National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-25
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

A law of the United States makes the
practice Of polygamy crime in all the
Territories. 1t is a felony punishable by
Imprisonment in the penitentiary. 1t is
charged, upon credible, Irrefragible testi-
mony that a Delegate in Congress is
guilty of this crime. There are numerous
witnesses here who are able TO prove this
crime against him. The Delegate does not
himself pretend to deny it. At home it is
his boast and his pride. 1t is a prominent
doctrine of the religion of his sect, and Of
which he is an ardent and influential
apostle and exemplar.
The question before the Committee on
Elections of the House nowsis not whether
1t shall expel member on account of the
tenets of his religion. This it has clearly
no right to do. But it has right to de-
termine whether it will sit in the House
with member who defiantly and proudly
confesses that he is not only polygamist,
living in open defiance of the law of Con-
gress prohibiting it, but also that he was
sent here by the head of the Mormon
Church, purposely to enforce from the
Congress of the United States the recogni-
ton of polygamy as Mormon right. 1t
was the boast in Salt Lake City Of leading
Mormons that this cunning device of Brig
ham Young would commit Congress to the
legality Of polygamy. and guarantee the
repeal of the penal statute concerning it.
If Congress shall pass Judge Poland
bill, and expel Mr.. Cannon, the indict-
ment and conviction of the latter will speed
lily follow, and the Mormons be made
to understand that their bestial and lech-
erous practices in the name of religion shall
cease. Upon the subject of the investiga-
ton into the truth of the allegations that
Cannon is a practical poly gamist, the Salt
Lake City Tribune discourses in this man.
ner: at would appear to be high time that
this were done. Butin all conscience we
would like to know the necessity of this
inquest. Does Cannon deny that he is q
"polygamistf Does he not rather boast of
'ft and. justify the system publiclyf He
certainly does SO in Salt Lake City. Has
che gone back on himself in Washington z
"The writer hereof had the felicity of
meeting this apostle of concubinage and
adultery, in the summer of 1869, at Salt
Cake City. We called at his Office, were
introduced and listened to a eulogy upon
'the divine ordinance of polygamy, its ben
''efits morally, socially and physically, I'M
It'll in sheer amazement and disgust we
'took our leoae. George Q. Cannon then
openly boosted that he was polygamist;
THAT he was living with several women,
leach of whom he called his wife. Does
che do SO to-day. or does he deny his bes-
''tial, soul-degrading practicesf If the
former be true what is the use of COM
''mittee to decide the quetsionf If the lat
'ter be his claim let the investigation be
had and that speedily. This man who
NOW holds a seat In Congress, on equal
'terms with the Delegates from Colorado,
':Arizona and other Territories of this
"Union, is guilty of what in any other
civilized country on the globe would send
chin to a dungeon. He is guilty Of that
(Which in every other State and Territory
"of this nation is esteemed O damning
'fcrime, and for the commission of which
''scores OF both men and women are yearly
''sent to prison. And yet this lecherous
apostle of monstrous relic of barbarous
'custom which to-day only obtains among
''half civilized and barbarous nations, is
admitted to the councils of the most pro-
"gressive and enlightened nation on the
globe. Is it not damning blot upon the
fair fame of this country disgrace most
'foul; stencil in the nostrils of civilized
"people?"