New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-07
Defence OF TIE MORMONS.
A LETTER FROM APOSTLES TAYLOR AND CANNON
TO THe GENERAL CONFERENCE.

A LETTER FROM APOSTLES TAYLOR AND CANNON
TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
SALT LAKE CITY, April Cat the Mormon
General Conference at Logan. yesterday AFTERNOON a
general epse the Church was read from Presidents
Taylor and Cannon Of the First Presidency Referring
10 the present condition OF affairs in the poly gany pro
sccntons II saws: The Mormon Is rs safe IN seeking
the Justice of Internal regions Of Agene pirates
as that Of the Federal Courts Indictments are ounu OH
the imsest evidence. The result has been thaI reign
of terror prevailed and continues In Utah. Consder
ing that they have chance for fair trial. men have
considered better avoid arrest until there Is pros
pect of receiving impartial Justice 1t considers these
violent prosecutions only intended TO provoke The
people commit some overt act whereby the INCOMING
administration will be embarrassed refers to the I'M
prisonment OF elders in Arizona and considers the pro-
eeedings so outrageous that other who ancipat
ed being accused dare submit to such treatment, ana
many left their homes for foreign lands 1t continues
president Taylor remained home UNTIL perceiving
determination on the part of certain Federal ocaIs
here to embaIrass and harass every prominent man.
and being informed of the threats against his liberty ne
deemed under the circumstances TO wltha" ioi
although neither one of the First Presidency had been
officially notified that any official process had been issued
against them their residences invaded and searched
We should at have the same rights as burglar
thieves and If sinners. Abraham was
from a poly ganic source. aud so were many oil Deus
favorite cndren" The letter refers 10 me d
that consequently this Goverhaent should Put aoSh
molly ga,ny and SAYS: IL Congressman would hNcstf
Yte they would see that widow burning only Is sup
pressed III India and that 1SO.OoO,OOo OF p3lyRA-
Inists have lull
tshrisuanty cannot offer anything OF an
eternal character to compensate us LOT Tue apsna"n
,nrut of trlth demanded of us. The constitution pro-
fects the sacreduess OF contract; plural marriage Is
contract the most sacred cirac ter Dehf or t anu h
eternity" The letter refers 10 1.-THE inadequaey OF th
present system Of marriage 20 save man from uIeau
eyils. although millions OF honorable men nave DE-
ed TO adopt this system of morality anu virtue anu
voted their lives Tue evils fought steadily lLcTcsel
stesily rhe system taught not Gods system hence
in Cannot meet mems wants. f. refers to the " eNils OF
InoBn.my in strong terms. and says: As IL rs est
mated thai the male members OF the MORMON NnuCn
practlslug poygny do not exceed Two per cent Oh e
winnie mem ership we consider it act OF great H.
iusiice 10 the remaining ninety eight per cent @ are
abuacd and outraged, business interests are distubeu
values n settled neghborhOods ag1tatrd ana properly
ieoprlized because Of the raid on the alleged
ers This shows destitute OF foundation the chaSeS
n,ade against 0lygamy. The Mormon prosecutors i9
frodueed vice every form since they came mere ~
xha,f Mornons to avoid such ways also. not 10 retain
ate In kud for persecution violate any constitutional
law. 4 committee appointed 10 urdit iesoiu'i"'
OF Protest to the President.