Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
TIFF RTTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1871.
The Downfall of PoIyGmmy.

The whole country il gratified at the
Intelligence that Judge Mexican has
taken q decided stand in reference to
polyg4my, which has resulted in the in-
stitution of criminal proceedings against
Brigham Young The history of the pro-
cssdings are briefly told. On the 18th of
September the grand jury for the third
di.trict of Utah were impanneled, and all
o9lygamists were excused therefrom,
which brought forth bitter malediction
on the United States officers. The charge
Of Judge Mexican was aiHaa with a
direct blow at the institution as ~}ll be
seen from the following extract:
You are summoned, not to try criminal cases
but 70 say what criminal cases shall be presented
fr trial In the discharge Of this duty you viii
be governed by the same principles Of law which
g,y.ra Grand Juries in Maine and Montana, in
Georgia and Arizona, principles OF law every
where applicable throughout the Republic The
crimes. OF murder, arson, larceny, blgamy, adul-
t-rv. and riot IN Utah are the same crimes else
yhece throughout Christendom. If there is any
thing peculiar in the situation in Utah it is the
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, amenable TO the laws OF
the United States Those who obey the laws
must be-shall be-protccted in their rights.
Those who do rot must answer at the bar OF JUS
tice and those men of irfiuence who, in practice,
def4ntIy trample upon the laws them~elves, and
by preceps teach others to do So should be the
first to feel the firm grip Of the law, rather than
the obscure men whom they have misled. Cen
temen, it Is your duty and mine to enforce the
laws. l ct us do so without fear, favor, affection
prelude ce, or the hope of reward.
The subject was presented to the grand
Jury which resulted in the indictment OF
Brigham Young and the leading Mormons
for offences against morality and decency
under the statutes of Utah. The United
States Marshal arrested Brigham Young
but owing to the illness of the prisoner
hs WAS allowed to remain at his house in
charge of deputy Marshal, and WAS ar
r.igned before Judge McKean the follow
ing day.
It will be seen that Mr.. Young is to be
prosecuted under the laws for ard by the
M,rmon legi-lature and not under the
laws of Congress-. This leaves the matter
in form that he and his people can take
no exception TO the course pursued
although there il great excitement, There
il no chance for any trouble unless the
Mormon leaders incite or begin it. 1he
neodful steps have been taken to see that
tn, courts are sustained and the laws vim
dicated. and in case OF manifest opPo
sition of the Church authorities ample re
inforcement4 ofs troops will be prepared
for any emergency. The officials are
united and are thoroughly sustained by
the Gentle community.
The whole country welcomes with sat
isfaction the news of the indictment and
arrest of Brigham Young, This brings
the Mormon difficulty to crisis, aud
nothing il left to be done but to await
his utter demolition in the courts and the
immediate downfall Of the last relic OF
barblriam in this free country. 1t was
high time. This man Young hgs set the
laws of the United States at defiance for
years. He has made himself an autocratic
head in a territory of the Republic. Rul-
ing his fanatical followers by means OF
their belief in his sacred character and
mission, he has ruled all other citiz7cs OF
the territory by terror and violence lie
has outraged the public morals, brow
beaten and bribed the federal officials
The time had come when it YVES absolute
ly necessary that he and his institution
Of polygamy should be abated as an un
mitigated nuisance, and the cff)ers of the
government had no choice but to take the
question in hand. 1t is evident that they
intend to make thorough work of it, anc
that they have the ability to carry ou
their intentions. Forcible resistance may
be attempted but not probable, and Jndg'
Mexican has in all probability struck th'
death knell of polygamy on this cont
nent.