Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-01
.'EEIgher Laws, Among thc MORMON.

AN ADDRESS BY THEIR LEADERS DEFENDING
foLYGAHY NO COMPROMISE TO MAKE AND NO
PRINCIPLES 10 BARTER AWAY.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, Sept 1.-The following
extracts are taken nom an address TO the Latter
Cannon and Joseph +. Smith, published in the
church last evening:
There have been many times in our past history
When great eXigencies have arisen, and it has
been the imperative duty of the nrSt presidency
OF the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
to the people over whom, I'm the provf-
dence OF God, they have been called to preside
A condition OF affairs exists at the present time
which makes its eminettly proper that we, as the
ilrst presidency OF the church, should address you
this epistle The Edmunds law, designed for the
repression and destruction OF a portion of your
religion by DISTINGUISHING all persons In the terri
tory or other places over which the United States
obedience to the requirements OF their religion,
the principles or celestial marriage, became the
law OF the land on March ed, 1882 AS the law re-
quired flve commissioners, selected by the presi-
dent and confirmed by the Senate. were sent to
this territory to enforce its provisions AS church,
we have repeatedly testified In the most solemn
manner that the institution OF marriage which
the law is aimed at, has been revealed to us
py the Almighty, and that IL is part OF our reli
glon; that 1t Is interviewer with our dearest and
hoilest hopes connected with eternity, and that
not from any lustfIll motives but because we be-
neve n, we should incur the eternal dispeasure of
its requirements, we have espoused this doctrine
It has been argued by those who are ignorant of
the true nature OF this doctrine, and how insep-
arably connected it is with all our hopes OF eter-
nal happiness In that world beyond the tomb:
mat this Is not part OF our religion; that this
system OF marriage is not iyion; that 1t is an
immoral and odfous practice that is shocking
TO the religious sense OF the nation and to
the civilization OF our age, and that
legislation framed for its repression and extirpa-
ton should be enacted. The federal legislature
has therefore passed this act ana the federal ex-
ecut1ve has affixed to il his signature. In regard
TO our religion or our eternal covenants, we have
no compromise to make nor principles to barter
away. They emanate from God. and are founded
upon the rock OF eternal ages. They will live and
crumble and decay; and with the help OF the Al
mighty we VIII guard sacredly our covenants and
maintain our interest, and be true to our God
Whlie time exists or eternity endureS Let us
guard well our franchise and I'm one unbroken
phalanx maintain and sustain political status,
and as patriots and freemen operate together in de-
1enSe or what few liberties are left to us fn the
deIenSe or the constitution and In the defense OF
tne lnallenable tights OF man, which rights always
exist and are above and before all constitutions
blessings OF freedom, including the right to live
the right to be free, and the right to pursue happ
ness, unmolested by any influence, power or COM
blnation."
This Illumination is said to have been caused by
the commissioners prescribing an oath for those
who are to testify, In which they are required to
swear or affirm as follows: 81 do further Solemny
swear or affirm that am not bigamist nor a DO
lygamlst; that / am not vioatOr OF the laws OF
tne United states prohibiting bigamy or poyga-
one woman in marriage relation, nor does any re-
latlOn exist between me and any woman which
mas Deen eLtered into In violation OF, or is con-
unuance or violation OF, said laws OF the United
states prohibiting bigamy or polygamy, and Qf a
woman) that / am not the wife OF pOlygamist
nor have entered into relation with any man In
violation OF the laws OF the United States concern
Ing polygamy or bigamy."