has generally begotten an increase
of contempt and impudence. on the part
of Brigham and his followers. That's
all there has been accomplished on this
question for years. The Mormon ques-
ton promises to be, if it is not already,
"our sick man." and it win take very
skillful and very determined treatment
to cure him. 1t promises to swallow
up the excitement about finances, suf-
frage, tariff, etc. 1t has been smothered
for years, but like Banquo's ghost, it will
not down. 1t has been question,
heretofore, that Congress has disliked to
handle, for the reason that it was relig-
ious (so-called) rather than political.
When the Mormons were but few, ana
feeble, and poor, they emigrated to the
isolated wilderness and Businesses of
Utah, where they have practically gov
erned themselves. The Federal Gov
eminent has merely exercised nominal
authority over the Latter Day Saints.
Uncle Sam has been but the shadow of
power-Brigham Young and his apos-
Ties have been the substance and exer-
cised regal authority. Legislators hated
to lay violent hands upon the relic Of
barbarism, polygamy, for fear of the cry
of persecution. They have hoped this
strange people would become divided
among themselves and fall to pieces by
their religious dissensions. This re-
source falling, they calculated that the
completion of the Pacific railroad, the
influx of Gentle population, and dis
memberment of territory, would work
their decentralization. But all these ex-
pectations have proved, or are proving,
fallacious, The Mormons are increasing
rapidly in numbers and influence. Theil
missionaries are expounding the book O
Mormon, and making proselytes to theii
faith under the shadow of the NatiOna
Capitol, in New York, in every State o.
the Union, in Europe, and In the islands
of the Pacific. No people have mani
tested more zeal, or submitted to great
, err sacrifices in propagating their creed
than the Utah Saints. A generation ha
suficed to produce from the supersti
tions of Mormonism 100000 zealOts
. most of whom are concentrated in Utah
What gives them such strength Is
! strange mingling of the sterner virtue
with their vices, and the latter are al
g most wholly the offspring of the plural
I ity wife system. For Congress to pas
discriminating laws bearing against TIN
marital policy of the Saints is not iikel.
!, to prevent the spread of their doctrines
: Surrounding them with gentiles, es
4 pecially such class as has built tn
G Union Pacific railroad, will only add t
t their vices, and render them less valu
able as citizens, and more dangerous t
G the general welfare. a-
i We confess we do not know how t
: prescribe for this "sick man" but tn
o tinkering way of Congress is only max
IS ing the matter worse. Something de
e cisiye should be done to abolish pOlys
amy, or else we had better announce
a. the world that we are not able TO pre-
+. vent its practice in one of our Wester
e territories. Congress may cover til
II sore over with compromises, from yea
!. to year, as it did the slavery question
IS but it will spread and break out in me-
re places. -Il..