The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-15
LEGISLATING AGAINST THE NOR
MONS.

AGAINST THE MOk-
MONS.
The Utah commission, acting under
the Edmunds' law, has by its acts
given an impetus to Mormonism not
known before for many years. The
law therefore is a failure, and since it
can never be made to accomplish the
purpose for which it was intended it
should be repealed. 1t has so far had
but one effect-to bind the Mormons
more ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS than ever,
and to make those not practicing po-
lygamy the earnest and active defend
ers of those enjoying a plurality OF |
wives. This, at least, is the declara-
ton of Ex-Congressman Cannon, an |
elder in the Mormon church. The
commissioners in their report declare |
that the law has been put in force,
but that the results obtained, or that
are likely to be obtained, are by no
means such as were anticipated by
the friends of the law. Polygamous
Mormons were excluded from voting,
but Mormons were, nevertheless,
chosen to fill the offices. The terrific
rial legislature is under the control of
the Mormons and will obey implicitly
the directions of the Mormon leaders.
The central idea Of the Edmunds law
is that the polygamus Mormons, rath-
er than be excluded from the offices
and deprived of the ballot, would
abandon polygamy. The leaders
thanked the idea by making the polyg-
amists believe that they are martys
and that it is their religious duty to
endure whatever deprivations the
government may impose on them.
At the same time the Mormons who
do not practice polygamy were i'm
pressed with the Importance of sus-
taing their polygamous brethren. The
result is that polygamy is as strongly
fortified as ever it was. In fact, it IS
more strongly fortified, because Nor
mons who were Indifferent to po-
lygamy, and even lukewarm with
respect to the church itself, have
become aggressive defenders of both.
OF course there are Mormons who will
not practice polygamy, but they love
their religion, that recognizes the
right of man to enjoy plurality of
wives, and they feel that government
has no right to interfere. They con-
tend. that while Christian faiths
discountenance polygamy the Word
of God is by no means against
a plurality of wives, and that laws
made to suit predominant classes in
this country should not be enforced
against sect or a church whose re
ligious faith is il antagonism tt
these laws. The Bible, upon the pre-
cepts of which most laws of civilized
countries are based, gives examples
where the chosen people practicet
polygamy as Mormons have never
practiced it. Such arguments az
these, and they are powerful ones, are
resorted to by the Mormons, and a:
Elder Cannon saysl "Mormans ever
hostile to polygamy, voted in its inter
est because they felt they are being sub
jected unrighteously TO persecution
1t seems also that the Interpretation
given the law, making it apply to per
SONS who have not been violators o.
the law against polygamy since thu
Edmunds law went into effect, bu
who were polygamists prior to tina
time, has had bad effect. 1t serve:
to sustain the assertions of the leaders
that the government is prosecuting
them. and is trying to drive them int
the commission of acts OF violenc,
that will justify the employment O.
troops against them. The commission
ers admit the inadequacy of the Ed
munds law, and want more legislation
But it is the opinion of good lawyer
that the Edmunds law is unconstitu
tional, and that an appeal to the su
preme court would cause judicia
declaration to this effect. Judge Jer,
Black was for many years counse
for the Mormons, and he boldly asser
ted the unconstitutionality of thu
Edmund's law. What the result viii
be will not Immediately appear. Con
gress may attempt to make this Law
stronger, but, with the weight of au
thority against it, it looks like foil.
to attempt such legislation. In thu
meantime the Mormons are growing
in power and in determination to de
fend their religion in all its aspects
embracing polygamy. They are {
hardy and bold people, ready tt
die for their cause, and in the consid
Grafton of the question the prospec
of war, bloody, merciless and to thu
death, as one alternative, must be con
templated. The power of tn
United States is so great as to maxi
us contemplate but one end, but t.
reach that end it would take billions
OF money and a multitude of lives. L
law can not stop polygamy the sworC
can, but who would desire to engag
in religious war against men Wit
claim that in maintaining only few
wives, they do as did Solomon ant
David and other grand old men, WIT
had their hundreds? Who hopes tt
die in such cause?