The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-10
A MORMON EPISTLE
The Skulking First Presidents
Speak to the Church.
BY
The Edmunds Law Denounced az
an Instrument Of Persecution and
the Officers as Prosecutors.

| read from IreSlQenUS Taylor anu Sd1lHOu
! of the First Presidency. Referring to tn,
present condition OF affairs in reference t.
polyeamy trials, it says: The avowal it
openly made that the Edmunds law II
designed as a destruction OF a principle OF
the Mormon religion. All the prosecutions
! are conducted in this spirit. No non
| Mormon criminal, however guilty, has Sc
far been punished. Under its acts tn.
greatest depravity committed by non
| Mormons are easily reached, yet receive
scarcely a passing notice, while all Mormons
| but one yet brought before the courts nave
| been convicted. The recent rulings OF tbs
| courts are most extra ordinary, allowing AL
Indictment for each week or each day iveu
in unlawful cohabitation against persons
accused, the result aggregating a possible
life Imprisonment and enormous tine to
each individual, whereas the law specifies
only six months imprisonment and $500
fine. Time has revealed that the Edmunds
law is not enacted in the interests OF
morality, but is aimed directly
AGAINST RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
and for purposes of persecution. The
g~rossest immortality on the part OF non
Mormons Aourishes under the very eyes oil
it's administrators. 1t is viewed with III
difference if committed outside the matfl-
monial relation. MormOns ~renounclng re-
ligion are unmolested. Referring to the ad-
vice of friends that it is useless further to
resist we wall say with the great majority:
"We did not reveal celestial marriage, we
cannot withdraw or renounce 1T. God re-
vealed it and has promised to maintain 1t
and to bless those who obey it," The only
course to pursue is to maintain the cove
nants made and to trust to God for wnat-
ever follows. 1t exhorts the people to be
steadfast, faithful and true to integrity. 1t
severely denounces the recent Rock Springs
massacre and says hat the investigation
shows that only one Mormon was engaged
in it and his fellowship is doubtful. 1t ad-
vises the faithful to avoid secret societies
of all kinds, and says all men should be
aware OF the fact that the Mormons have
ever been upholders Of the Constitution
and the laws enacted in pursuance there
the end. Whatever opposition has been
offered to laws coming in conflict with the
Constitution have been Of such a character
as to be justified by the customs and
usages of this or other civilized countries.
There has been no desire to shun the con-
sequences OF our acts in relation to the laws
referred to, providing we have assurance
that our cases shall be submitted to a fair
and a lust adjudication. Recent events
have
NO GROUND FOR SUCH HOPES.
It is understood, however, that in having
our conduct passed upon by law admin
istered in a genius Of justice we can under
no circumstances surrender a principle of
conscientious or religious conviction. and
we claim such surrender to be in conflict
with the guarantees Of the constitution,
which duty binds US to uphold a constitu-
tionviolated in q number OF ways to place
the Mormon people at a disadvantage and
to crush their religious system by laws
passed inficting political disability upon
about nine-tenths of the Mormon people
in no way connected by their acts with
Dolyga1ny, their only offense being their re-
ligious belief. A large majority should not
be punished for the acts of small minority.
there being about twelve thousand polyga-
mists in a population OF two hundred
Thousand. Such things would elsewhere be
characterized as tyrannical in the most
extreme degree. 1t refers to the appeal
made to President Cleveland asking for an
investigation upon Utah matters and hopes
he will soon give the matter attention as
Cuc IlSuLS VI Ii pCoPiC oIS DSAAS 6Aoooi.s
trampled under loot. It repudiates the
popular idea that plural marriage is
preached outside OF a Mormon community,
unless in compulsory defense OF a principle.
The practice OF polygamy is limited even
among Mormon people, those above re-
proach in their lives only being allowed to
enter it. The practice is in no way calcu-
lated for extension beyond the church and
missionaries are SO instructed. The idea
that plural marriage menaces the general
monogamic system is without foundation.
THE IGNORANCE OF THE CPL
of the nation concerning the Mormon people
and doctrine is taken advantage OF by their
and the world entirely lnisled
regarding tie motives Of espousing plural
marriage claim. When first revealed to
Smith it's acceptance by even leading
Mormons resulted in severe trial and was
only lone in consideration OF it's being by
divine command, which brings damnation
it is disobeyed. 1t believes that the
present crusade will convince the people
that there is something more in %polygamy
than is supposed. 1t endorses the course
of those who have gone to prison, rather
than to sacrifice principle and expects the
people to be firm in their efforts to main
tain their religion. It refers bitterly to the
OF vice through non-Mormon in
iuences and it's great general injury to the
oapp1a |