McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-04-16
A NJ RMON EDICT
A General Epistle to the Church Pu,
Forth by the Recent Congress.

At the Mormon general conference at Lo-
gan, Utah, recently, general epist:e to the
church was read from Presidents Taylor and
Cannon, referring to the present condition Of
affairs in the polygamy prosecutions. 1t says
"Men of pure lives set examples worthy of
the emulation of all lives, and lead to works
of righteousness; citizens of the highest type
of character have been selected as victims of
vile persecution as criminals of the lowest
purpose of convicting men prominent in the
church. Their partisan bias is so thoroughly
known in the community that it is commonly
considered that an accusation in court is now
constituted equal to a conviction. The old
rule of jurisprudence that the accused shall
be considered innocent until proven guilty, is
reversed, and the burden of proof rested upon
and jury, equally with the prosecution, appear
to view him as guilty, and require him to fur
nish proofs of his innocence. Jurors are Sc
lected who are known enemies of the
parties accused, or of the principle involved
In the trial. The result has been that the
Mormon is about as safe in seeking justice Of
the internal regions or of Algerine pirates as
in courts of such character. Indictments are
found on the flimsiest evidence. The result
hasbeen q reign of terror has prevailed, and
continues, in Utah. Cons dering that they
have no chance for fair trial, the men have
considered it best to avoid arrest until they
have a prospect of receiving impartial JUS
tice"
1t considers these violent prosecutions IS
only intended to provoke the people to some
overt act whereby the incoming administra-
ton will be embarrassed; refers to the impris-
onment of elders in Arizona, and considers
the proceedings so outrageous that no other
bo onfininofol dorm h.
NIT to such treatment, and many left their
hCenes for foreign lands. 1t continues:
president Taylor remained home until, per-
ceiving a determination on the part of several
federal officials here to embarrass and harass
every prominent man, and being Informed of
threats against his liberty, he deemed it wise
under the circumstances to withdraw, for while
this still continued. neither one of the first
presidency having been officially notified or re-
ceived any reliable Information that any court
official process of any kind had been issued
against them, their residences were invaded
and searched and spotters spies and deputies
displayed zeal in their endeavors to ascertain
the where abouts of the leaders. The conclu-
on is they wished to get them into their
power, conscious of our innocence of all viola
lions of the laws of God or the constitution.
But if the laws enacted entrap us because of
our belief in and practice of the revelation God
has given, which court jury shall decide, we
desire that it at least shall be upon what the
world would call evidence, substantial proof,
not religious prejudice, determination to
convict, evidence or none. Should conviction
follow in such case, we should submit as
martyrs have done in every age when
God had people on earth, as persecution in
fiicted on US for adherence to his laws. We
should at least have the same rights as burg
lars, thieves and murderers. If we are sin
ners, Abraham was also, and the ancient
prophets. Jesus descended from polygamic
source, and so did many of Gods chosen
children.
1t refers to the allegations of the English
government putting down the suffice, and that
consequently this government should put
down polygamy, and says:
eff congressman would see that widow burn
ing is only suppressed in India, and $50, OOO,-
90 of polygamists have their full rights and
privileges, christianity cannot offer anything
of an eternal character to compensate us for
the abandonment of truth demanded OF us.
The constitution protects the sacredness OF
contracts. Plural marriage is contract OF
the most sacred character, being for time and
eternity"
The document exhorts Mormons not to re-
taliate in kind for any persecution OF violate
and constitutional law. A committee was ap
pointed to draft resolutions of protest tG
President Cleveland and the nation, setting
forth specifically and In detail the tyrannical
conduct of the federal officials from the people
Of Utah are suffering.