Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-06-26
MEMPHIS APPEAL.
FRIDAY ): JUNE 90, 1855
RESULTS OF the EDmUNDs LAW.

TheSa Lake Democrat says that much
0eeulation is INDUCED in as to the pres
moHlook for the solution of the Nor
stav DrSolem. 1t states that the Nor
are epoors hand Of the Lord will
'naetiyifZ Ise1 gainst them, and they
'saa 81 81 : S1isg - by a decrease Of
.s-.sS5sss iesvos ds55g offenders to justice
The Mormons are, no doubt, well aware
that it is not so much the amount of the
penalty that deters from crime as the
certainty of It's inhiction. In most cities
there is every now and then a raid upon
the gamblers, then they are left to 90 on
in quiet as before. If the Mormons are
treated in the same way, the Edmunds
law will prove a mere obstacle in then
path, causing them only temporary incon-
veuienee, but will not correct their out
RACES upon the law. In consequence
of this interval. some OF the too
much married who had run away fol
fear of arrest have returned. These are
at present in a state of trepidation, how
ever, fearing arrest. Should they re
main unmolested other absentees will
return. aud the cunning priests will cry
out TO their dupes in triumph, We told
you the Lord would stay your enemies,
which is a trick OF skill the gamblers
have not attained to. Our Salt Lake
contemporary is of opinion that if the
law be steadily administered, so that the
fears of the law-breakers are kept on the
stretch, that their patience under theii
disooiuforts will be tired ont, and they
will begin to ask whether the possession
of extra wives compeusates for the diff
entities it entails. Some of them have
gone so lar as to ask whether their
Church has yet attained to that
hight of purity that, at present
entities it to the high privilege
Of polygamy. This tendency is
aided, among the more reflective
Mormons, by the fact that the president
Of the Church, Taylor, and his coadiuto..
Cannon, continue to hide themselves. II
the Lord will indeed interfere for the
saints aud against the United States,
surely such signal and prominent pillars
of the faith should be protected by His
shield and not left to hide like escaped
convicts or fleeing and fraudulent bank
tellers. The Democrat says that one Of
the most effective things in arousiDg
Mormon apprehensions, is the assurance
given by the court that, when the tern
of sentence is served, a resumption O.
polygauic relations viii insure a second
conviction with less consideration in the
sentence. Many who could staLd si2
months imprisonment because thei
brother offenders would reckon them a
heroes. shrink at the iiea of hay
ing to endure E second trial anC
working out a second sentence
The Edmunds law is less eficient thar
could be desired, but if i be execute,
faithfully and constantly, as the law
against demonstrating and eoHnterfeitinl
are executed, the crime of poiygam.
would become extinct. 1t is hard t
contend against the law, but when tina
law Is supported by the sentiment OF q
community, and the punishment it deal
out against the criminal entails the sham
that follows the penitentiary convict
there can be no fear that it will prove il
the end an efficient determent from crime
It will nos DO, however, to sit down con
tented because a certain law is on til
statute books; to lie efficient it must b
steadily and constantly enforced, and tn
law-abiding citizens Of the United State
must insist upon that enforcement Il
Utah.