The Portland daily press., 1882-02-25
THE TWIN RELIC.
The Polygamists of Utah Aroused.
DESPERATE EFFORT TO PRESERVE
THEIR PECULIAR INSTITUTION.

SALT LAKE, Feb. 24-On Wednesday, at the
word of command, petitions praying Congress
to halt in legislating for U tab were presented
at probably every house in the Territory. Inc
children in all the Mormon schools were MADE
to sign. or their names were signed for them.
Gentiles were asked to sign, and probably
black list made of such as declined, while
many names representing nobody will appear
on these petitions. There is under church
pressure an apparent unanimity among the
Mormons in demanding to be let alone. Bush
ness men are being accosted, and their fears
worked up by threats of an uprising, of os-
tracism in business and in every other way. 1t
cannot be learned that single Gentle busi-
ness house has signed, however. Bishop
Sharp. went East some days since, presum-
ably to bring the railroad interest to the rescue
of polygamy and church rule Apostle Thatch-
er went on to-day to stir up the business
houses interested in Mormon trade. Apostle
Smith went to Washington to keep Brother
Cannon company. Sundays preaching atthe
Tabernacle by Apostles Wells and Thatcher
affirmed that the sum of Mormon diSloYalty
was their adherence to Jesus Christ. They
denounced Gov. Murray by name and de-
nounced the proposed legislation by Congress
subversive of liberty, and appealed from the
decision of the Supreme Court respecting poly
gamy to the court in which Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob sat. In the legislature since the
adoption of a joint resolution asking for IN
vestigation;" joint committee has been APP
pOlut6Q W dIIduBo iOi tioiuiAS No~oo SoA-'oN
ton for the organization of a State govern
ment, and to demand admission into the
Union on the ground that Congress is required
by the Constitution to guarantee to every
State q Republican form of government.
There are no signs of concession, but super
human efforts to stave off action by Congress
without concession.
Gentle Sentiment.
On the other hand the Genties are firm and
united At meeting thursday, in view of
the situation, they resolved that thanking the
Senate for the Edmunds bill, and members OF
both houses, and especially the judiciary COM
mittees of both houses, for their good will and
hearty efforts in behalf of the right, "We
declare our convictions that the bill
creating commission to super
sede the polygamous legislature OF
Utah is the only measure before Congress, or
that can be put before Congress- which will not
be evaded and nullified as easily as the present
anti-polygamy law is and has been. Pass that
bill and the Mormons will practically give up
the fight. They will disintegrate in spite OF
all they can do, and the Government showing
| itself Government, will soon have plenty OF
Mormon supporters A large proportion of
them are secretly praying, while signing petit
tions against it, for Congressional action so de-
| cisive as to enable them to come out in favor
OF it without fear. Pass any bill less sweeping,
| on the contrary and they will all be whipped
| in and kept in, and the long, wearisome fight
| against decency will grind on indefinitely. as
| in the past. Therefore, we most respectfully
| yet earnestly, urge the passage by Congress OF
| the Williams bill for commission pure and
| simple" 9