Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-22
ANTT-MORMON SOCIETIES.


Lynch law is at all likely to affect
reformation in Utah-and the mum Der
who advocate an appeal to this law is
seriously large, but not seriously
active. It is a pretty well settled
fact that We can expect little from the
usual course of legislation. All laws
except Lynch law contemplate the
conviction of an offender by competent
evidence before his examination.
Competent evidence is what is lacking
in dealing with polygamous Mormons.
In general way leading Mormons
admit the practice of polygamy and
glory in it-but while we know that
the laws in relation to polygamy are
violated persistently, it is impossible
to secure direct testimony affecting a
particular offender. The law devised
by Senator Edmond, prohibiting the
exercise of the right of suffrage by
polygamists, is practically imperative
or the same reason. The Edmunds'
law is necessary as a formal protest
against unreachable system of evil,
but there has at no time been any
confidence in its efficacy, The Nor
mon Church is a menace to American
civilization, it enforces obedience to
an authority antagonistic to the au-
thority of the United States and
advocates practice prohibited by the
laws Of the country, and it prevents
the extension of American enhghten-
ment into the territories where the
Mormon Church has fastened itself.
Congress appears to be powerless be-
fore it, and it is not surprising that
many persons who feel deeply the
disgrace should advocate a resort to
violence
Nothing is ever gained by violence
when any other course is open. And
there is, in all probability. very
much better way than Lynch law.
The society organized at Cleveland
has for its present object appeals by
the whole people to Congress for APP
propriate legislation. There is nothing
that Congress can be called upon to
do except to consider such measures as
the lawyers of Senator Edmunds'
standing may propose. 1t is not like
~ that any effective remedy will be
discovered by them. The logical end
of the Cleveland organization is very
different from it's present one-it is
the settlement of the Mormon territor-
les with an influential and numerous
body of men. If the organization IS
extended till it embraces all those who
are deeply impressed with the evil of
Mormonism, it will certainly find the
best solution of the problem, and
without a resort to violence.
After vain appeals to Congress to do
that which is impossible, this extensive
organization. contributing a large fund j,
will pour anti-polygalnists into Utah
and Idaho, where their civilizing in
fuences and their political power will
destroy the last vestige Of polygamy
as an institution of the Mormon
Church.
In the hope of some such end to
the evil, the extension of the Cleve-
land organization is seriously urged.
Every city and village. every commun-
ity IN the country, should have its
anti-polysamy society as a part of a
general society, the aim of which is
the removal of this blot from the re-
cord Of our civilization. The feeling
is widespread that to delay taking
more decided steps is disgracefuI and
this appears to be the only practicable
movement which gives promise of the
final extinction of polygamy. 1t is
easy now to organize these societies,
for the subject of Mormonism has
been discussed with vigor during the
past few years and the American con.
science is awake Milwaukee Sentinel
We acknowledge the RECENT of The