The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-02-08
THE MORMON QUEsTIsN.

The Mormon question has recently been for
ced into more than its ordinary prominence
by the action of Governor Murray in giving TO
Mr., Campbell the certificate of election for
delegate, rather than to Cannon who claims to
have been elected by a large majority at the
late general election in Utah. Governor
Murray bases his action, in certifying to the
election of Judge Campbell, on the ground
that Cannon was not a citizen of the United
States and therefore ineligible to the office.
The legal point involved in this disposition OF
the certificate is, whether Governor Murray
or congress is the judge of the qualihcatlons
of q delegate. The Governor did not trouble
congress with the decision of the matter, but
with what he considered sufficient facts and
evidence before him, ignored the claims OF
Cannon aud granted the certificate to his op.
ponent. While there may exist a reasonable
doubt in the minds of the few in regard to
the validity Of the Governors decision when
measured by the requirements OF the law, no
doubt can exsist in the minds of any sane
person outside of the polygamous church as
to its justice when measured by the require
ments of civilizatiun,
We are all aware there are cases OF flag
rant wrongs committed against society, which
from their peculiar nature cannot be reached
and the wrongs redressed through the ordin-
arv channels for the administration of justice.
They are outside of the law and are neither
recognized nor protected by the law, but pros
per and flourish in the face OF, and in spite Of
the law. These cases must be met, combat
ted and overthrown on the grounds they occu-
py. THIS Mormon question has resolved it
self into one of these cases and a hard case it
is too. Our Solons at Washington haye been
for years p~uzzling their brains in an endeavor
to frame a legal weapon with which polyga-
my may be driven from its abiding place with
in our midst. Thus far they have failed, and
this burning shame to our manhood-this foul
blot upon our civilization-this blistering
curse upon one of the ~fairest, l~oveliest spots
in our whole land is permitted to grow and
thrive, and like the deadly Upas, to throw
out its branches towards the north and the
south, the east and the west, until they cover
with their poisonous shade the very heart of
the Union.
In the treatment of the Mormon question,
congress has developed a lamentable lack Of
its knowledge. The temporizing policy that
it has adopted towards the polygamous horde
has served to strengthen rather than to weak
en- them. They have become audacious and
aggressive. Cannon is a fair representative
of the spirit and purposes of his church. Not
content with enjoying the society of his sew
eral wives III the privacy Of his home at Salt
Lake, he must needs take each in turn to
Washington and aaunt the fruits of the ''pe-
culiar institution" III the face of the repre-
sentatives of every civilized nation on the
earth. If for no other reason than to put an
end TO this insult offered to the higher and
fined society will uphold and applaud
Governor Murray in Withholding a
certificate from polygamous Cannon.
Viewing the question from a social stand
point, the governor is justifiable. Viewing it
from a legal standpoint, a doubt may possibly
exist, but we believe the civilized world will
cheerfullv accord to him the benift of that
doubt. If he stepped a trite beyond the pale
Of the law to hand a certificate Of election to
"A, G. Campbell, he merely encroached upon
the grounds held by the Mormons and while
m~omentarily there, he dealt them a more
deadly blow than the government thus fal
has had the courage to deal. If congress
were composed of men who could simplify the
Mormon question as rsadil vas Governor Muir
ray did this election case, the "twin relic
would Snon diSannaar