The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-09-05
rI,r MORMON QUESTION.


Nav YoBK, August 0th The Ha-
okfs Washington special says Tho
Mormon question, like great many
other Of our political and social ques-
tions, has risen to international import
ance. a letter prepared BY the secro-
tary of State, protesting against the
conduct Of the Governments Of Great
Britain, Germany, Norway, Sweden
and Denmark, In continuing 20 allow
their subjects to leave for the United
States as Mormon cmigrants, was read
at the Cabinet meeting to.day, and cop
les sent by tonight'a mail 10 or diIlo.
inatic representatives in those coun-
tries. The letter, it is nndorstood, is
an energetic presentation of tie VIEWS
Of the Administration on the Mormon
question and determination on It's
part to mako the institution of poly
gauy IA odious as possible under exist
ing laws
Il begins by setting forth that under
otH statutes biseuy IS crime ia say
oi tle forrasoriea of the United states.
aud that men aud women destined for
Utah 20 there with the intention and
for the avowed purpose Of violating
this law. The letter then teoites that
by the Act of July |. 1862, every PER
son, having husband or wife living,
who nurriea another, whether married
or single, in Territory or other place
over which the United States have ex-
elusive jurisdiction, is guilty Of bigamy,
and shall be punished by fine Of not
more than 1000, and by imprisonment
for term Of not more than five years
aud that under this Law, which has been
sustained by the United States Su-
CREME Court upon test case, George
Reynolds, citizen Of Utah and
member of the Mormon church, was
convicted Of bigamy, and is now Bery.
ing sentence of two years in the Utah
penitentiaiy. And further, that it Is
tho purpose Of this Government to
prosecute every person in that Terri
tory against whom evidence can bc OBJ
tanned Of violation Of this law.
Our Ministers are instructed to lay 4
copy Of the letter before the Govern
ments to which they are accredited.
without delay, and 70 represent in the
most friendly manner to those Govern.
ments that it would be Az act Of Justice
toward their subjects if the latter could
he ,lissuaded from accepting induce
neu,s held out hy mcgoenary agents of
the Mormon Church to settle in Utah.
Reference is next inade 10 existing
obligations on the parts of tho Govern.
Inents Of those countries not 70 allow
persons to depart from their inrisdic-
tion TO the United States who are
known to have criminal intentions, and
further explaining that ali vho come 70
this country for the purpose Of aiIili-
ating with the Mormon Church do 80
with the ayowed intention of becoming
criminals and suhiecting themselves to
the penalties Of tbs criminal iasss.
Therefore, the United States viii con
slider il a friendly act on the part Of the
Governments Of these nations If they
viii also regard tlie matter in this light
Attention is called to the large mum
Der Of women y no are induced TO be-
come cmigrnats, and who therefore aid
and abet the crime of bigamy and the
principles Of the Mormon Church, which
require plurality Of wives.
Onr Ministers are instructed to call
upon our Consuls in those countries
without delay, to assist them in gaining
information as 10 tie manner in which
the ranks Of the Mormon Church are
recruited, and to forward information
as speedily as possible to Washington.
4 member Of the Cabinet said To-
night thnt the Administration did not
now consider Mormon immigrants any
more entitled to respect than 80 many
persons who had been convicted Of fell
ony, and that the purpose Of sending
the letter is 70 caution the people Of the
countries where this class of immigrants
is made up, aud to warn them what
they may expect if they 60 to Utah.
"If this friendly request Of the Gov.
ernment is disregarded, then" eontin-
ued the Cabinet officer, we viii be in
position where we can refuse them
entrance into our ports and forbid yes
sells landing them. 1t is hardly possi-
BILE that our Consuls will not be able to
ascertain every attempt made TO ship
this class of people to the United States,
and the Administration recognizes che
responsibility of duty which the law
imposes upon it to prevent lawless peo-
pie from landing ON our territory"