The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-10-05

lions in the territorial law. Tie authorities
have, therefore, shown their good common
sense in deciding to take the territorial law,
and work with that against the saints"
The manner in which many Mormons have
been made powerless to fight in the Courts is
somewhat ingenious. A prominent elder or
noted Saint is summoned to serve as Grand
Juror. lie comes promptly, although, say
some writers, he claims that he is not obliged to
under territorial law. Once arrived, he is ask
ed if he is citizen of the United States, a mem
Der of the Mormon church, whether polygamy
is one of the fundamental doctrines of that
church, to all Of which he is naturally obliged
to give an affirmative answer. He is then asked
if he considers revelation Gas the Mormons
understand it) superior to the law, and if he
does not commit himself on this point, the final
question is, " Do you believe that man, in
marrying more than one wife, commits adul-
terry? OF course he IS compelled to say that he
does not. and the moment he makes this con-
tession he is challenged, excused, and goes
home growing because he cannot serve.
What bills the Grand Jury will report is as
yet unknown; but the judges charge contain ed
these significant words ''If there is anything
peculiar in the situation in Utah. it is the pecu-
liar conduct of some men here, and not any
peculiar principles or policy that are TO be EN-
forced here. Utah belongs to the United States,
and the people of Utah, like the people Of the
rest OF the country, are amenable to the laws of
the United States"
Now as much as Mormonism and its
practice are to be condemned, as revolt
ing as polygamy must be to every right
minded man, and as nti-Christian as
every person must believe it to be, the
wisdom Of the course indicated in this ex-
tract will be very seriously questioned
1t is sound craftsmanship that an evil
should not be assaied at the cost Of a
greater one. Whatever the Mormon COM
munity may have been, it is conceded
that the people and their rulers are now
industrious and peaceably disposed. The
system of plurality of wives, with its con
sequent numerous offspring to each head
of 4 family, has existed for many years,
and is now so interviewer with the social
system that no separation is possible eX-
cept at the price of evils greater than
would result from it continuance by those
who have already adopted it. A law APP
plying to future plural marriages might be
sanitary. But prosecution which sweeps
into the catalogue of criminals the people
of a whole community for practice which
both their religion and laws sanction, and
which declares illegitimatc the offspring Of
men and women who have lived together
for scores Of years in fancied legality, can
not be wise. Those measures are best
either in the moral, social or political
world, which work without violent shocks
to the community-whichb by firm and con
tnued pressure. always in the right direc-
ton. persuade rather than force men from
the wrong TO the right. Especially is this
true in cases where the seat Of authority
remote rs is Washington from Utah, seek:
to effect Il change so complete, and one
taking hold Of the closest family tics, rs
does the enforcement of the anti-polygamy
laws in the territories.
1t is believed by those who are entitled
to speak from close observation of The
state of society in Utah, that the system
of polygamy will in Il brief time yield t.
surrounding causes that tend to It's aholi
ton. The influx OF new settlers of til,
Gentle persuasion, the influence of The
example of the one-wifed families an,
their superior happiness, the growth OF
Christian churches, and the general turn
inc in of the elements of the busy, bust
ling outer wordsworth in time give the
death-blow to the peculiar institution
But if it be the policy of the admins
trltion at Washington to continue wal
by the Courts of the United States, in the
manner indicated, backed by the army
then we fear that war and bloodshed must
ensue. There are already grieyious NUT
terings Of Il coming conflict. And once
begun ii may involve in its consequences
Individuals and communities who now lit
Tie dream of coming woe. Possibly by
the time the conflict shall close, the all-
thorities at Washington may learn that
persecution, fire and the sword are not the
best instruments for promoting reform
and advancing civilizations