National Republican., 1873-05-29
spEaKBR BLAINE AND TIE MoRMoNs.

Mr.. Speaker Blaine Illustrates IN MS pri-
yutc and public character the ideal Of Amer
lean intellectual activity. His mind Is ever
unclouded and his quickncss Of perception
and argument, always tempered by consid-
cDItc regard for the possibilities or unccr-
taintios Of the future, have earned for him q
reputation rs an astuto statesman which few
men Of his age have reached In this country.
Ills recent interview with Brigham Young,
the Mormon leader, although subjected to
misrepresentation at first, now comes to us In
a Trustworthy shape to prove that he has lost
none Of his characteristic prudence or shrewd
foresight. The spcclous argument by Young
that interference by Congress in the affairs
Utah would be breach Of faith, and that
the Mormous arc entitled under the organic
act Of the Territory to the enjoyment Of their
religious belief embraced the strongest oiut
that can bo advanced In support Of the
polygamic claims. Mr.. BlaInes reply. how
ever, completely answered Il, and struck the
keynote for the overthrow OF the Mormon
prctensions. lie simply reminded Young
Of tho fact that the Presidential contest
Of 1860 was fought on the direct Issue
OF the right Of Congress to control the do
nestle affairs Of the Territories, and supple
mentod this remark by forclble allusion to
the further fact that Congress had gone so
far as to abolish the relations existing between
master and slave. This drove Young to the
declaration that the admission Of Utah as a
State is the only method left by which his
people can secure to themselves the undls-
turbed exercise Of thelr so-callcd religious
privileges. To this logic Mr.. Blaine replied,
saying that the admission could never bo ac-
Complished through Congress pledged In
opposition to polygamy. lie admitted the
existence Of requisite population, resources,
aud wealth to assume the rights and privi-
legcs Of State, and explained that the i'm
morality which prevails In other sections Of
the country is clandestlne, and Is admitted to
bo wrong by those who indulge In 1t, while In
Utah similar practices are sustained openly
and publicly by law and the precepts Of the
Mormon Church. Cornercd at last, Young
had resort TO Boss Tweed's memorable couun-
drum, "Well, what arc you going to do
about IT." Dlsclaiming any desire or
design to persecute the Mormons, Mr..
Blaine replied, intimating that Congress
would soon enact such legislation as will Of
feet the greatest general good. Throughout
his entire sojourn In MOrmondom Mr.. Blaine
preserved a quiet, firm and dignlhed opposl-
ton to the dlsgraccful instlt utiou Of pOlyg-
amy. lie did not look at 1t or examine into
Il as novelty or big show, but treated II as
a statesman should In the investigation Of q
subject which involves the dearest sympathies
Of the human heart as well as the reputation
Of his country. At the end he paid his own
hotel bills, and took up his departure, leaving
behind him In the minds Of the Mormons u
more dehnitive idea than they have ever had
before Of the determination Of Congress and
the Government TO grasp the vcxed question
Of their institution with q firm desire to wipe
II out Of existence. Ills visit will be produc
tive Of great good, not only on account Of the
lesson which the Mormons have learned from
Il, but because 1t will enlist anew the atten
tion Of the people at large TO the difficulties
OF the solution Of this great problem. Wher
the Pacific railroads were first completed
public interest was aroused by th,
descriptions Of MOrmOndom then printed
but with the exception Of rpasmodic effort
In Congress and the execution through tn
courts Of the ayowed policy Of the Admins
tratlon, no earnest results towards the dc
sired end have been accomplished. 1t onl
required some additional incentive, such a
We now find In the utteranco Of Mr.. Blaine
one Of the coming men" Of the country,
Insure tho prompt action which he has propl
esicd. The Presidents views on the subjel
are wcu known, and II will no. be his fau
II the prophecy is not fulfilled.