The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-07

the people OF the United Stats to suppress
polygamY where it now exists in our Ter
risories, and to prevent its extension
Faithful and jealous efforts have been
made by the United States authorities in
Utah to enfore the laws against it, Expe
rience has shown that the legislation upon
this subject, TO be effective, requires extern
tensive modification and amendment Tie
longer action Is delayed the more difficult
1t will be to accomplish Whist is
are necessary. The Mormon sectarlan or
ganizatiou, which uphoids polyeamy, has
the whole power Of making and executing
the local legislation of the Territory. By
its control of the grand and petit juries il
possesses q large influence over the adj
lstration of justice. Exercising, as the
heads OF this sect do. the local political
powers of the Territory, they are aole to
make effective their hostility to the law of
Congress on the subject of polygamy, and
in fact do prevent Its enforcement. Polyg-
amy will not be abolished if the enforce
ment of the law depends on those who
practice and uphold the crime 1t can
only be suppressed by taking away the po-
Itical power OF the sect which encourages
and upholds It. The power of Congress to
enact suitable laws to protect the territories
measures. The political power
of the Mormon sect is increas-
ing. 1t controls now one of our
wealthiest and most populous territories.
IL is extending steadily into other terrific
ries. and where ever it goes it establishes
polYgamy and sectarIan political power.
The sanctity OF marriage and the family
relation are the corner stone OF our Ameri-
can society, and civilization, religious lib
erty and the separation OF church and state
are amobg the elementary ideas of free in
situations. To reestablish the interests and
PRINCIPLES which polygauy and Mormon
ism have imperi!led, and to fully re open
to intelligent and virtEous imm grants of
all creeds that part of our domain
which has been In q great degree
closed to general immigration by intolerant
and immoral institutions, it is recommend
ed tn At the government OF the Territory of
Utah be reorganiZed. l recommend that
Congress provide for the government of
Utah by Governor, Judges or Commits
sioners appointed by the President and
confirmed by the Senate, q government
analogous to the provisional government
established for the territory northwest of
the Ohio by the ordinance of 1857 If,
however, it is deemed best to continue the
existing form Of local government, rec com
mend that the right to vote, hold Office and
cit on iuries in the Territory of Utah be
confined 10 those who neither practice nor
uphold polygamy. If thorough measures
are adopted. 1t is believed that within a
few years the evils which now affect Utah
will be eradicated, and that this Territory
will In good time become one of the most
prosperous aud attractive of the new States
of the Union.
THE FISHERY QUESTION AND FORTUNE BAY
AFFAIR
Our relations With all foreign countries
have been those of undisturbed peace and
have presented no occasion for concern as
to their continued maintt nance
My anticipation OF an early reply from
the British government to toe demand OF
indemnify TO our fishermen for the Injuries
suffered by that industry at Fortune Bay,
in January. 1878. which l expressed in my
last annual message, was disappointed
This answer was received only in the latter
part of April 10 the present year, and when
received exhibited failure of accord be
tween the two governments as to the meas
ure of the inshore fishing privilege, secur-
ed to our fisherman by the treaty
of Washington, of SO serious char
acter that made it the
eabject of a communication in Congress in
which l recommended the adoption of
measures which seemed to me proper to be
taken by this government In maintenance
of the rights accorded to our fishermen
under the treaty, and towards securing an
indemnity for the injury these interests
had suffered A bill to carry out these
recommendations was upder consideration
by the House of Representatives st the
time of the adjournment Of Congress in
June last. Within few weeks | have re
ceived communication from Her Males
tvs government rene wing the considera-
tion OF the subject, both of the indemnity
from the injuries at Fortune Bay, and of
the Incorporation of the treaty, in which
the previous correspondence had shown the
two governments 10 be at variance Upon
both these topics the disposition towards
friendly agreement is manifested by rec
ognition of our right to an Indemnity tor
the transaction at Fortune Bay. leaving the
measure of such indemnify to further
and by an assent TO the view of
this government presented in the prey;ous
correspondence, that the regulation of con-
interests of the shore fishery of the
Provincial sea coast, and the vessel fishery
of our fishermen, should be made the sub
ject of conference and concurrent arrange
ment between the two governments. /
hope that the bases may by found
for a speedy adjustment of the very serious
divergence OF views in the Interpretation
of the fishery clauses OF the Treaty OF
Washington; which, as the correspondence
between the two governments stood at the
close of the last session of Con-
gress seemed to be irreconcilable.
EXHIBITION AT NEW SOUTH
WALES
In the important exhibition of arts and
In 1ustries which was held last year at Sid
ney. New South Wales, as well as in that
now in progress at Melbourne, the United
States have been efficiently and honorstly
Toe exhibitors from this
country at the former place received large
number Of awards in some of the most
departments, and the particl
patton of the United States was recognized
by special mark of distincticn. In the
exhibition at Melbourne the share taken
by our country is no less notable, and an
equal degree of success is confidently ex-
pected.
OTHER FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The state of peace and tranquility now
enjoyed by the continent of Europe. has its
influence upon our diplomatic and com
merciai relations We have concluded
and ratified convention with the French
Republic for the settlement of claims OF the
citizens of either country against the other
Under this convention Commission, pre-
sided over by distinguished pubiicist.
appointed in pursuance of the request of