National Republican., 1877-04-24
THE MON QUESTION.

THE HORMON QUESTION.
To tie EDITOR cfhs National RspubIiess:
Sir. A. was Inevitable, tho Mormon question
has again como to the surface. Having spsnt
some time In Utah, and having studied the peo-
pie and their Institutions pretty carefully, de-
sire, through your valuable journal, to throw out
some suggestions ~ to the best mode OF treating
some OF the questions which viii call for settle
mont By the Forty -anh Congress.
Ths trial and sxscution Of John d. Lee has In
spirsd confidence in the vitality Of our institu-
lions, even whom brought to bear upon these In
oongraous people. Tho great dinculty hsrsso-
fore has been In obtaining juries who would co.,
viot Mormon. Under an act Of the territorial
Legislature the juriss were selected BY the terri
torisl marshal, who was elected BY the Lsgisla-
turs. Tho selection was made from list made
out BY the County Court. Tho result was that
the jurymsn were all Mormona And this mode
Of selecting Juries, Though Questioned BY some Of
the FEDERAL judges in the Territory, was decided
70 DO legal and valid in 1sIi BY the Supreme
Court Of the United States In Clinton vs.. Eagle
brsoht, 10 Wallace Rep, t3a-
Long before this decision, however, an ensrt
was made to amend the organic act In this re-
gard. In 1858 an amendment Was drawn fer that
purpose ct Salt Lake. It was indorsed by two
Of the Judges and the Governor, and was sent to
Senator browning. II was BY him introduced
Into the Senate. and referred to the Conmittss
on Territories. The Mormon leaders felt this "a
be, - II was, an attempt to lay proper fsunda-
tion for tho endorsement Of the laws Of the
United States and the criminal laws Of the Terri
tory. They instantly took the alarm; raised {
hue and cry Of persecution; held public meet.
ings; made innsmu ustory speeches, snd even ~
tempted to "persuads" the offending ofaoials "a
resign their ofnoos and leave the Territory,
Though they did not succeed In this, they scoon
Issh~ ,hst- d, h.- -
country being already engaged In great civil
war, It Was thought best not 70 pass at that time
the bill introduced by Mr.. browning.
Nothing was done by Oosgress until about
1874, when an sct was passed revising the Judicia
system Of the Territory, and providing, among
ether things, that the juries shall be drawn b.
the United States marshal. In the presence o
the court, from list Of two hundred persons, %
isetsd alternately By the clerk Of the distrie
court and the probate Judge Of the county.
This law and the inapI Of an anti. Mormsz
population, rendered the conviction Of Lee POS
sibis. Yet even under Its operation It 10 very
doubtful whether verdict could ever havs been
obtained II Lee had not besn abandoned By
Brigham Young and tho leaders OF the church.
The completely and active participation Of h
Mormon church In tho Mountain Meadow massa
ere has long been matter Of history. but thai
| 10 not all. There Is long list OF other murderi
1 which have gone unpunished. Ther
Is now some prospect Of having jsi
ise administered In the territory, and all ciasss
l Of people protected In their rights. But, M
Editor, while We should all feel encouraged Q
this, let us, 10 our lsgislation, be careful not
be carried 70 the opposite extreme: IN asdi
sYoey ass.tos and US % not % .SppSss pose tS.rs II ',
bat ons side to the Mormon qusstfon.
The Mor...' ssts pisn.sEs in : vIldsrnss
ike the rose. They built / city or neat house
planted trees along the streets, and turned q
mountain stream to trrlgats their nelds An
a. he repossd In peace, amer . toilsoms IN
weary journey across the plains, For, In justi,
nay Be said, that = except z; about the TIN. Of u
ter, the discreet traveller could pass through u
Territory In comparstiye saisty.
has never @ been denied, that the T masses @ hs' "a;
been ana are honest and Industrious, thous
ignorant And dsluded.
bs adopted BY the National LsgsiatuTci
.nsSi.ss % Any law Of that that Rina mould, ~ n
.. o.
pslyssSy in 4. FsslofI saok al ii% Gs'iS Il
r and would be but the maniisstation q . due 3
. would dlsfrsnchiss Brigham ounE. Who, In ia
J. the act Of Congress, thus setting an example
t iawiessness to his followers.
Q There can be no objection to making the sar
q OF violation Of that act.
= Farther than this It may not DO advisable
proceed a prssegn, in the way 2, isEisla!iOn;
years ago, wherein it was held that the act Of I
H ..d Sn sa
: the, orE.nio act q ne TsrIItOIy, and thereto
oS.nss IN Ss mini q s &.
Tho n.ai solution Of the Mormon question 9,
American In their education, habits, eastoI
compact organization. and held there By I
70 leader. who are bold. crafty and unscrupuio'
" men vho ioI quarter q century, have dr.'
date their power. Not loss than half niIii
% ara n.s q .sp: SsSn PiS Sy hs
y In the centre Of tho Republic, to say nothing
70 the Immense sums expended in the territory d,
~as' and much ~ Il aSsS vsas snsst ssa
= Tras philosophy teaches us to respect all
10 eur Constitution and republican form Of COVE
y 90 fsr as II dsssnot sntagoniis our laws and
o tsgonlsm be removed but little Is len Of the
70 Il is possible, however, and must bs the hope
% will receive revelations more consistent VI
Of their duty rs citizens OF the United States.
IS. II not The new Zion must be built up and
10 the distant sisnds y the Pssias wasrs, e. eSus %
well % In Utah, .the Lords house. can be bu
n ,on the tops Of the mountaias" yi.soSt any
Formerly ksssoists justice Of Utah Terrific