Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-12-07
POLYGAMY.

statutes, comprising the tenure of-ofice act,
of March End, 1867, be repealed.
PoLYGAMY.
1t is the recognized duty and purpose of
the United States to suppress polygamy
where it now exists in our territories, and to
prevent its extention. Faithful and zeal
Gus efforts have been made by the United
States authorities in Utah to enforce the law
against it. Experience has shown that the
legislation upon this subject, to be effective,
requires extensive modification and amend
ment. The longer action is delayed, the
more difficult it will be to accomplish what
is desired. Prompt and decided measures
are necessary. The Mormon sectarian or
ganization which upholds polygamy has the
whole power of making and executing the
local lie gislation of the territory. By its
control of the grand and petit juries, it
possesses large influence oyer the admins
tration Of justice. Exercising, as the heads
of this sect do, the local political power of
the territory, they are able to make effec-
tive their hostility to the law of Congress
on the subject of polygamy, and,
in fact, do prevent its enforcement. Po
lygamy will not be abolished if the enforce
ment of the law depends on those who
practice and uphold the crime. 1t can on
ly be suppressed by taking away the politi-
cal power of the sect which encourages and
sustains it. The power of Congress to en-
act suitable laws to protect the Territories
is ample. 1t is not case for halfway
measures. The political power of the Nor
mon sect is increasing; it controls now one
of our wealthiest and most populous Terri
tories. 1t is extending steadily into other
Territories. Wherever it goes it establishes
polygamy and sectarian political power.
The sanity of marriage and the family re-
lation are the cornerstone of our American
society and civilization. Religious liberty
and the separation of church and State are
among the elementary ideas of free insti-
tutions. To reAestablish the interests and
principles which polygamy and Mormonism
have imperilled, and to fully reopen to iu-
telligent and virtuous immigrants of all
creeds that part of our domain which has
been, in a great degree, closed to general
immigration by intolerant and immoral in
situations, it is recommended that the gov>
eminent of the Territory of Utah be reor>
gained.
l recommend that Congress provide for
the government of Utah by Governor and
Judges, or Commissioners, appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Senate
| "a government analogous to the provis-
ional government established for the Ter
ritory northwest of the Ohio, by the ordi-
nance of 1887. If, however, it is deemed
best to continue the existing form of local
government, recommend that the right to
vote, hold office, and sit on juries in the
| Territory of Utah, be confined to those
who neither practice nor uphold pelygamy
If thorough measures are adopted, it is ter
lieved that within a few years the evils
which now afflict Utah will be eradicated
and that this territory will in good time be-
come one Of the most prosperous and at
tractive of the new States of the Union.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
He discusses our foreign relations and
commends the efforts Of the Department Of
State to enlarge the trade and commerce Of
the United States. He suggests the grea
service in the engagement of our commerce
on the Pacific ocean were trans-mar1ne
cable laid from San Francisco to the Sand
wich Islands, and thence to Japan and
Australia, and says:
An additional, and not unlmportant al
though secondary, reason for fostering and
enlarging the Navy may be found in the
unquestionable service to the expansion Of
our commerce, which would be rendered
by the frequent circulation ofnaval ships in
the seas and ports of all quarters of the
globe. Ships of the proper construction
and equipment, to be of the greatest eff.
cheney in case of maritime war, might be
made constant and active agents in time Of
peace in the advancement and protection o.
our foreign trade, and in the nurture and
discipline of young seamen, who, would,
naturally, IN some numbers, mix with and
improve the crews of our merchant ships
Our merchants at home and abroad recog-
nize the value to foreign commerce of an
active movement of our naval vessels, anG
the intelligence and patriotic zeal of ou1
naval officers in promoting every interest O
their countrymen, is AUST subject of ma
tional pride.
/ FINANCES.