The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-20
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Mormonism and the Drink Traffic.
TO the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal
lam inclined to the opinion that the Republic
an party, as represented by it's acts in Congress
and State Legislatures, is too much given to
"resolute" on evils that they have never Sc
riousy grappled with. There has been enou gh
wind In the shape Of speeches,
editorials aud statute laws about
giving a free ballot to the oolored race.
and about suppressing polygamy, to make a
score of cyclones; yet the one cannot vots in the
South exc ept as permitted by the rebellious, de-
FAINT white people, aud in Utah and in other
Territories confessed lecherous traitors, who
have organized an independent state or govern
ment, defy all United States laws not agreeable,
and have never been seriously modest ed. The
government at Washington really admits
it's inability TO suppress Mormon traitors. 1t
might have been wise and humane to let the
leading rebels of 1861 go unpunlsh ed, or 1T
might have been unconstitutional TO court-mar-
tial the leaders and had them shot; but If it
would have BEEN then our constitution needs
another amendment that would apply to trait
ors like jeff Davis and the Mormon leaders.
Not being lawyer, may not understand such
things, but the practical way to close up the set
Element of such "unpleasantness" that of
1861 and that of the Mormon rebels, would be
to eourt-martial and shoot the leaders, any let a
future generation discuss and decide It's consti-
tntion atty.
The Mormon treason will never be suppressed
except by blOodshed, and if our Republic
an leaders had been statesmen,
equal to their opportunities, the Nor
mon Turks would have furnished scores
of martyrs before this time. Deprving Nor
mon libertines of voting aud jury privileges will
suppress polygamy about the time that license
will suppress the evils of the saloon traffic.
Both Of these giant evils need heroic treat
ment, aud the Republican press that denounces
Mormonism, and has kind or apologize words
for the traffic, does not deserves the support of
Christian people. There is just as much respect
due to a Mormon traitor as there is due to the
distller, bEe wer or salOnn-keeper, and our poll
ticians or press that desire the votes support
Of the drink traffic, and complain of the fanati-
cism of the temperance people, would become
apoOgists for MOrmonsm IL they were in our
midst and had votes. If NOT. why not9
There certainly are abundant reasons
why women should use more exertion
and feel more interest, do more work to suppress
drunkenness and close up Saloons than to over
throw polygamy, because there is scarcely II
woman in the land that has not suffered from
the drink traffic, while not one In 10000 have
from polygamy.
But for the support and defense the liquor
traffic gets from political parties and the press,
1t would be outlaw in every State OF the
Union before ten years. If this assertion be an
approximation TO the truth, what a crime must
IL be for spectacle citizens to help sustain it
and stand between it and an outraged people2
and polygamy should be dealt with in earnest.
Let us stop throwing turf and try what virtue
there is in rocks. ct b. +. SPENCER.
VERSAILLES. Ind. --v---s-ss-zs----ss~