The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-21

LII ANO ~ VII 40
words what is meant in
this declaration, and apply it's ex-
pressed antagonism to its proper sub
iects in Texas
CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE.
Legislation against the Mormons |
has heretofore been a dead letter;
while federal statutes have been per-
sistently directed against Nor
monism and polygamY the faith
of the Latter Day Saints has
steadily gained converts, and polyg-
amy appears to be more permanently
fastened on the Mormon communi-
ties than ever before in their history.
Now, Mr.. Hoar's bill, which has been
presented to the Senate, claims atten-
ton, and it certainly contains some
provisions most extraordinary in their
nature, while it has several clearly in
the power of the government to Or
dain. In any prosecution for bigamy
or polygamy the lawful husband or
wife of the person accused shall be
competent witness. and may be COM
PEELED to testify; an attachment may
be issued for any witnesses, and their
immediate attendance compelled with
out previous subpoena when there is
reason to believe that they will unlaw-
fully fail to obey subpoena issued in
the usual course. The bill provides
for the certification of marriage in the
territories; also, for the annulment OF
all laws allowing women to vote in
Utah, and makes it unlawful for any
woman to vote at any cleo
ton in the territory. 1t annuls
all laws which provide that
prosecution for adultery can only be
begun by complaint of husband or
wife, and provides that such prosecu-
tions may be instituted in the same
way as pr osecutions for other crimes.
Such provisions are very good, and
polygamists may, though we doubt it,
be brought to feel the force OF the
statute, but when it is proposed that
the president shall, the Senate ratify-
ing the appointments, name fourteen
persons to act as trustees of the Nor
mon church, prescribing that they
shall hold their places for two years,
and shall report annually to the secre-
tary of the interior as to the property,
business affairs and operations of that
church, it is proposed to advance bold
" to the demolition of one of the
grandest safeguards of the constitu-
ton. There is a Mormon church
organization known as the Per-
petual Emigrating Fund Com
pany, which it is proved shall be
dissolved by federal force under color
of sort of legal proceeding by the az,
htorney general, so as tobring in the
| Intervention of a marshsls authority
to dispose of its effects, it being pro,
vided that any excess of money de-
rived from sale of such effects shall be
held in trust for the common schools
of Utah. Here is a direct attack upon
a purely religious organizations
purpose to place it's destiny in the
hands of commission with power
to direct its management, to prescribe
its course; and when it is known that
this commission is to be composed of
persons bitterly innimical to Nor
monism as a faith, it may be under
stood that there is proposed direct
attack upon a religious sect. The
constitution guarantees perfect relig.
ious freedom, and it would be as revo-
lutionary to propose that a commits
sion of Hardshell Baptists should ad.
minister upon the affairs Of
the Roman Catholic church as to
contemplate the supervision contained
in this bill. The proposed dissolution
of the emigration society is as high
handed as to declare that the Method
list church, north, shall no longer have
the right to send missionaries among
the heathens or to labor in behalf OF
lost and ungodly Texans. Neither the
affairs of the church nor of the society
are of nature incompatible with the
free institutions of this country, and
the state has no right to init.
fere with Mormon worship,nor with a
Mormon business society, unless Their
relations conflict with the established
laws of the country. In dealing with
polygamy the greatest care should be
taken not to resort to measures en-.
dangering the boosted freedom of oul
institutions. In doing this Mormon
ism would not only be unlawfully at
tackled, but every persons free
dom in the entire union would
be outraged. Let us have the strongest
laws to suppress crimes and immoral
tiles, but let them be prescribed under
constitutional restrictions. AS the
Alcalde said OF Texas-"If the state Is
going to hell it will have to 60 there
by law"-so let it be said of Mormon
ism and all that pertains to it. Let il
go to perdition, but send it there under
the requirements of the constitution
Mr.. Hoar ought to be good constitu,
tlonal lawyer, but he is also good
Republic an, and that is enough to &C
count for his disrespect for the grand
old instrument.
|