The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-14
THE WAR WITH THE SAINTS.
Mormon Leaders Raliying Their Followers
Persecution for the Weak Ones.
Sale I axe civ Correspondence Denver Tribune.

Salt take City Correspondence Denver Tribune
Throughout this city there is feeling of
unrest and apprehension. There are daily con
ferences OF Mormon leaders in all the various
wards; there other gatherings weekly in
which the results of the ward meetings are dis
cussed. No effort is spared to reach conclu-
sion to which the whole Mormon force can be
held in unbroken line The outcome of all this
Is feared by the people. Those fully understand
ing the ways of the people who have lived and
profted upon the Mormon issue for full gene
Tatiou know there IS no danger of physical con-
Hct between the two classes of residents here,
or anything else threading to personal safety.
Mormons may try 10 more thoroughly boycott
their gentle neighbOrs in business and social
lie than was attem pied in 1882 or 1883; but this
e all IN that direction, and is not serious in
1tseit GENTLE politicians endeavor TO create
alarm to secure National sympathy; this reacts
In Salt Lake City aud causes a feeling of unrest
cutie detrimental TO public interests In reality
the loyal citizens of Utah have nothing to ,ear
beyond the ordinary results of hard times IL IS
the Mormon managers who are now, anu axe
likely 70 continue in trouble.
When Orson Arnold last spring went into
Judge Zanes court pleaded guilty, promised
1bedience to the laws, ard was dismissed Win
Sri6ing fne there were scores OF polySamlsts
VINO oDonlv or privately decided to follow his
example. 1 know that Bishop Hendricks of
Richmond said he would do so, and have reason
to believe that Bishop Sharp, of Salt Lake
reached this decision. There can be no question
that Mr. Dinwoody and several others returned
from their voluntary exile, determined to plead
guilty and 20 promise 70 obey the laws. Had
this course been left unchecked, it would have
been hard to find an avowed polygamist at the
close Of this current year.
Bat the presidency of the church quick to
meet the emergency. II will be as little to the
advantage Of the Mormon managers as to the
profit or the gentle leaders to settle this veXed
question; and the swift influence of the heads of
the church was at once made manifest. Arnold
Was denounced. not as a renegade apostate,
but a. weak, foolish and misguided man. The
church was too great and too magnanmous to
punish an act Of thoughtlessness, but such
thing must not happen again. -Four weeks later
Bishop Hendricks stood trial and went to the
Idaho penitentiary; Others went to the L tab
prison, and Bishop Sharp, Henry Dinwoody and
Others lave pleaded not guilty and know that
trial at the fall term the inevitable sig
months among felons.
1t is feared that Henry Dinwoody will finch.
lie IS wholesale furniture dealer in this city,
and is WORT. $3.50 000 He is lover Of ease and
comfort, and has arrived at an age when men
begin to thoroughly enjoy the results Of sue
cesstul and laborous business life. He is said
to be disguised with Rud. Clawson. his son-in-
law, who is serving long term for polygamy.
and whose legal wife has secured a divorce:
and it will add much to the horror of prison life
to be shut up fol SIX months with his daughters
discarded husband. Yet if Mr.. Dipwoody sub
mits to the law there will be an army of men
to tread in his footsteps, and this must be pre-
vented.
1t is easy to see, therefore, that the Mormon
councils have enough to discuss. The power
behind these councils is enormous. There are
doubtless, $4,000 men who enrolled in what
is known as the Order of the Melchzedeck
Priesthood. IN the Endowment House, at Salt
Lake City, or in one of the Utah temples.
through solemn ceremonials. and in the pres
ence OF men they fear all these men have taken
VOWS of obedience which they hold higher than
the obligations OF human law. They hold within
themselves powers OF which they are hardly
conscious. but which sufficient q make x
istence living death to the Mormon resident of
Utah who defies it.
If there is amy one thing preached to the
Mormons with greater persistence than another
1t is this, which is heard in every Mormon meet
ing, i'll every place. and at all oCcasiOnc-"Obey
the Priesthood" They have repeated and re
iterated this for years. hardly knowing why.
Now they know its usefulness What
ever pressure the Mormon councils see
fit to apply to the polygamsts will be
put on without mercy. and backed by
the whole Mormon body. Every detail will be
agreed upon-overy man will know his work
and there will be no forbearance hereafter to-
ward the polyeamist who pleads guilty in the
federal court promises to obey the law. In
brief, it may be safely prophesied that future
strife in Utah, if any exists, will be within the
Mormon church
The recert election in Utah again showed tho
unity of Mornonism There was no discussion
among the Mormons-no divided tckets-the
ballot prescribed by the church authorities
voted without scratch. The church can
didates of good personal character and
fair ability. Their value to the church lay in
the fact that without hesitation or debate, in
legislative counsels or county administrations,
they are and always will be "obelient to the
priesthood" An opposition was attempted by
what Is locally known as the young Democracy.
An oencst effort was made to get Utah born
young men to come out of the Mormon tyranny,
and vote ticket which would represent some-
thing besides the old Church and anti church"
issue. The new party was not'very we'll man
aged, and thouSh its aims were ir the main
patriotic ard laudao,>, there is little in its be-
ginnings to give promise o. future growth.