Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-22
poLyeAmy.
The National League Calls for Petitions to
C0naress.


CLEVELAND, Nov. l4.-A secret organi-
cation, called the National League, for the
suppression Of polygamy, at meeting this
afternoon considered letters from Boston,
Philadelphia, Chicago and other cities
promising cooperation and asking infor-
nation as to methods Of forming branches.
The following address to the public was
issued:
The time has come when action Is neees.
sary. The honor and fair name eff the Ma
ton are in danger. Licentiousness and to-
tai disregard of the law OF the land are
bringing us into disgrace among all people
of other countries. Europe, as in the days
Of slavery, is calling upon us in the name
OF decency to cleanse ourselves of a species
of foul corruption, which in foulness has
not been surpassed during the present CEN
tury. Ever since Jos. Smith, than whom
/ no greater fraud ever lived, established the
Mormon church, the fundamental doctrine
Of which is polygamy, there has rested up
on the Nation n stain which has been dis
grace to us and the civilized world. The
Mormon church has 1ourished like rank
vegetation, until to-day it has tens of thou
sands Of supporters and millions of money.
Converts in large numbers are being con-
Quoted to this country from pauper dis
tricts in Europe, while missionaries are
constantly employed in the South, mislead-
ing the poor and ignorant children to be
educated in the infamous practices of the
saints and elders and the church which was
founded in deceit, is daily gaining enor-
nous influence. The world cries out against
such progress and in the name of humani-
ty, home and common decency, demands a
halt in the rapid strides OF law-breaking.
The firesides of America are the bulwarks
of the Nations liberty, and interceding
agents for its redemption from existing
acts OF evil.
Let them remain uncontaminated by the
horrible influences now being spread by
sensual hypocrites and soulless charlatans.
As yet, Congress has taken but little inter.
est in the matter, for some reasons best
known TO the members OF the Legislature
An immense lobby of Mormon leaders sig.
niiied their intention to visit Washington
this winter, for the purpose OF defeating
bills introduced for the regulation of po
lygamy. a great deal OF money will be
spent, and if there is not popular upris.
ing against the obnoxious teachings and
practices OF Mormons, Congress will nc
doubt again refuse TO recognize the evil
and nothing will be done TO eradicate it,
In view of this the National League for the
suppression of polygamy, of Cleveland
urgently requests petitions to be circulated
in every city, town and school district in
the United States asking Congress to sub.
NIT to the Legislatures of the variou,
States an amendment to the constitution
prohibiting polygamy. This will be an i'm.
portant step. If accomplished it will pre-.
vent the institution from being recognized
in any Of the present States, or in the Ter.
ritorics that may become States hereafter
II is hoped the public will interest them
selves in this matter and see that Congress
is deluged with petitions during the com.
ing session. There is Il general demand
from all parts of the country for the aboli.
tion of polygamy. Congress will be com
PEELED to heed the demand, and the only
way to make such a demand is by means OF
extensively signed petitions.