The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-08-15
0RAhe EsUBq, $. c., AUGUST IS, 1879.
DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
The Mormons.

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Ever since the conviction and i'm
prisonpent Of George Reynolds, q
lcilizen Of Utah and member of the
Mormon Church, the Mormon ques.
ton has been one of growing impor-
tango in the United States and what
disposition to make of them has been
! as perplexing as the question is im.
portapt The Government in that
case took position from which il
cannot recede and is morally and le-
gally bound to, try apa convict every
one, against whom evidence of bigamy
Gan be obtained. It has been ad-
judged that bigaWy is crime to be
prosecuted in the same manner as
felony or any other violation of the
,laws Of the country that it is ruinous
and destructive 10 a healthy state of
society; that it is essentially incom-
patible with good citizenship that it
is al insurmoun.able obstl uction to
fhe advancement Of civilization and
the Christian, religion aid tha. it
stands, naturally opposed TO progress
IN any shape and form. No sect has
ever instituted q creed that pandcrs
iil6re. TO the vilest passions of the
human heart, or is better calculate
10 transform man into o brute than
That; Of Mormonism. 1t benpmbs the
sensibiliLies and destroys the affec.
tions.of the, heart, and in its inau.
.cnce upon the home circle and fami-
~, is more fatal tilun tic whole cata.
soguc of crimes besides. Indeed we
know cf no human action that could
hpofe Justly be classed with murder in
;he first degree than bigamy. Whilst
the one takes life and renders exist
cnce in society hazardous. t4e other
destroyes society and renders exist,
ence in it worthless, and both ongh.
toSbc met by the Inv with equal firm
ness.
: If There is valid excuse for the
government to permit an organized
society of Mormons TO practice biga-
my in Utah, there is the same excuse
for allowing a parcel of men to dis.
iii whiskey without license in the
mountains, or band of robbers to
plunder any c.o'!m1R'gnpi:y on Of eyr citi-
zens; for tbe Mormon trengregsipn
against the l lev lsS u {! thfopqapa times
more heiHoue' than the others in its
effects upon the dignity of the gov.
efhlhent, the purity of religion, the
unity of society and the honor of the
citizen. 10 prosecute and punish
the one and not the other makes the
government itself criminal. Every
SjgAmist, therefore, whether he be o
Mormon in Utah, or o negro or
White man in South Carolina, against
tthom evidence can be obtained,
ought to Be' prosecuted, and if con:
yicted punished to the full extent of
the law. Indeed this crime is not
confined to Utah, but may be found
in daily practice nmdng the ne groes
of the South and that tod when the
communities are 'eogaizaut of the
fuct.," Letplc officers of1thc law get
ta'aorR and, if needs be, let every
penitentiary in the United States be
filed with the guilty one.
The Government has determined
TO move fn'tlle' matter and have com.
municated With" Gteht Br: tain, Ger.
many, Norway, Sweden and Den
mark with r. view Of stopping the
emigration Of psrsoas Will Ibfimipal
Intentions from tIiose" laHaS To- ptRh:
and we. hopb soon to learn that thG
entire membership of Tie Mormon
Church is on trial for bigamy' before
tlte u. $. Court Their rreed' Of
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