Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-06-24
Execution of Laws in Utah.

Execution of Laws in Utah.
Extracts from Hon. III. A. Cragin,s Speecl
in the United States Senate
May Is, 1870.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The record of the
republican party is already glorious and
immortal, but its mission is not yet com
pleted. AT its first national convention
in 1856 the following resolution was
adopted as part of its platform of prin
ciples:
ResoLeed, That the Constitution con-
fers upon Congress sovereign power ovei
the Territories of the United States for
their government and that in the exer.
else of this power it is both the right and
the duty of Congress to prohibit in the
Territories those twin relics of barbarism
polygamy and slavery"
Since that time slavery, one of "those
twin relics of barbarism," has not only
been prohibited in the Territories, but
has been abolished in the States and
four million bondmen now stand up
clothed and digniied with the rights of
American citizens. This barbarism was
deep rooted and firmly bound, and it re-
quired the iron grasp of war to tear it
from the soil.
Ten years ago We only claimed the
right to prohibit slavery in the Terri
tories and confine it where it then exist
ed, hoping that the irresistible power of
public opinion, united to loftier moral
principle, would peaceably overcome the
demands of avariee and brutality, and
finally extirpate the evil by checking S
growth. But slavery became more ar
rogant and aggressive in its demands. =
1t claimed that property in man was
guaranteed by the Constitution, and that
the policy of the fathers in prohibiting
its extension was unconstitutional and
wrong. 1t asserted itself to be nation
al institution, and the cornerstone of the
Republic. 1t was, as is we'll known, the
source of the most unscrupulous political
power at one time in the country, and
urifying the interests of its adherents in
all sections, fashioned and controlled the
policy of the Democratic party irrespec-
tive of all minor issues. At its bidding
democracy everywhere fell into line and
hurried to execute its commands. No
master was ever more implicitly obeyed,
no law-giver more jealously enthroned
behind constitutional bulwarks. At last
when it saw the sceptre about to fall
from its grasp in the election of the i'm
mortal Lincoln, in its mad and wicked
ambition it determined to destroy the
Union and erect a slave-holding aristoc-
racy upon its ruins. To accomplish this
it raised the standard of rebellion and
plunged the nation into civil war, and
for four years put forth its utmost exer-
tons to overthrow this noble and hui
name Government. 1t thereby forfeited
It's legal right to live Gor it never had
moral one,) and the loyal people resolv-
ID that it must die. In the bloody and
desperate struggle it received its death
wound and died like traitor, as it was. |
Thus, at last, has it expiated its treason
with its life, and the wrong against hu-
nanity which it maintained has been |
wiped out. Every humane and loyal |
ieart should thank God that this guilty |
monster has perished from our land.-
Nay all its degrading influences and !
'vil passions soon follow it to the grave,
md in their stead may naught be seen
,ut brotherly love and unity, culminat-
ng in national peace and enduring pros.
,erity.
Polygamy, the other "twin relic of
still remains, and even open
y denounces the government and defes
is power. In 1862 Congress passed
aw prohibiting polygamy in the Terrific
les, and making it a crime; but the law
5 dead letter, because the courts of
Jtah have no power to enforce it. The
ill now under consideration is supple
nentary to that law, and affords the
means for its execution, and if both can
e enforced polygamy and other crimes
n Utah must perish. 1t is shocking to
hink that this infamous and degrading
arbarism is practiced in an enlightened
nd Christian country, and although in
ut one of its Territories, yet to an ex-
ent hardly creditable, while, moreshame-
III still, its guilty advocates publicly