Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-24
WICKED MORMONs.
In Ways That are Dark They Beat the
World.

SALT LAKE, UTAH, February 23.-Yester-
day, at the word of command, petitions pray
ing Congress to halt in legislating for Utah
were presented at probably every house in
the Territory. Children in all the Mormon
schools were made to sign or their names
to sign, ami probably a black List was made
Of such as declined. While many names rep
resentiug nobody will appear to the petitions,
there is, under the church pressure, an ap-
parent unanimity among the Mormons in
demanding to be let alone, but it is not
really numerous. The Mormon element
that desire the government to assert itself
are 50 hampered by their relations and sur
roundings, however, that they dare not
make a sign. They must be sure that the
power has departed from Israel. Business
men are being accosted to-day and their
fears worked up. There are threats Of
the upraisipg of ostracism in business
and in every other way. 1t cannot
be learned that q single Gentle business
house has signed. However, Bishop Sharp
went East some days since, presumably to
bring the railroad interest to the rescue of
polygamy and church rule. Apostle Thatcher
went on to- day to stir up the business houses
interested in the Mormon trade. Apostle
Smith went to Washington to keep Brother
Cannon company. Sundays preaching
st the Tabernacle by the Apostles
Wells and Thatcher affirmed that the sum of
Mormon disioyalty was their adherence to
Jesus Christ; denounced Governor Murray
by name, and denounced the proposed legis-
lation by Congress as subversive of liberty,
ETC.; appealed from the decision of the Su-
preme Court respecting polygamy to the
court in which Abraham. Isaac and Jacob
sit. In the legislature, since the adoption OF
the joint resolution asking for an investiga-
ton, a joint committee has been ap-
pointed to arrange for holding a
State convention, organizing the State gov
eminent, and demanding admission to the
Union on the ground that Congress ia re-
quired by the constitution to guarantee to
every State a republican form of govern
ment. There are no signs of concession, but
superhuman efforts to stave off action by
Congress without conce ssion. On the other
hand the Gentiles are firm and united. At
a meeting to-day, in view of the situation
they resolved 9Th t, thanking the Senate for
Senator Edmunds's bill, and the men,
bers OF both Houses, and especially
the Judiciary Committees of both Houses
in behalf OF our rights, we declare our con-
viction that the bill creating a commission
to supersede the polygamous legislature of
Utah is the only measure before Congress that
will not be evaded and nullifed a. easily as
the present apti-polygamy law is and has
been. Pass that bill and the Mormons will
practically give up the fight. They will dis
integrate in spite of all they can do,
and the government showing its power will
soon have plenty of Mormon supporters.
large proportion OF them are secretly praying,
while signing petitions against it, for con-
gressional action SO decisive rs to enable
them to come out in favor Of it without fear.
To pass any bill less sweeping, they will all
be whipped in, and kept in, and long, wear
isome fight against decency will grind on in
definitely as in the past Therefore, we most
vet earnestly. urge the passage
by Congress OF Willett's bill for a COM
mission, "pure and simple"