Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-04
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AUG STA.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. Oct. 4, 1871.
POLYGANY ON TRIAL.

POLTGAMY ON TRIAL.
The tue of war between the institution
of polygamy and the laws of the Unitet
States appears to be at hand. Brigham
Young has been arrested and will be tried
The opinion of Chief Justice Mexican,
given in relation to the challenging OF two
Mormon elders as grand jurors, they hav-
ing testified that polygamy is one of the
fundamental doctrines of the Church OF
which they are members. that they believe
that polygamy is a revelation from God to
that Church, and that they do not believe
that man living in polygamy is guilty OF
adu|etrv. is important and is as follows:
"The sophism by which polygamy is sought
to be justified, as being in harmony with
American civilization, is that polygamy is a
religious practice; that religious federation is
one of the fundamental principles of Ameri-
can institutions and of the Federal Constitu-
tion. and that, therefore, polygamy is pro-
toc,ed nv the Constitution, and all laws enact
ed against it are unconstitutional. If the
mass of the American people were barbarians
of if the patriarchal or the tribal system OF
government prevailed among them 1t is need
less to say that our Constitution and institu-
tons could not exist. 1t is not a little humill-
ating that it should seem to be necessary to
add that our Constitution and institutions 90
not require, nay do not permit the toieration
of any practice which wages war against the
existance of civilization. There nave Deen
religions which have required the offering up
of human sacrifices to the sun, and the cast
ing of infant children to the crocodiles of the
r. De &c oh daa1s done
this country, is there in all the land one man
so dishonest that he would attempt to justify
them by the plea of religious liberation! But
WHY waste time in discussing such PROPOSE
ton as that involved in this case? When the
burglar is fit Juror to inquire into the crime
of burglary; when the robber is tit juror to
INQUIRE into the crime of larceny; when the
assassin is a fit juror to inquire into the crime
of murder, then the bigamist, VINO swears in
substance that crimes are his religion, may be
a fit juror to inquire into the crimes of bigamy
and adultery. But thanks to centuries OF Chris
tan civilization, that time is not now and,
judging from the steady progress Of the hui
man race, that time will never come. The
challenge is sustained and the three Jurors
named are rejected"
A despatch in the Herald gives additional
information:
General Maxwell on behalf of the people,
called yesterday and to-day the case of Haw-
kins, polygamist, indicted by the Grand
Jury under the toral Statutes for adultery
The attorneys for the defence were not ready
to plead. Chief Justice Mexican set the tint
for pleading on Monday next. 1t is common
ly reported that Brigham Young has been In
dicted on several charges, and it is also sal
that he is likely to be tried the coming weel
on one of the indictments.
The sale of muskets and ammunition con
tinues, and it is reported that more arms thai
those bought at the recent government auction
sale at Camp Douglas have been disposed OF.
The feeling of the Mormon people, as re-
f1ected by the church organs, the News and
Herald is Enthusiastically rebellious and war
like The News, the official organ for Brig
ham Young, is extremely bitter and offensive.
1t advocates open resistance to the laws, libels
United States officials, and endeavors in every
way to incite the people to open rebellion.
Under these influences many persons are
sending off their wives and children to points
where there there will be no danger.
do not regard the situation as full of dam
ger, but ii is certainly critical unless the
Mormons are playing off game of bluff. The
Church organs are doing everything in their
power to fire the Mormon heart, and the re-
suit cannot but be disastrous if the fanatical
element is once aroused and fully loosed.
1t is understood that reinforcements of reg
ular troops have been asked for, and Camp
Douglas is likely to hold large garrison. AS
precautionary step the reinforcement of the
little garrison here is essential. Without
them the laws cannot be enforced unless the
Church authorities change their programme.
A large number of indictments for the most
serious crimes were found by the Grand jury
of Judpe Hawley's Court in Beaver The
leaders of the Church were indicted, but the
writ Of the Court is threatened with resistance.
THE PENIS VI TANL4 ELECTION.
The State election in Pennsylvania takes