The New York herald., 1870-08-20
M 0 R M 0 N I S M /.
The Debate on the Question of
Polygamy.
Further Correspondence The Proposed
Articles of Agreement.
A Second Proposition by the Mormons It's Ac-
ceptance-0rson Pratt and Dr. Newman
to Discuss the Question

SALT LAKE CITY, August IL 1870
The proposed debate between Professor Orson
Pratt and the Rev. DIR. Newman the subject OF
poygamy Is still the absorbing topic or conversation
In this city. DR.. Newman has been here a week to-
day, and ever since the morning after the evening OF
his arrival has been eDdeavoring TO accomplish the
object of his visit, which was TO have a discussion
with Brigham Young or any other polygamic cham
pion on the question, Does the Bible Sanction Poly
gamyf" From the first IL has been apparent, and
the Idea has been steadily gaining ground among
the people. that Brigham has been AFRAID to meet
either IN person or by proxy the great champion OF
monogamy II is proyerbial tnat Brigham assumes
virtue II he have II notn and the correspondence
shows TO those who know him that his professions
OF frankness and fairness are sophisu AL and that
he has been writing letters against time. hoping
to worry DR.. Newman out, aud thus prevent a
discussion But he begins TO end that he Is dealing
with man who win not be diverted rom his pur-
pose II there is any way OF accomplishing that pur-
pose. Dr. Newman Is prepared to meet ali the
intellect OF Mormondom In free ana full discussion
of the question, and ell Mormondom begins to see
IT, 1t has been amusing TO observe the way the
'presidlng priesthood have been endeavoring To
wiggle out OF the perplexing position in which they
have been placed, and at the same time to throw the
responsibility on DR.. Newman. After DR.. Newman
had challenged Professor Orson Pratt, and while
the representatives OF both parties endeavorng
TO arrange the terms upon which the debate should
be conducted, Brigham Young sent the following
patronizing letter 10 DR.. Newman
YOUNG TO NEWMAN.
SALT LAKE CITY, Z. T., August 10. 1870.
Rev. DR.. J. y. NEWMAN
SIR am Informed by Messrs. Darlington and
Young that at their meeting last evening with Drs.
Sunderland ana Taggart they were unable to come
10 decision With regard TO the wording OF the sub
1ect OF debate. Bearing In mind the following
Iacts:-FiTsty, That you are the challenging party.
Secondly, That In a sermon delivered by you III the
city OF Wash ingtoD, before President Grant and his
Cabinet members OF Congress and many other
Gods law condemns the union In marriage or more
than two persons, 1t certainly seems strange that
your representatives should persistently refuse to
have any other question discussed than the ono
"D0eS the Bible Sanction PoIygamyY IL appears
10 the representatives OF Mr. Pratt that II Or. New
man could undertake TO prove IN Washington That
Goods law condemns the union In marriage Of more
than two persons" he ought not TO refuse to make
the same affirmation in Salt Lake City. Mr.. Pratt
! discover, entertans the same opinion, but rather
than permit the discussion fall, he Will not press
for your original proposition but win accept the
question as you now state II. "Does the Bible Sane
ton Polygamyr' sincerely trust that none Of the
gentlemen forming the committee Will cucumber the
discussion with unnecessary regulations, which Will
be lrksOme to botn parties and unprOductve OF good
and that no obstacles Will be thrown In the way VI
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
Dr. Newman having closed his correspondence
with Brigham Young concerning the discussion, did
not send any answer To the above communication.
Drs. Sunderland and Taggart, Dr. Newman's re-
representatives., made verbal report to him late on
Wednesday evening OF the negotiations they had
had with those OF Mr.. Pratt and the failure Of
Messrs Darlington and Young TO sign the articles Il
| which they had previously agreed. Yesterday the
Doctor addressed the following note 10 his represen
| tatives:-
NEWMAN TO SUNDERLAND AND TAGGARr
SALT LAKE CRY, August III, 1870.
Messrs. SUNDERLAND and TAGGARr:-
GEkTLEMEN-Will you do me the favor to commit
10 wiring your verbal report 10 me last evening OF
the negotiations held by you with Messrs. CARING
ton and Young. with the result Of the same and
oDnge your itlend, J. y. NEWMAN.
In response to the Doctors request Drs. Sunde r.
land and Taggart made the following
REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
SALT LAKE CITY, August IL, 1870.
To Rev. J. p. NEWMAN
DEAR S1H-We, the Undersigned. In reply TO your
note OF this date. have the pleasure Go Inform you
as we did IN our verbal report Of last evening that
the following IL substantially what occurred In our
negotiations with Messrs Darlington and Joseph W.
Young respecting the proposed discussion between
Professor Orson Pratt and yourself. In pursuance
or our appointment 10 conduct the matter on your
part we were present az the time and place desig-
mated, where we met Messrs CarrIngton and Young
the part OF Professor Pratt. In order to expedite
the business we had prepared memoranda on sue Il
points as appeared TO US TO be pertinent IN The
premises. These were vari0usly discussed during
a session Of two hours, when coming TO no concu
sion, We adjourned TO meet the next day at ten
O'Clock. At that hour we met and continued In
sion Tor two hours longer then adjOurnng to meet
at TWO O'Clock, at which hour we met FOR the tnird
time, holding session which lasted till about half
past five O'Clock. During al these hours we labored
earnestly to secure conditions as nearly equal to
both parties as the nature OF the case wOun
permit We frequently submitted modi-
ncauons or our original propositions and
sunered some OF them TO be abandoned
altogether. At last 1t appeared that we were
approaching agreement on almost every necessary
A
the manner OF the division Of the time
to be respectively occupied by the dispu.
tants, with the consequent advantage or disadyan-
tage TO each OF them. This was matter Of much
Perpexity on both sides. We on our part, modi-
hed our original proposition III various ways,
changing first from three hours to two and then
from TWO TO and endeavoring In the most frank
and open manner to seek as fair division Of the
advantages 10 each dtsputant as the case would per-
init. AT last IL was suggested by Messrs. Darlington
and Young, the friends OF Professor Pratt, that
there should be six evening sessions, on as many
successive days. fn the Old Tabernacle the sfirma.
tive to speak one hour the lrst, third ana nfth
nings, and the negative the same time on the sec
Ond, fourth md sixth evenings This proposition
was unwelcomc 10 us for the reason, among Others
that it would necessarily 80 much protract your
lege OF consulting you upon that point before we
would give our tnal assent. Ga being first 8p
ne reecan w y ou veged Ss 9u. on f
'Brng the discussion II possible within the limits
OF four days; but the other parties VIII not DO this
then take their utimatum." Acting on this advice,
we speedily reached 0 conclusion by assentlnR TO
their proposition. After which, upon the suggestion
Of Mr.. Young, the length Of each session was
tended 10 one and hall hour instead Of one hour,
as at first proposed. All being then unanimously
agreed upon. It only remained 10 have two perfect
copies OF the stipulations made and signed In full
one Tor each disputant pending which the confer
ence adjourned TO meet at the same place ut seven
O'Clock p NJ, when IL was agreed that the articles
for debate should De signed and delivered. In pur.
suance Of this agreement the undersigned were pre-
sent at the hour designated ana ON ascertaining
that the documents were correct ali the points
mutually agreed upOn they promptly signed them
Mr.. Carrugton alone OF the other party was pre-
sent, and did not sign the paper, as hs colleague
half hour. Mr.. Young not then appearing we
took recess for on hour. During this time Mr..
Young appeared. The articles were read In the pre-
sence OF each gentleman, and oil agreed that they
were correct. But instead Of proceeding to Sign
them Mr.. Young then produced paper which he
SAID we mlghb regard az Professor Pratt's ultima
tum; but as we considered on our part that we had
already discussed and disposed Of It's subject matter
after q brlef consultation as to our duty as your