National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-10-17
The Defiant Poiyga mists.


The Mormon conference was recently
held in London, and the Pail Mall Gazette
has published an interview with G. w. PEN
rose, who presided over the meetings
This person told the interviewer that old
story about Joe Smiths tin plates and the
angel that carried them skyward. He also
endcavOred to cnlighten the Gazette's
readers concerning the terrible per-
secution TO which the saints In
Utah have been subjected by the
government Of the United States, The
enforcement of the Edmunds act is, he as
sure d the reporter, san attempt made with
diabOlical skilliulness to destroy root and
branch the religion of the latter day saints.h
Juries are "packed" and spies and "spot-
ters' are continually at work. "Thanks to
the stars and stripes OF the states,n says
Penrose, who is described by the Gazette as
an "intelligcnt and talentedn gentleman,
"a new Judge JeiTreys reigns supreme"
But he would not have the English people
believe that the Mormons are discouraged
Notwithstanding all their cndeavors, not
withstanding all their tricks and subter-
fuges,n he remarked, Notwithstanding
their penitcntaries and their fines, our enc
mics will see us riding triumphant over
their necks. Whatever steps the govern
ment of the United States may take, our
religion will, am convinced, 90 on in
America, the land flowing with milk aud
honey, is completely gained over to our
principles
The efforts OF the government to suppress
polygamy in Utah have not attracted so
much attention recently as the efforts made
| by the polygamlsts to extend and increase
their power. The work of their mission
aries abroad has not been checked. This
year four companies Of converts, In all
| 4 hu IiVnrnnnl
| for this country, aud men like Penrose are
4 telling the people OF Great Britain and thC
| continent that the work Of our government
| will tend only 20 spread Mormon doctrines
and confirm Mormon power IN ou
| western states aud territories. The
polygamists have temporarily lost thci
political influence IN Idaho, but they ar,
irving 10 get foothold IN Dakota, and tn,
! Mexican congress has granted to Presiden
John Taylor and his associates large tract
Of land IN Sonora, chihuahua, aud Otho
states near the northern boundary for tn
use Of colonies. There are indications
however, that they may not he able 10 re
tain these lands. Whatever may be tn
fate of the Mexican colonies, II Is plail
that while at the first conviction and i'm
prsonment of few polygamlsts In Sal
Lake city had a good effect, the saints hay
now taken fresh courage.
The Mormon organization Il maintaine
hy the great force Of religious fanaticism
, The MormOns, with very few exceptions
believe that their course has divine sane
, | ton. Although the Edmunds law Is by n
means a failure, its enforcement under Ia
i difficulties which confront the officers {
= the law will not, In all probability, SUI
1 press polygamy, Il will he the duty
p Congress next winter % carefully stud
o this subject, aud 10 devise additional law
Tor the removal NJ this great evil, The r
@ ports aud recommendations submitted
4 the commission will furnish basis for n
a seeded legislation.