Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-01-29
UTAH.
Governor Woods on the Attempt to Make
Utah a state.

SALT LAKE, January Ex-Governor
Woods returned to the legislative as
esmblyihesct to prepare constitution
for the admission of Utah without
his approval. He suggests that the
organic act of Utah eontemplates on
~ such matters as relate to the do
mestic concerns of the territory, and
no power is therein given to abolish
one form of government and adopt
another. The power that created
alone can destroy without spe-
cial authority from congress and the
territorial legislature has no
right to act upon the subject OF
admission. Further, Utah having less
than the required population under
the appOrtionment to one representa-
tive in congress, be thinks it would be
well to await the pleasure OF the gen
ersl government.
The governor In conclusion, Saysi
To become q State in the Union is
not a right, but a privilege; good
Judgment would, therefore, require
that before any convention should be
called Utah should place herself in
harmonious relations with the general
government. The first and highest
duty of the citizen is obedience 70 the
law; all violations of the law Of con-
gress should cease, polygamy should be
abandoned, and laws should beenaeted
by you in accord with the laws OF Con-
gress upon that subject, Until it Is
done, the people Of Utah cannot ex-
pect, nor should they ask, admission
as a State. Religious tOleration in
the United States Is as broad as the
wand OF humanity, but the govern
ment cannot tolerate church dogmas
which set at naught its statutes. 1t is
to be regretted that a difference OF
opinion should arise In matters Of
legislation between The legislature
and the executive departments, but 1t
is my duty to interpret the law as l
understand ii, and such shall be my
course of action
The governors veto message to the
house created much excitement, and
the members expressed themselves
with bitter invective.
Taylor, one of the apostles, eXclaim-
ed: "Are we n0Re1titieSg Are we
serfsS Have we rendered ourselves
criminal by putting the power into
the hands Of the people to ask for ad-
mission into the Union? This mes
sage" said he, "I consider an open
insult to us. 1t is worn thread
bare, and has become a stencil
in the nOstrils of all Tespecta-
BILE people. What laws have we
violated, and il we have violated
any, why are we not punished for 1t?
Even murderers are brought to
testify against US and every means
USED to prove US guilty Of pOlygamy.
Il contrary TO the constitution or laws
nt the United States why don't the
Federal Judges prosecute us under
the United States laws. Is this house
to be insulted by such charges as are
in the document from the
governor. / say no. l throw it back
in his face and tell him it Is a ia Sc
hood. rCries Of heaTi hearl We
are American citizens and demand
the rights of such"
James w. Young did not care 8
snap for the veto and asked no odds
of the governor or any other man
lockwood said they had been ab
used long enough, aud he would glad
ly die q martyr in the Mormon cause. |
Ifthere Is any blood of the forefathers
of seventy-siX here, they would at
once r7seDt the insults.
Ga motion of J. w. Young, a COM
mittee Of three co confer with simi-
lar committee from the council was
appointed TO draft a ilint resolution
for the purpose named In the vetoed |
act. Same committee we're instructed |
IN dpaff resolutions qKDF RaiVp Of the
sense of the house In regard to the
offensive charges in the governors
veto message.