National Republican., 1883-12-13
The Mormon Evil.

Several measures dealing with tho chronic
Mormon trouble have been introduced in
each branch of congress. Mr.. Resecrans pro-
poses to do away with polygamy by pro-
hibitory amendment to the constitution 1t
is to be doubted whether such q measure
would be any more effective than the pro-
hibitory laws now on the statute books. The
Mormons laugh at the laws. They will
hardly treat an amendment with moro re-
spect. Most of the bills deal with polygamy,
others propose Limitations and changes in the
right of franchise.
From the temper of all parties, it is likely
some sort Of legislation will be enacted, but
mere tinkerng with details will be ineflec-
tive We have had thirty years of such legis-
lation now, only TO see tho evil aimed at grow
and prosper until it is no longer confined to
Utah, but is becoming strong in Arizona,
Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.
Plainly something moro decided and vig-
orous must be done by our law-givers, A
br oader Wow of the Mormon question must
be taken. All legislation has heretofore been
aimed at the suppression of polygamy. But
that is only one branch of the Utah evil, II
is time to recognize the fact that the Mormon
church is essentially political organization
hostile to the government and people of the
United States, and that polygamy Is only a
part OF their polity. Thousands of its sub
jects have been recruited in foreign lands
and transported to Utah under such crcum
stances that their only change of allegiance
has been from their old countries to tn,
Mormon church. 1t does not recognize tho
United States as o factor in such cases, ant
tho new subjects are taught to look on thu
federal government as n foreign power will
usurped authority from the beginning
This hostile political power has complet'
framework of laws, independent of, and-t
its subjects-superior to the laws of th'
United States. 1t levies and collects taxes
takes possession of the public domain, and
recognizing American citizens only as Gen
tiles" resents their coming into Utah as a
lHlIuolou VI ihNSiloPlhS ioiSiehNS' A'' Po"N
of corporeal punishment for infraction of il
} laws is far more dreaded aud more Gertaipl
, exercised than the laws Of the United States
All this and more, too, in tho same lin
l should be recognized by congress,
' If large body of foreigners should com
to our land, not for the purpose Of hecomin
0 citizens, but as denying the supreme powt
of the United States from the beginning, an
should move onto and take possession of
part of tho public domain, and there set up
government of their own, there is no dou'
they would quickly be suppressed by the ii
dignant American government
Yet we believe that practically such a CO.
dition of affairs now exists in Utah, with Il
addition that besides vigorously axercisiI
the functions of their own hostile COVER
, ment, tho MOrmons have been weakly pc
; mitted to coptrol the the territorial maehi
cry also as a sort of barrier between the
y own and the United States government.
Legislation to be effective must deal wi
this hostile power, of which polygamy is b
q part, as whole, Some measure must
devised that will reduce their rebelliousTul'
at to obedience to the laws they defy and p
f. against Anything less sweeping will simE
is meet the fate of the legislation of the pa
10 And one Of the frst things that should