Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-03
THE TWIN RELIC.
nalowell Holds a Mass Meeting and
Earnestly Denounces Polygamy,


| -. "s W consluer the question
Vi Mormonsm. The meeting being called 10
order by Rev. Mr.. Burr, VIM. Wilson. ESQ
| was elected chairman and Rev. H. Y. Emmons
secretary.
orville d. Baker, Esq, of Augusta. being
introduced said: This is matter of growing
! Importance IN its capacity for evil. If il is
10 De dealt with, the time is nor. Utah is a
Territory, no State rights are involved. and
tie government can deal with it in regard to
any acts that are of a criminal nature. Nor.
monisn Is said to be religion and so cannot
be dealt with. If this be so, anv band of
thieves or murderer who might rob and
XIII as matter of religious belief. would he
unpunishable. Such claim for Mormoni.m
Is oaseless, for the government has full and
perfect right and authority to crush any GRIM
inal institution. Congress has full power to
legislate on this subject, and ought to do so.
On motion of Mr.. Burr, committee of
three, consisting of Messrs. Burr, Martin
and Rowell. was appointed by the chair to
prepare resolutions.
Rev. Mr.. Emmons spoke of the strange
ness that Anglo Saxons, descendants of those
who had warred against the Turks eleven
centuries ago, should be the ones to foster
within our country such a Turkish institu-
ton, and that men from moral New England
should be its pioneers. 1t is said that the
flrst Mormons believed in their system as a
religious one. 1t is not so. 1t ha. been from
the outset scheme Of designing men for
their own emolument. Mormonism has no
claim TO be called a religion. Smith and
his associates were driven out OF various
places because of their dishonesty The
Book Of Mormon is a theft from other books
and compilation Of some 800 passages from
the English Bible, which portion is made use
Of on their PROSECUTING expeditions. Its
blasphemous system of theology is too wicked,
almost, to be spoken of. The three special
points of the Mormon power are: Its thor
ough organization, and its system of espion-
age over every individual within its domin-
ion; its missionary system by which from three
to four thousand converts have been gained
from intelligent people of England, n orw ay and
Denmark; and the tithing system by which
the Mormon officers receive million and a
quarter for their own private uses. The re-
ligious tenets are mere pretense. Polyg-
amy is an essential part of Mormonism. Here
is this alien and hostile body in the United
States. For Is years the law has been over
them, but only two endorsements of it have
been possible in that time. The American
people are allowing it. There is no reason
to think that God will allow us to go I'M
punished if we permit such a thing TO go on
Mr.. Rowel said Out of l43 900 Mormons
ITO, 900 are in open defiance of the law, and,
as they think, with impunity. Out Of 36 in
their legislature, - are polygamists. The
as an idea but against polygamy crime.
We don't de al with mems opinions. Guiteau
had an inspiration. The jury did not con-
denim that--they condemned his crime. We
ask legislation against these people not for
being Mormons, but for being criminals
WHY should Utah be an exception to any
other section of country: One relic of bar
barism has been got rid of by civil war.
Now is the time to urge the subject on our
legislators.
Rev. Mr.. Martin: Would make no extend
ed remarks He would speak to show hi.
interest. We do not realize the Importance
of this evil Two families in Gorham in this
State have been broken up by it within two
-. hap
been made in the northern part of our State.
This evil comes home to us. 1t is right at
hand.
Rev. Mr.. White: Would only emphasize
what had been said He thought the bill now
before Congress would cover necessary
ground. When a bird iutters it is hit-the
Mormons have begun to memorabilia Con-
press in their turn. This taking away of
privileges of citizenship and office. he thought
would be effective. When we allow an evil
we become tainted with it. We cant consid-
or ourselves wholly innocent so long as we
suffer this to 60 on.
Rev. Mr.. Burr said This meeting was not
70 be a violent denunciation. but firm ex-
preston of our feelings. He was I'M
pressed with the power and resources OF
Normonsm, in forcing the system on even
those to whom poly is repugnant
so that. being participants in crime they
will be bound together as polygamsts as well
As Mormons The schools in Utah are wholly
in the hands of Mormons, and scholars are
t,uyht little else than the tenets ofthe Mormon
faith. There are no free schools. but high
tuition is exacted, tending to exclude and
keep in ignorance the poorer classes a
Mormon paper says: Teachers opposed to
the Mormon faith are not competent for
them. All the good done in education is done
nv mission schools laugh. by outsiders. IL
we bv our negligence have allowed all this ii
i, now our duty to make amends by especial
measures.
ON motion of Mr.. White the memorial
following was adopted unanimously;
| To the House of Representatives Of the tn"ed
| States IN Congress Assembled.
| Whereas. The system of Poiygamy for
more than 80 wears has cursed fair por-
| wifi