The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-02-09
GETTING RLOODTHIRSTY.


GETTING BLOODTHIRSTY.
Perhaps at no time heretofore in the his
tory of Mormonism has it met with so gen.
eral or bitter opposition as at the present
Not only have, the president and the press
spoken in unmistakable terms on the sub
iect but meetings are being held through
the north and northwest and the 'polyga-
nous gospel" is becoming the most fruitful
theme for pulpit eloquence and public dis
course. 1t is beginning to look now as II
the people were determined to wipe out
this alleged shame of the nation and some
thing will have certainly to be done in the
near future. But while this IS so ahG
all right ard proper, little caution
ought to be manifest. \ 1t is the old-time
conflict of the strongcr at t2mp.ng to force
their doctrinal beliefs upon the weaker by
force and arms, and If unsuitable at p-l 's
only so when the opinioEs$ .'.- ilces OF
the minority are openlF ~ Ho'oiiotsly III
onnosition to civip. .uun and coTuptiug to
GOOD morals tutsi5 of Utah nearly 3yery
one 10 .lislied that IL practice Of poly,
o.Ay and the questionable precepts OF the
Book of Mormon are in this country in
violation of good taste, injurious to the state,
corruptive ofmorals and ought to be stopped.
But in and around Salt Lake thousands of
people are to be found who think differ
emily, and the majority OF them are nm
doubtedly conscientious in their views. I'm
der such circumstances it is not good policy
to hastily and harshly attempt to destroy the
opinions and tear down the temples of the
people who imagine they are serving God,
and that their choice of the manner of the
service is guaranteed to them and is worthy
of protection by the constitution Of the
United States. We think ourselves that
the general results of such religious sys-
TEN are bad and lily calculated to reach
or accomplish the great purposes of
a pure faith, such as the enrolling of
woman or purifying of man or increasing
the sacredness and hallowed surroundings
OF home and family ties, lifting the soul
into clearer atmosphere of thought and
love, but we should not like to see those
who differ with us on these matters see
upon by the mob or armed authority, and
their families scattered, their firesides torn
down, their freedom of belief and thought
taken away from them and their prop
erty, perhaps, confiscated. This is the
most approved style among the Mo-
hammedans, themselves polygam'sts
too, Of dealing with conflict
ing faith, but it is not the Christian way.
lift be a religious question, let the mis-
sionary and the theologian settle it. If it
is political in its bearings, the statesman
must reach a solution OF the trouble. As
an eyinence of the bloodthirsty character
which the new crusade against Utah is as
suming, we cite the instance Of DIR. Crosby,
of New York, who contended the other day
thar Pun. SHERIDAN with 1900 soldiers
should be dispatched at once to Salt Lake
with instructions to put down Mormon
ISM" To send such man with
such instructions would simply mean
butchery as perhaps one OF our
neighboring states would be too willing
to testify, or as even Texas is pre-
pared to admit, and no ono knew this fact
better than the gentleman who made the
suggestion. And yet he has no doubt often
preached a beautiful sermon on the dis
tressing rarity of Christian charity" OIL
course no one supposes that such PROPOSE
ton would ever have any other effect than
to excite comment, but it only serves to
show how intolerant and bloody we boosted
disciples OF free thought, free religion and
tree government are after all. There is no
a. sssN. Of N
ion in matters Of morality, and no matters
entitled to greater liberality of view. The
most practical and sensible way TO deal
with the subject under consideration would
be, il seems 70 us, 10 send joint committee
of the senate and house Of representatives
composed OF the best members, to Utah,
with full powers TO investigate the whole
question in all its bearings, and let them
suggest such remedy as the case demands
and law and common justice permit. II
such reports as We have from tie latter day
saints be- correct, the sooner the pruning
knife IS applied The better, br they
are truly obstacles 10 civilization
but not one man in ten ia the older
portions Of the Union knows anything def.
mite about the matter. We go along with
the tide. and stop No. 20 reflect upon tie
difficulties and intrcac.es, as well 81 tie
possible injustice. Of our course. An eE-
haustive report by such a committee as suE-
rested woull aGorl tis rutlrrtic Informs
ZION upon which o. base CTR cOIumeuis ard
action ofths future. and we trust that some
one either in the senate or house viii move
its appointment. Il Is due to the outside
world e. vel as the Mormons that some
ding Of tliis kind should be done that we
may truthfully learn what manner Of men
they are out there