New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-13
KrrpING az M0RE M0RMONS.


II has AT last been discovered that a good place
for fighting Mormonism in one of its worst phases
is the Atlantic Coast. The State Department has
done iudicious thing in warning foreign Govern
ments that emigrants who are also Mormon con-
verts, and who come over with a view of trying the
pleasures of polygamy, are not desirable acqusi-
lions and in point of fact, nuisances, against
whom it may be as necessary TO set mp quarantine
rs if they had the yellow fever They arrive from
Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany and Great
Britain. They have all professed their faith In the
Mormon creed, of which poygamy is principal
article Having embraced 1t. they are prospectively
violators of the National law against it. If they do
not set up harems at Salt Lake, they will sup
port those who do. They are prima tacle
suspicious and disrcputable persons, and, as
such, can just as properly be sent back as any
other suspicious and dsreputable persons. We
would not let in Thugs whose religion is murder
and robbery, nor Adamites whose piety consists in
going without clothes-why then permit Mormons
whose faith is partly concubinagef
Foreign governments ought to interfere to prevent
their ignorant and deceived subjects from getting
into trouble, or from coming here to violate our
laws If they decline to do so, this country must
protect itself as well as it can. Mormonism is a
horrid hash of profanity, fanaticsm aud Obscenty.
Ii is always passing from abstract opinions which
might be tolerated TO a practice which is intoer-
able barbarism. Take out the polygamy and the
treason so far as the latter is ventured
upon. and what is there left except nom
sense and superstition The Constitution, which
toerates the largest religious liberty, GER
tany does not tolerate crime. Otherwise the
wretch in Massachusetts who killed his baby rs an
offering to the Lord might plead the provisions of
that instrument. That is crime which the law makes
crime, and so much the law has done for poly
gamy though practised conscientiously, they pro-
fess, by the Mormons The question arises, then,
whether we should permit those who do not believe
il to be what our law makes il to the oppOr
tunity Of violating its provisions. SO, too, it is
questionable whether it is kindness TO allow them
the chance of getting themselves convicted and
sent to prison.
No doubt If such a measure should be adopted
there would be an cutlery IN Salt Lake City, aud
much bad language would be poured forth in the
Tabernacle, as well as printed in the Mormon
newspapers But there is 10 question, We
take it, of pleasing the Saints. The only
way Of gratifying them would be to repeal the
law and Of that there is no intention. CONVEX
sions on the other side Of the would DO checked
when il was found that immigration did not neceSsa-
rily follow and upon such conversions the SAINTS
are now mainly relying for AN increase and multi
plication Of the faithful When the Apostles IN
Europe find that they cannot bring over their pros
elytes they will stop prOseyting and there will be
one more chance Of the disappearance Of this de-
Iusion fro N the face of the continent.