The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-12-16
CUTTING OUT PoLYGAMY.


i between Campbell and Cannon TO-
of Utah, from the :" ~.
N devoted to 1t In the Presid> ..,,.r.
d from the bills Senator ,,,. N.ss.re
ohe'eu III N""s Vest has so speed
,lygamous MOI tho, IN. ouestion Of
tentIon fr" ,oniso 70 n rscaive special !
esent .o,,, C,,,ross and the |
Administration. Straight Mormon !
i as expounded by Joseph Smith has ex-
isted since 1890; as expounded by Brigham
Young, with the polygamous annex, since
1852. although previous TO that 1t was Sc
crely practiced. 1t is not credtable that
from this latter date until now the United
States has not enforced among the Mormons
the law against the crime Of bigamy, which
Is done In every other Territory aud in every
Slate in the Union. The Latter-Day Nor
mons claim poIygamy as part of their reli-
gion aud take refuge behind their alleged
constitutional rights. They, or any other OF
the hundred secis in existence, might just as
properly claim any other crime to be part
Of their religion. Were it not an existent
fact the world could scarcely comprehend
that great civilized government would toll
crate the state of affairs existing in Utah and
be ballled by the shrewd criminals Of that
Territory.
Mormonism as a religion at its best seems
a most prepusterous piece of nonsense TO all
except Mormons. To them, OIL al least TO
the masses Of them, it is perhaps an aiI-suf-
fcient belief. As organized by Young The
Church is a protective, cooperative, indus
tial, and spiritual organization, equally
competent 10 supply carrot seed or save
souls. 1t cares for both the temporal aud
spiritual pait Of man, assisting its proselyses
picked up in the starvation corners Of Europe
| 10 reach Utah, earn subsistence, acquire
home, live seusually, and then promises
transportation direct to heaven by the MOT
mon route. This all goes under The name
of religion. But it is more than that.
Mormonism is political organization. The
believers in 1t place their allegiance to the
Mormon Church and the duly constituted
officers thereof above their allegiance 10 the
United States aud the laws thereof. This
they deny, but it is not the less true. One
element of this proposition is proven by
their persistence in polygamous marriages,
custom not only antagonistic to the primer
pies of all civilized people, but in direct de-
fiance of the law of the United States agains
bigamy. For years repeated efforts have
been made 10 eflace this stain on tue fai
fame of the country, and they have beer
foled. If that crime, which even their owl
Bible condemns, we've discontinued, the Nor
mon Church would doubtless be uumolested
despite its other ua-American and treasoua
BILE characteristics; but those who contro
public sentiment there, and have "rerela
TONS" aud collect tiihes, and such things
have persisted III retaining polygamy unit
this dav. We believe the time has nov
come when 1t will be suppressed. Preslden
Aithnr is a very busincss-lise kind Of aPre:
ident. There is no other very important dc
!, nestle matter pressing and he avows hispu
= pose to aid in suppressing the "twin relic.
: The work has already commenced in Cor
gress by the introduction by Senator Vest {
bills embodying President Arthurs recon
mendations aud which 60 10 the loot OF I'll
=, matter in preventing bigamous ma iace
These measures will become laws aud If I'll
= Mormons are wise they will obey them.
they cease to take plural wives it probab
the polygamous marriages heretofore col
tracted will not be interfered with and II
= legitimacy Of offspring will be recognize
:, while continued defiance Is certain 10 Ell
y. disastrously. The polygamisis have playe
:. he role of the lively flea very well 81
;, Uncle Sam is weiting his fingers at last al
they will be caught. 1t may be at'ihe bin
Ing on some of the luxurious Bishops to 81
= a fresh young girl without marrying her. b
it is necessary to submit to 1.-THE powers "
r wren They cross over jordan. Whether
y is or not, decent regard for the sentimel
a of civilization aud The laws of the count
: must be bad. Polygamy has run to the Ell
: of its teLher and it will be suppressed If it
II not abandoned.