Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-08

idents Taylor and Cannon Of the first
Presidency was read. Referring to the
present condition Of affairs IN rela
ton to polygamy trials, II says,
The aYowal Is openly made that the Ed.
munds law was expressly designed for
the destruction OF the principles OF the
Mormon religion. All prosecutions are
conducted in this spirit non-MormOu
! criminal, however guilty, so far has been
punished under il. Acts OF the greatest
depraylty committed by Mormons
and easily reached receive scarcely pass
ing notice, while all the Mormons but one
yet brought before the courts have been
convicted.
HARD LINES.
A recent ruling Of the courts is most
extraordinary, allowing as it does an in
! dictment for each week or each day lived
in unlawful cohabitation against persons
accused. This means possible life i'm
/ prlsOnment and an enormous fine for each
I Individual. whereas the law specifies
only six months imprisonment and $500
| fine. Time has revealed that the Ed
munds law was not enacted in the in
terest of morality, but aimed directly
against religious liberty and for pUr-
poses OF persecution. The grOssest i'm
morality among nOn-MOrmOns fiounshes
under the very eyes Of the laws admins
/ tors, and is viewed with Indifference if
committed outside Of matrimonial rela-
! tions, and MOrmOns renOuncing their re-
/ hgion are unmolested.
URGED NOT TO GWEN.
/ Referring to the advice Of friends that
4 ii was useless to further resist the will Of
4 so great a majority the epistle says: ave
+ did not reveal celestial marriages. We
cannot withdraw from or renounce our
/ religion. God revealed it and has promised
/ TO maintain and bless those who obey
/ its laws. The only course to pursue is
/ 10 maintain the covenants made and trust
/ in God for whatever follows"
The epistle exhorts the people to be
/ steadfast, faithful and true. 1t severely
! denounces the Rock Spring massacre OF
! Chinese, and says investigation shows that
only one Mormon was engaged in it, and
his fellowship is doubtful. 1t advises the
| people to avoid secret societies Of all
kinds. 1t says:
"All men should be aware of the fact
that we have ever been upholders Of the
constitution and the laws enacted in
pursuance Herewith and purpose to con-
tinue so TO the end. Whatever Of Opposi-
ton has been offered the laws coming in
conflict with the constitution has been Of
such a character as was justified by Gus
toms or usage in this or other civilized
| countries.
WILLING TO FACE THE MUSIC.
eve have no desire to show the CON
sequences Of our acts in relation to the
laws referred to, providing we have as
surance that our cases will be submitted
to fair and just adjudication, but recent
events give no ground tor such hope. II is
understood, however, that in having our
conduct passed upon by law admins
tered in the genius Of justice, we can I'M
der no circumstances surrender principle
and conscientious or religious conviction,
and we claim tina such surrender would
be in conflict WITH the guarantees OF the
constitution which duty binds us TO up.
hold. The constitution has been violated
in number of ways to place the Mormon
people at disadvantage and crush their
religious system.
INNOCENT MEN PUNISHED.
claws have been passed inhicting pc
litical disability upon about nine-tentht
of the Mormon people in no way con
nected by their acts with pOlygamy, theil
only offense being their religious belief
The large majority should not be punished
for acts OF the small minority, there beine
about $4,000 polygamists in a population
of 100000. Such things elsewhere would
be characterized as tyrannical to the
most extreme degree"
President Cleveland, asking for an in
yestgation into Utah matters, and hopes
that the Presiden will soon give the sub
ject his attention. as the rights of tn,
people are being grossly trampleG under
foot.
PLURAL MARRIAGE.
1t repudIates the popular idea that plu
raj marriage is preached outside of TIT
Mormon community unless in compulsorl
defense OF the principle. The practice o
polygamy is limited even among thu
Mormon people. Those above reproach II
their lives only are allowed to enter it
The idea that plural marriage is a men
ace to the general monOgamIc system i
without foundation. The ignorance O
the people Of the nation concern
ing the Mormon people ant
their doctrine is taken advantag
of, and the world is deceived regardin
the motive for espousing plural mar
rlage.
THE REVELATION.
When the doctrine OF plural marriag
was first revealed to Joseph Smith, its aC
ceptance, by even leading MOrmOns. wa
a severe trial, and only adopted in cor
sideratiOn Of its being "A Divine command
which meant damnation il disObeyed. III
| present crusade will convince the peOpl
that there Is something more in poly gam
than was supposed. The document in
) d0rses the course of those who have gon
to prison rather than sacrifice their prir
cples, eXhorts people to be firm in thei
efforts to maintain their principles, an
refers bitterly to the growth OF vice throug
. nom Mormon influence.
Throws Himself Before an Engine
BALTIMORE, Oct. Michael ROlar
head bar tender at Barnum's hotel, wa
run over and killed this evening bv
. shifting engine on the Philadelphia, Wi
mington and Baltimore railroad near Cav
ton. an eastern suburb OF this city. II
was seen TO deliberately throw himself 4
front Of the locomotive, and was ident
tied by his will. which was found in hi
J pocket, leaving his property 10 hi
widowed mother. Rolau was stead
man, and no reason is known why h
should have taken bis life.
Cardinal McCloskcy Dying.
NEW YORK, oct. This evening
priest from the house OF Cardinal Nc
Closkey said: "His Eminence has littl
vitality lett. He il sinking slowly.
Among the callers during the day wer
General Mihan and Joseph b. Carr. tn
i