The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-12-13

Some Plain Words on the Eneroach-
ments Of . Poiyeamous Church.


Gev. Meal 81 Mernsnisn.
New York, Dec. 12.-Gov. Neal. Of
Idaho. now here. was interviewed yes
terdsy by q Tribune reporter on the
subject Of mormonism. The former
said: "Mormonism il . serious quss-
tiou on the Pacific coast, and the NOR
mons = making special efforts to pom
troll the territories outside Of Utah,
where they have already complete mas
terry. II the press Of the country would
discuss the question thoroughly. senti-
ment would soon Be created that would
compel congress to act in the matter. l
should also like to say that in the diY-
sion Of parties In Utah In sympathy
with the mormon and anti-mormon,
there are no republicans or democrats
known a. such there; and / find among
staunchest anti-mormons such men q
Judge ~Roseborough. Judge Sutherland,
Col. Samuel Merritt and many other
prominent democrats. all Is hostile a.
any republican to the prevailing system.
1t is part of the plan Of the mormon
church TO populate the surrounding ter
ritories and states with q view Of ulti-
gaining political control Of
chem, and then by bargaining with
pither of the political parties to have
The territories admitted as states. thus
obtaining the balance Of power in con-
gress. In my opinion the mormon
il more Of . political than re-
organization, and 1 am on
vinced that is reasonable.
NormonIsm Il opposed to all our in
lustries. particularly 70 mining. which
b the greatest on the Pacific slope. II
the mormons had the power they would
not permit an ounce of ore to be mined,
nor indeed would they allow any person
hostile to their peculiar institutions to
in their midst. am frequently
asked how in q free country like this
she mormon priesthood exercises 70
complete control over the followers Of
he church, 1t IL easy Of explanation.
The mormon population 4 largely made
Up Of the lowest and most superstitious
,lasses Of foreigners. In their own
countries they were accustomed to sub
nit to priestly domination or they
lived under q despotic government.
When brought TO America they = put
N the cars ut New York and taken Is
a. possible to Utah, where they
lre placed for settlement in exclustsely
mormon communities. They have seen
nothing and know nothing Of Ameri-
ideas and Institutions, and are per-
10 learn nothing Of them. They
ire visited constantly by mormon
their conduct is watched. and
u fact there is the most complete sys-
tenn Of espionage that could be possibly
1t is not surprising then that
they submit willingly to that which
they are accustomed to in the countries
from which they came; and. again be-
fore they came here they had nothing
probably which they could call their
own. Hereafter declaring their inten-
ton to become citizens, they take up
homes on government land. In this re-
Bpect their condition is infinitely better
than hefore and the mormon church re-
in the minds Of these ignorant
persons all the glory and credit for
this Improvement in their affairs.
In the organization, I believe the mem
bers Of it, who go through the endow-
ment HOUSE, take the oath of hostility to
tho government, and I have myself
heard reasonable doctrines preached in
the Salt Lake tabernacle. Ia my iudg-
ment 1t will Be necessary ultimately to
deal with the question from this stand
point, unless congress adopts immedia-
tely very effectual measures to preYent
the practice and spread Of polygamy, for
that Is the corner stone of the church.
gives all who join the so
ciety Of the community interest In the
crime, and that too is why the priests
insist 50 strsnuously on the practice Of
.olygamy. They know that interest in
the crime will strengthen the church
and make it better able to accomplish
Its designs.
Bear Lake county in Idaho Is popu-
exclusively by mormons. The