New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-05
WAR UPON THE MoRMONs.

A MANIFEST PURPOSE on Tue PANT OF TdE PREsI-
DENT TO DESTROY PoLYGAMY If POSSIBLE
WHAT TIE MoRMoNs INrHND-A SUGGESTION.
frRoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRiruNk.I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.--In the resolution provd-
ing for the distribution Of the Presidents Message
10 the several committees, which was reported to
the House to-day. the Committee on Ways and
Means recommended that the section relating to
polyCamy be referred TO the Committee Terri
tories. Mr. Willis, of Michigan, offered an amend
Inent 10 refer the section the Committee on the
Judiciary After brief discussion tAe amendment
was adopted. Mr.. Willis. who is a member CT the
Judiciary Committee, expresses a determination to
labor for such notifications of the laws as may be
necessary 10 break up the practice Of Polygamy.
Delegate Cannon, OF Utah, who is himself
polvcamist expresses much surprise at the tone of
the Presidents Message this subject. He APP
pears TO be considerably depressed. Mr. Cannon
indignantly rcseRts the charge that the Mermens
have had anything 20 do with meeting the Ute
troubles
The suggestion the President makes, that the
endowment and exercise of Che rights and privileges
of citizenship in the Territories OF the United States
nav be withheld OF withdrawn from those who
violate or oppose the enforcement of the law" on
The subject of poyeapy. if not altogether practi-
cal one shows the manifest purpose of the present
Administration 10 continue the war against the pc
cular institution of Utah so vigorously begun by 1t
last Summer.
While il is hardly probable that any European
Government Will take measures to prevent the de-
parture of Mormon converts not already guilty oil
contracting plural marriages lin which case they
would be amenab.e 20 the laws of their native
landD the publication of Secretary Evartss circular
has unquestiohably had the effect to direct atten-
ton to the subject all those countries where Nor
mon missionaries ere the most ndustuOusiy en-
gagged in the business of preselytnc, and has gwen
all converts who think Of eri2ratiug TO these shores
ample warning that plural marriages are illegal In
the United States. aud that those who come here M
tending to become polygamiss do so at their peril
The Presidents idea now is that a powerful iniu-
ence may be brought to bear the Mcrmons in
Utah 10y requiring every man who holds office III the
Territory under the laws of the United States every
oRe,who Votes indeed take oath that he is not
himself poyganst and is not opposed to tie execu-
ton of laws against peygamy. In tie Legislature OF
Utah there are generally not than two OF three
Gentiles, and a large majority Of tie members IN
both Houses are generally practical poygamls's.
The President wonlA. ne says. make every one OF
these men lgbe 60 seats in the Legislature, and
the payment of money them for services TO the
United States illegal. He would even deny TO Mr.
George O. Cannon, TIE Utah delegate IN Congress,
the right TO sit there long he continues TO live
in poly gamy.
A policy lie this would undoubtedly cause great
excitement among the Mormons IN Utah and pro-
woke some very angry and disloval talk, If 1t should
not lead to an open outbreak against the authority
of the General Government The more conservative
Mormons especially these who are net polyeamsts.
wonld make it an occasion for advising once more,
as they have already recommended so the leaders Of
the Church on several occasions, when there has
seemed to be "a crisis in their affairs that the sys
tenn of plural marriages be abandoned until the COLI
fict between Their pretended revelations and the
laws Of the land shall have passed away. The pre-
portion of ygamOus marriages Is smaller III utah
to-day than il ever has been since brigham Young
led ns followers to salt Lake; and the time may
come when the majority of tie voters of the Terri
tory. who have each only 0pe wife and who have
no intention of taking Others will conclude that it
is no longer their duty suffer both politically and
industrially in order that a small minority may
continue a practice which at leatt ~ only permitted
10 the Saints and not cnjoined them i'll the form
of a peremptorv command A law placing polygs-
nous Morulons under political disabilities might lie
the last straw TO break the Gamers DICK Ol the pa-
tience Of the majority.
The Mormon question is one that will be the more
difficult to settle in any at all satisfactory
to the DeOple of the United states the longer IFS
adjustment is postponed. The fact may not be gen
orally kEown that while the LatteT-Day Salntsaro
sending forth their missionaries INTO every part of
the earth aud gathering the converts they make IN
Salt Lake Valley, they are also ESTABLISHING large
colonies in the babtable valleys Of Idaho and All
zona and expect before many years to control both
of those Territories The construction OF new rail
roads and the opening Of mines in the country north
and soutb of Utah may give such stimulus 10 Cen
file emigration into IdaEO and ARENA that the
MormeIls may long remain in minority IN bothj
and PERHAPS they may Deyer become numerous
enough 20 outvcte the other population but as II
looks DOW, the danger that the Government may
vet have to deal with polygamy in mere than one
of the Western Territories Is by no means an iiisi
nary
The popnlation of Utah has now become great
that. as the President observes in his message that
Territory will soon rgitfuIly demand admission IS
a State i'm the UnOa. Ii was the intention of the
Mormons 10 Dress this question during the present.
Winter but the announcement Of such purpose
last Summer was received with such manifest dis.
approval throughout the United States that 1t has
probably been abandoned The Mormons under
stand that they would now not only encounter tho
solid opposition of the Republican party. which
would never consent to the erection of a new
Democratic State Just the eve Of one of the
most important Presidential elections which ever
took place in this country but that public sentiment
against their admission with polyRany still sus-
tanned and protected by their people would be so
strong that Democrats even would be Affected by
st. and would be forced TO oppose the passage OF an
enabling act
But the time is soon coming when this question
of the admission OF Utah will become of the
lively political. If not partIsan issues Of the day.
and then il will be the duty Of Congress 10 decide
what conditions in regard to polygamy ii will I'M
pose upon the State which II Will be proposed
10 admit. The difficulty of dealing with tins ques-
tiOn will also be greatly Increased by the cOnsidera-