Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-20
~ So. From the Boston Journal.
The Doom Of POlygamy.

II is satisfactory and significant hint Of
the approaching dissolution of the polyga-
nous system of Mormonism that the tone
ofthe representative ormons has changed
from defiance to entreaty. The recent de-
cision of the Supreme Court affirming the
constitutionality of the anti-polygamy act
Of 1862 removes the last obstacle to a
faithful execution of the laws in Utah
Accordingly we find that the Mormon dele
gate to Congress, Mr.. Cannon, himself a
polygamist, is doing his utmost to excite
sympathy for those who are affected by
the law, and to secure in their behalf, if
possible, exemption from the prosecutions
which would naturally follow the decision.
His plea is that the polygamous marriages
already made should not be interfered
with, and that the law should be applied
only to prevent and punish such marriages
in the future. The argument by which he
supports this plea is curious, TO say the
least. Briefly stated, it is that the gov
eminent, by allowing this act to remain
dead letter, has justly barred itself from
sudden action under it. That is to say,
because with polygamous judges and
polygamous juries it has been impossible
in the past to enforce law against polyg-
amy. therefore the government, when it
does find it possible to enforce the law,
should deal leniently with the people who
have deliberately and persistently defied
it, The success with which the lawbreak-
ers of Utah have evaded the law is made
the ground for their further exemption. It
is not pretended that there has been any
ignorance as to the law among those who
have broken it. The polygamous mar
riages which have been made in Utah dur
ing the last eighteen years have been made
not because the law was not known. but
because it was supposed that it could be
resisted or evaded, as it has been. But if
the law is constitutional to-day, as the Su-
preme Cont has declared it to be. il was
constitutional in 1862, when it was passed
Every marriage made in the interval in vi
olation of its provisions is illegal and adul-
ferrous, and it is asking good deal to i'm.
plore the Government to condone all such
offences on the very ground that they have
been numerous and successful. Granting
all that may be said of the unhappiness
which would be caused in Mormon
households by the thorough enforcement of
the law. this is only fhelegitimate outcome
of the iniquitous system which has cor
rupted the whole social fabric and tainted
the very atmosphere of Utah. The re-
sponsibility for this suffering, actual or
prospective. must be placed not at the
doors of the law, but of the violators of
the law. .s.s~I --
There are few things about which the
people Of this country have been so gen
orally or so justly impatient as the tolera-
ton Of polygamous practices in Utah.
They have seen system based on greed
and lust building itself up year by year,
importing caravans Of converts from
abroad, sustaining itself by murder and
massacre. and defying the government to
interfere with its processes. They have felt
that the laws of righteousness as well as
the. statutes Of the country were against
thu AEstem, aud. they have wondered that
no efficient measures were taken to vindi-