The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-12-11

AO''f
be repealed.
Believing that to reform the system and
methods of the civil service in our coun-
try Is one of the highest and most imper-
alive duties of craftsmanship, ana that IL
can be permanently done only by the CO.
operation of the legislative and eXecu-
tive departments of the government, |
again commend the whole subject to your
considerable attention.
1t is the recognized duty and purpose
of the people OF the United States TO
suppress polygamy where 1t now eX-
lists in our territories, and TO prevent It's
extension Faithful and Jealous efforts
have been made by the United States
authorities in Utah TO enforce the laws
against 1t. Experience has shown that
the legislation upon this subject, to De
effective, requires extensive modification
and amendment. The longer action is
delayed, the more difficult will it be to
accomplish what is desired. Prompt and
decided measures are necessary. The
Mormon sectarian organization which
upholdS poygamy has the whole power
of making and executing the local legis-
lation of the territory. by Its control OF
the grand and petit juries, it possesses
large influence over the administration of
Justice. Exercising, as the heads OF this
territory, they are able to make effective
their hostility to the law Of Congress on
the subject of polygamy, and, in fact, 90
prevent its enforcement. POlygamy Will
not be abolished if the enforcement OF
the law depends on those who practice
and uphold the crime. 1t can only be
suppressed by taking away the political
power of the sect which encourages and
sustains It. The power of Congress to
enact suitable laws to protect the terrific
ries Is ample. 1t is not Il case of half
way measures. The political power of
the Mormon sect is increasing; it controls
now one of our wealthlest and most pop
ulous territories. 1t is extending stead
ily into other territories. Wherever 1t
goes it establishes p0lygamy and secta-
yian political power. The sanctity of
marriage and the family relation 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 in
situations. To re.establish the interests
and principles which polygamy and Nor
monism have imperilled, and to fully re-
open to intelligent and virtuOuS lmml-
grants of all creeds that part OF our do
main which has been, in great degree,
closed to general immigration by intoler-
ant and immoral institutions, it is recon-
mended that the government OF the ter
ritory of Utah be reorganized.
| recommend that Congress provide for
the government of Utah bya Governor
and Judges, or Commissioners appointed
by the President and confirmed by the
Senate-a government analogous to the
provisional government established Tor
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, | recommend
that the right to vote, hold office and sit
on juries IN the territory of Utah be CON
fined to those who neither practice nor
uphold pOlygamv. If thorough measures
are adopted. it is believed that within Il
few wears the evils which now alllict
Utah will be eradcated, and that this
territory will in good time become one OF
the most prosperous and attractive of the
new states of the Union.
Our relations with all foreign countries
have been those of undisturDed peace,
and have presented no occasion for con-
Germ as to their continued maintenance.
My anticipation OF an early reply from
the British Government to the demand of
indemnity to our fishermen for the inju-
ries suffered by that industry at Fortune
Bay, in January, 1878, which | expressed
in nv last annual message, WAS dlSap-
pointed. This answer was received only
In the latter part of April in the present
wear. and, when received, exhibited Il
failure of accord between the two gov
ernments, a5 to the measure OF the in
shore fishing privilege secured to our
fishermen by the treaty OF Washington,
of 50 serious character that | made 1t
the subject of a communication to Con-
gress, in which recommended the adop-
ton of the measures which seemed 10 me
proper to be taken by this governmental
maintenance of the rights accorded to
our fishermen under the treaty, and to-
wards securing an indemnity for the m
Jury these interests had suffered. "A bill
to carry out these recommendations was
under consideration by the House OF
Representatives. ut the time of the ad-
jOurnment of Congress in June last.
Within few weeks have received Il
communication from Her Majesty's Gov
eminent, renewing the consideration OF
the subject, both of the indemnity for
the injuries at Fortune Bay, and OF the
Interpretation of the treaty in which the
previous correspondence had shown the
two governments to be at variance. Upon
both these topics the disposition towards
Il friendly agreement is manifested by Il
recognition of our right to an indemnity
for the transaction at Fortune Bay, leav-
ing the measure of such indemnity to
further conference, and by an assent 10
the view of this government, presented
in the previous correspondence, that the
regulation of conflicting interests of the
shore fishery Of the provincial seacoasts,
and the vessel fishery of our fishermen,
should be made the subject of confer
ence and concurrent arrangement be-
tween the two governments.
sincerely hope that the basis may be
found in speedy adjustment of the very
serious divergence OF views III the INFER
probation of the fishery clauses of the
treaty of Washington, which, rs the cor
respOndence between the governments
stood ut the close of the last session of
Congress, seemed to be irreconcilable.