Towanda daily review. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1879-1921, 1881-05-13
The Mormon Question.


the Mormon imbroglio, it Is probable the
miserable society would have gone the
way the 'woodbine twineth' long ago,
doubtless finding grave prior to that
other iniquitous institution, slavery.
But as it is not a partisan matter, it is
shorn Of the agitation, debate and'atten-
tion usually bestowed upon the great
questions Of the,day.
The great political parties all claim to
abhOr, detest and denounce the shameful
system, yet none ofthem have the pluck
or courage to wage an encounter against
it, aside from an occasional spread-eagle
speech and those periodical platform res
olutions, served up at the national con-
ventions. &
Congress everfulle of promises for any
sort of reform cautiously takes up and in
kid glove manner handles this evil but
signally fails to pass or see executed any
practical measures that are likely to up
root or seriously injure the infamous in
stitution. There living in security, un-
molested and unconquored, occupying
the garden Of the United States, this So
ciety has grown in opulence and increas-
ed in numbers till to-day it is a powerful
political as Well-as religious organization
whose demoralizing teachings. and degen-
Grating influence are inducing the fol-
lowers with q spirit hostile to the Gov
ernment from which they received pro-
lection, comfort and eXistance. The pest
is not confined to Utah alone as is gener-
ally supposed. Thesmildew and blight
spread into Idaho, while even Arizona
and Nevada begin to- feel its tenacious
and destructive grip. Good authority
assures us that the morals Of this people
are of low grade their educetion is neg
lected, their genius and intellect are un-
developed, while the social status is de-
plorable and the family relations any,
thing but harmonious and healthy.
Plurality of wives in this age and coun-
try is not calculated to advance the thrift
happiness or morals of any people or sect.
In fact like all kindred vices, it wars
with the ennobling, characteristics of
mankind, dwarting the spirit of progress
and destroying the genius Of the home,
that grand foundation of divine origin,
upon which rest the fame honor and
greatness of any people or nation The
household in Mormondom in. the true
sense of the word is a myth and shadow,
existing only in name, having none OF
that attraction, permancy and sanctity
that mark it in Christian Communities.
In short we will know Of the crooked
ness, leudness and abomination of this
degenerating institution. We are aware
of the low status Of the ''Saints'' ina So
cial, intellectual and moral point of view.
Their disloyalty to. the Government
that fosters them upon its lands is pat
ent to all and their cruelty, and murders
practiced upon the Gentiles among them
is matter Of history. In view of these
and many other reasons we. think it be-
hooves our Government to-act in the mat |
ter and at once too, not pursueing q nam
by pamby policy as has been done here
tofore but ''go for them on the war |
path, subjecting them to our laws, com
pelling them to respect and protect the
rights and property of others among
them and finally breakinfi up and sweep
ing out Of existance that system of faith |
and practice, the legitimate fruits of
which are decay decline and degeneracy. |
President Garfield has given good evi-
dence that new policy shall be adopted
in the matter Of which there surely is