Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-02
SANITY SINNERS.
An Address from John Taylor, the Nor.
moi President, to His Brother
Polygs,
Advising Them to Obey the Laws, but
to Remain Steadfast to the
Faith.

SALT LAKE, UTAH, September 1.-The
following extracts are taken from al address:
TO the Latter Day Saints, signed by John Tsy.
lor, George O. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith
published in the church Last evening:
There have been many times in our past
history when great exigencies have srisen
and it has been the imperative duty of the
first presidency of the Church Of Jesus Christ
OF latter day saints to give plain and pointed
counsel TO the people over whom, in the
providence of God, they have been called to
preside. A condition of affairs exists at the
present time which makes it eminently
proper that we, as the first presidency of the
Church, should address you this epistle. The
Edmunds Law, designed for the repression
religion by disfranchising all per-
sous in the Territory or other places
over which the United States have
exclusive Jurisdiction, who had adopted in
obedience to the requirements of their relig-
ion, the principle Of celestial marriage, be-
came the law of the land on March %, 1882
As the law required, Eve mmissioners, &C.
lected BY the president and confirmed By the
Senate, we're sent TO this Territory to enforce
It's provisions. As Church we have re-
peatedly testified in the most solemn manner
that the Institution of marriage, which the
law is aimed at has been revealed to us by
the Almighty, and that il Is q part of our
religion; that it is interviewer with our dear
est and hottest hopes connected with eter-
nifty, snd that not from any lustful motives,
but because we believe we should incur the
eternal displeasure of our heavenly father if
we did not comply with its requirements,
we have espoused this doctrine. II has been
argued by those who are ignorant of the true
nature OF this doctrine, and how insepartely
connected it is with all our hopes of eternal
happiness in that world beyond the tomb,
that this is not a part of our religion; that
this system of marriage is not religion; that
it is an immoral and an odious practice that
is shocking TO the religious sense of the ma
tion and TO the civilization of our age, and
that legislation formed for its repression and
,extirpation should be enacted. The Federal
Legislature has therefore passed this act
The Federal executive has affixed to it
his signature. In regard to our reli-
gion or our eternal covenants we have
no compromise to make nor prin-
ciples TO barter away. They emanate
from God, and are founded upon the rock of
eternal ages. They will live and exist when
empires, powers and nations shall crumble
and decay, and with the help of the Al
mighty We will guard sacrediy our covenants
and 10 aintain our interests and be true to our
God while time exists and eternity endures.
Let us guard we'll our franchise, and in one
uubroken phalanx M aintain and sustain our
political status. and as patriots and freemen
operate together IN defense of what few lib
critics are left TO US, in the defense of the
constitution and the defense of the inalien-
able rights of man, which rights always ex-
ist and are above and before all constitu-
tions, and thus to perpetuate to posterity the
inestimsble blessings If freedom, including
the right to live, the right to be free, and
the great right to pursue happiness un-
molested by any influence, power or COM
binaiion.
All this racket is because the commissioners
prescribed the following oath: 81 being fret
duly sworn Tor affirmed) depose and say that
am over twenty lone years of age and have
months, and in the precinct of - one
month preceding the - hereof, aud (if a
male) am a native-born or naiuralIz I'd las
the case may bel citizen of the United States,
and taxpayer in this Territory; or if fe-
male, am native-born or naturaiized, or
the wife, widow or daughter, as the case may
be, of native-born or naturalized citizen
of the United States, and / do further
solemnly swear or affirm that / am
not a bigamist or polygamist;
that am not violater of
the laws of the United States prohibiting
bigamy or polygamy; that do not live or
cob abit with more than one woman in the
marriage relation, nor does any relation ex-
list between me and any woman which has
been entered into or continued IN violation
of said laws of the United States prohibit
ing bigamy or polygamy; and of 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
concerning polygamy or bigamy."