Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-09-29
THE TRIALS.

themselves is, What course Will these
leading Mormons take? For a long time
it was thought that the course that Bishop
Sharp might take would be the one
usually followed What his course has
been all know, and it is one that all who
are not in favor of breaking the laws favor.
But that course met with severe con-
demnation from Mr.. Sharp's co-religion-
lists, and the papers of his church set upon
him as though he were wild beast whose
very presence in the community was a
source of danger. In this course of con-
demnation for those who obey the law
and laudation for those who disobey it,
the Deseret EUening Neps took the lead
but was largely followed by all the
church papers. In all the history of
Utah there was never such a din
raised for disobedience to the law
as since MIR. Sharp promised to obey
it. That din was raised that any who
were inclined to follow Mr. Sharp's exam
pie might be frightened out Of any such
inclination; and we believe the din has
succeeded in its object; but this can only
be determined by the result of the trials,
which begin to-day. If the men who are
to be arraigned to-day choose to suffer
imprisonment in preference to promising
obedience to the law, let them 90 to pris-
on, and let the law 90 on and be vindi-
Gated. Put the fact of Imprisonment on
the ground of martyrdom, and what is
the cause for the martyrdom? The men
broke law of their country knowingly
and wilfully, and when the law comes for
its vindication and they are punished,
they term it martyrdom. Let them term
1t what they choose, but what they term
it should in no way affect the enforce
ment of the law. If a man may do one
thing in defiance OF the law, he may do
another, and if an indulgence should be
given to one who breaks the law. it should
be given to another who breaks the law.
Ii laws are not to be respected and en-
forced, they should be abolished and let
each protect himself. 1t has got to
that pass in Utah that the laws
a"7fnst polygamy and unlawful cohabita-
should be rigidly enforced, or
Aase laws should be abolished. The
people here think that the United States
viii get tired of enforcing the laws, and
will cease. Such may be the case, but
we doubt it. Did the people of Utah
ever for moment think that perhaps if
the laws were persistenly and unceasing-
y vfn7icable they themselves might get
tired of the struggle? If the
suppression of polygamy and unlawful
cohabfton in Utah is only to be accom-
pllsheq ov he process of attrition, very
well, .u let he attrition go on and see
whether the larger or the smaller BODY
will be worn away first. But it is fire.
quently said that there will be much suf-
fering consequent upon the enforcement
OF the law. That is true, but in the great.
great majority Of polygamy cases have
not the men entered in to the rela-
ton since 1t was made unlawful? Is
there man in Utah Territory to-day who |
believes that If Congress were to grant |
universal amnesty to all polygamisis in
Utah and all the United States Terri
tories on the condition that no more |
polygamous marriages were to be formed, |
although those already formed were to be
allowed to continue in statu quo, that the
people here would give an honest promise
not to celebrate or form any more polvga-
nous marriages? They might make the
promise, but it is very doubtful whether
they would be sincere in, observing it.
The Mormon people would look upon it
as another sign of weakness in the Gov
ernment, another interference by God in
their behalf. We have heard Mormons
say that they had contempt for the
United States because of its vacillating,
puslllanimous treatment of the Mormon
question. They have looked upon leni-
ency as weakness and dislike to resort to
strong measures as fear. They look upon
The stringent enforcement of the law to-
lay merely as spasmodic effort which
will shortly cease. Thay admit that the
effort has been prolonged more than
Usual, and they ask among themselves
low long it is going to last,
md the answer they make to
themselves is that the present con-
iltion of things cannot last ALWAYS.
md that soon God must display His hand
o protect His people. 1t is the hope of
having this hand shortly displayed that
'arious men are now preferring the full
penalty of the law to promising anv
obedience to it. None would wish to !,
ieprlve them OF that hope, but we would
Wish that they might see that such hopes !.
ire vain. So long as men snffer imprison-
nent such hope is blessing to them. but
uch hope does not repeal laws or unbolt
'rison bars. But great many are not :
ustained by any such lofty feelings.
hey have placed themselves in box,
o to speak, and they dare not extricate
therefrom for fear of the con-
and revilement they will have
D encounter from those who have been :
heir box-companions. They are in that !,
rame of mind described by Hamlet
Whether tits nobler in the mind to suffer q
he slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
)r to take arms against sea of troubles.
nd, by opposing, end them?" :,
That very aptly described their mental v
ondition. and what their decision will be O
is hard to say, they themselves not
moving. The majority of men can fe
etter stand physical suffering than men, g,