The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-11-18
reLYeAmY.
CaEYEssE. nov. u, I'd,

A suggestion has been made that it
would be good. wise policy to combat
the growth Of polygamy upon the
theory that desperate diseases require
unusual remedies) by introducing the
backwood's principle of fighting fire
with ire, viz, in appointing President
Joseph Smith, of Lamorie. Iowa. to the
position OF governor Of Utah territory.
President Smith, Is is well known, is at
the head Of the recognized church of
Latter Day Saints, q religious body that
holds the general principles Of faith in
common with the Utah mormons, with
the exception OF polygsmy. to which
they are unalterably opposed This
reconstructed church is spoken Of as q
body OF earnest and able men, and 1
am informed that they are already
making inroads upon the Brighamites.
II this be 50. the question arises. would
it not be sound policy for the general
government TO aid In the PRONUNCIATION
of the new faith In Utah BY such en-
couragement as could be given without
violation of the principle of non-inter-
ference in matters Of religion?
The kind OF ~countenance Of which 1
speak is practically the same as was
given to the Quakers, when men Of that
body were selected to act as Indian
agents; or to the Methodists, when
Bro. Human was selected by Gen.
Grant TO visit the consuls Of the United
States for the purpose Of inspecting
their several ofices. But these ap
pointments were no more an endorse
meut of the religious views Of the
Quakers and Methodists by the govern
ment, than the appointment of Elder
Smith to the governorship Of Utah,
would be an endorsement Of the recon-
structed church.
1t is true that by the selection Of
Quakers as Indian agents, increased
opportunities were afforded them OF
introducing their peculiar views; but,
at the same time, other denominations
were In NJ manner prohibited from
occupying the same field Of religious
labor. 50 that 30 far as that precedent
goes, the question Of endorsement Of a
particular branch Of religious doctrine
could not be entertained as an objection
to the appointment referred to. II it
Is an objection, then, what apology has
the government to offerf
Upon the other hand, many reasons
exist why indirect aid and countenance
should be given to the reconstructed
church to disseminate their faith in
Utah. the principal n being that all
other branches Of religion are virtually
excluded, 1t being next to impossible
for them to get q foothold, for the rsa-
son that the Brighamites have COM
PEELED their followers to ignore the
Gentiles. even to refuse to listen to
these teachings; the consequence is that
the great majority Of Brighamite NOR
mons will not. through fear of paying
the penalty, disregard the commands
laid upon them. How severe this PEN
asty is, is well known to those ac-
quainted with the practices OF the
Brighamites.
The Presbyterian denomination have
a mission In the San Pete valley, and q
number Of the mormon children attend
the school, but the success Of the enter
prise is as yet problematical on account
Of the opposition, as the mormons in
varirbly withdraw their children from
attendance upon the first Indication
that religion Is being taught.
The adult mormon is 50 riveted and
grounded IN his faith that even II not
ordered TO close his ears to gentle
teaching, snch teaching could never
reach his heart or brain. This being
50 what is the remedy for us to apply to
this exclusiveness so that WI can reach
the foul disease Of polygamy. 1 believe
that 1t lies In the principle Of a back
fire. The commands against gentiles
cannot DO made to apply to brother moi
mons. The doctrines and principles Of
the Reconstructed church are indenti-
cal with those Of the Brighamites save
only that Of polygamy and the new
faith "a and have opportunities for
propagation that cannot be extended to
any other, and I believe that ultimately
we must rely npon 1t as the chief agent
for the destruction of polygamy and
would 1t not be better to encourage this
best and most feasible method Of rid
ding the nation Of the remaining twin
relic, than to stand idly by for another
generation.
Nearly 20 years have elapsed since
congress passed q law prohibiting polyg-
amy In the territories, and yet that
law has been imperative because 1t was
found impossible to obtain evidence to
convict. No record is kept OF polyga-
nous marriages., so we are informed by
u mormon apostle, and apparently no
law can be framed Of q general nature
that will meet the case. A great point is
sought to be made by the same people
that President Arthur will take steps in
the near future to suppress polygamy.
What a he do but enfore the laws Of
congress, and is he any more capable Of
doing what could not be accomplished
by Lincoln, Grant or Hayesp That he
will do his duty 90 far as he can we all
believe; but that he can perform what
were impossibilities to former presi-
dents is too much for US to hope. How