The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-04-05
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1877
A nnmher of onr cnn tcmnnrnrlns cN.


press the belief that the horrible dis
closures contained in the confession oi
John ID. Lee should lead to the speedy
prosecution of all the prominent Nor
nous who were implicated III the
Mountain Meadows massacre. 1t is
now evident that the gigantic crime
was natural outgrowth of the pccu-
liar organization Brigham Young had
established in Utah, and of the pcrils
by which it had become envircncd in
1857 on account of the rebellious and
hostile attitude the Mormon authori-
tics had assumed towards the United
States. All American citizens were
regarded rs enemies of the little
empire the chiefs of monstrcus im-
posture had undertaken to establish
within our territorial dominions, and
our army was then on the outskirts of
Utah for the purpose of compelling its
inhabitants to recognize the fact that |
at least a semblance of allegiance was
due to our National Government and |
its agents and officers, notwithstand- |
ment of political authority by Brigham
Young and his favored associates. No
State or Territorial Governor ever
commanded tithe of the obedience
which the high priest of Mormonism
exacted from all his followers. He
controlled them as the Southern
planter controlled his slav cs. and rs
sumed the right to give them the lands
of the nation, to bestow or take away
other property, and to make the only
laws which commanded their respect.
1t is hard to realize that our free
country has afforded in his rule the
most complete illustration of absolu-
tism that has disgraced the history o.
modern times; and now that this
monstrosity is tottering to its fall, it is
question of public interest how far
the powers of the Government can be
advantageously used in Fastening its
destruction.
One of the chief obstacles to the sue
cessful prosecution of Lees accompli-
ces in the Utah courts arises from the
fact that Mormon witnesses must
furnish proofs of guilt sufficiently
cogent to satisfy Mormon jurymen.
1t would probably be easy TO convict a
number Of the surviving participants
in the massacre if the offenders could
be tried in any other Territory or
State than Utah; but in view of the
4. 7 ,.k;
only possible because he had been
ostracised by the head of the Mormo on
Church, and because Brigham Young
had instructed lis adherents to facili-
tate the success of this particular
prosecution, there would appear to be
bat slight prospect of the conviction
of other offenders unless some such
device as change of venue or an eX-
clusion Of liOTmC1s from tie jury box
is adopted. Ii is folly TO expect tri-
bunal composed partly of men who
look up to Brigham Young as a bein g
endowed with supcrhuman contro,
over their Temporary and spiritual
welfare to convict him of u terrible
crime. By any ordinary standard OF
judgment he stands condemned al
ready of long list of Infamous often
ces, for his life is made up mainly OF q
succession Of Villainous practices, but
it is not easy to sec how lie can be con
victed by his dupes, his dependents,
and his uccopplices.
Nevertheless sucn strong impetus
has been given by Lees confession tt
the just feeling of indignation cXcitec
by the monstrositiCs of MormOnisn
that means will probably be found fol
fastening the doom of that "tWil
relic of barbarism." lfthe courts can
not act effectively, Congress may bt
induced to adopt some of the repres
sive legislation that has been PRESSED
upon its attention, Since it is posi-
lively known that the most inhumar
massacre ever pcrpetrated on Amer
can soil was the work of Mormons
who claimed to act under the cOnVic
tion that their duty to their Churcl
required them to slay scores of help
less men, women, and children, anC
since the WORT charges ever made
against the Mormon leaders have bcei
substantially proven, 10 plea founded
upon the necessity of respecting religi
Gus freedom should prevent the Gov
eminent from using every available
agency for the extirpauion of all th'
hideous crimes that have too long beel
practiced and condonod in Utah.
FoyneY's Press.
THE YOUNG FOLKS MONTH";
Good sound food for the mind i!
lust as essential to its moral healtl
and vigor as healthy food for th'
stomach and pure air for the lungs arr
to the health and vigor of the body
In view of this fact it is the duty o