Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-08-21
PROTESTING 1kORMONS.
Is Declaration Of GRIEVANCES Forlnalatsd
In Convention.

"a /. -
Z D.elaratton Of Grievances Formnlatsd
In CONVENTION.
Meetings have been held throughout
Utah, Idaho, and Arizona, at all the
Mormon tabernacles, at which a declar-
alton of grievances and protest which
had been formulated at general con-
ference of the Mormon church, April 5,
was read. The declaration is addressed
to the president and the people OF the
United States. It begins by saying:
"A condition OF affairs imperilling the
vital interests of the vast ma ority OF the
people OF Utah and their co-religionists
in the neigh boring states and tsrritor-
les, impels us, their representatives., to
address you. Our rights as American
citizens are trampled upon. and believ-
ing it our imperative duty,
in the presence of such
danger, to protest against the gigantic
evil which threatens not only our liber.
ties, but the liberties of every freeman,
we, in general mass meeting assembled,
in the name OF freedom, justice and hui
manity make this appeal for relief and
protection. We are unpopular with
our fellow countrytnen it is our reli-
gion which makes us so. We are a
small minority in their midst, but we
have yet to learn that these are grounds
upon which 10 justify in a land of lib
erty the acts of oppression which we as
a people from the beginning of our his
tory have been made to suffer. As to
our religious faith, it is based upon evil
i ;n1> TO Inc
convictions not to be destroyed by
Legislative enactments Or judicial de-
cisions. Force may enslave the body.
but it. cannot convince the mind. 10
yield, at the demand of the legislator or
the Judge, the rights OF cons, fence,
would prove us recreant to every duty
we owe to God and man. Among the
principles Of our religion is that of i'm
mediate revelation from God; one of the
doctrines SO revealed is celestial or plu-
raj marriage, for which ostensibly we
are stign,atlzed and hated. This is
vital part of our religion, the decisions
of courts to the contrary notwithstand-
ing"
The charge Of treason and rebellion
made against the Mornons is declared
to be unjust and untrue. The fact is
cited that quota of 800 men was sent
1000 miles overland to aid the
United States III fighting against
Mexico. It is asserted that the
general government has ever been
willing to lend a willing ear to all re-
ports of sedition made against the Nor
mon people, aud that when investigated
they have always been exploded.
Strong complaint is made that the
government has refused to confer state
hood upon the Mormons, although
Utah has all the qualifications Of popu-
lation, wealth and stability Of COM
MERGE and society. 1t complains that
aliens have invariably been sent into
the territory to govern the people, who,
with honorable exceptions, have tram
pied the rights of the people under
foot. The petitions, protests and
memorials against these abuses have
never been needed. It then goes on to
say:
The paranour Of mistressss Dnd har~
lots, secure from prosecution, walks
the streets in open day. No United
States official puts "spotter" on his
trail or makes an effort to drag his
deeds Of shame and guilt before Judge
and jury for investigation and punish
ment. But note the contrast: In
Utah, Idaho and Arizona, a concerted
assault is made upon the Mormon peo-
pie, Spoilers and spies dog their foot
steps. Delators thrust themselves into
bed chambers and watch at windows.
Children are questioned upon tue streets
as to the martial relations of their par
ents. Families are dragged before
commissioners and grand jurles, and,
on pain of punishment for contempt,
are compelled to testify against their
fathers and husbands, Modest women
are made to answer shamefully indie
cent questions as to the sexual relations
Of men and women. Attempts are
made to bride men to work up cases
against their neighbors Notoriously
d1sreputable characters are employed to
spy into mems family relations"