The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-03

States to have the law here vigorously
enforced. But why here only? Did
they think the nation at large needed
no correction of morals? Why at least
was not the enforcement of the same
law in all the Territories and even in
the Immaculate District of Columbia
where Congressman most do congre-
gate, asked for with equal earnestness.
These are some of the reasons. Many
Others might be mentioned, which i'm
pei me to give my vote for the adoption
OF this expression of our views. The
times are perilous. The nation seems
willing to have the safeguard of religious
freedom stricken down in the case of
the Mormons. We are disposed to
protest against this. We owe it to our
selves and to our children to let our
voices be heard in no uncertain sound
upon this all important question. 1t
might be smoothed over for time, the
day when the issue is to be made might
be postponed. But no right-minded man
in the community can entertain such
an idea at any sacrifice of his manhood
or his honor. We are sailing swiftly
through treacherous channels and I'M
der lowering cliffs. Let US not be led
into the error of attempting to shoot the
rapids, for so sure as we do, we leave
the whirlpool to our posterity.
The speaker was vociferousiy ap-
plauded throughout the entire delivery.
JUNIUs F. WELLS followed, and the
following is brief synopsis of his re-
marks: He said he felt the Importance
OF the occasion which had called the
people together. He felt that the
wicked impositions of the Edmunds
law, should be protested against, and
especially the manner in which it was
Being carried out. The Mormons had
been singled out and prosecuted, be-
cause their homes were not constructed
upon plan which met with favor a
thousand miles away. The Pilgrim
Fathers and their course were briefly re-
ferred to. The spirit which actuated
them, was possessed by the people of
Utah. He was the result of a po-
lygamous marriage, but he queried if
he hadn't as much right on the earth as
any son of God who inhabits it. He didn't
believe in royal birth in the land of
democracy, but in the spirit of demo-
cracy. Because of their birth, the
children of Mormons were held up be-
fore the nation as degraded. They were
crowded now into a corner, and were
expected to acknowledge their fathers
had made mistake; but as for him, he
would maintain he had a right to be
here; to acknowledge his parentage, for
he knew his father was man of honor
and that his mother was a woman of
virtue. (Deafening applause) 1t was
a prevalent idea abroad that the
Mormon homes should be con-
s1rnotao nsan the American ideas. He
traced his ancestry hack in this land for
nine generations, but the name OF his
family would have been lost but
for his father, who was reformer. He
hoped to live till the land should be full
of that name. (Applause.) He con-
trasted the condition of families of mon
ogamists of New England, and the
healthy. numerous progeny of the polyg
amists. (Applause.) He was proud to
say he belonged to as honorable and
good family as was on the earth.
(Applause.) The seventh section of the
Edmunds law he referred to and asked
its import, legitimizing children. If it
did not by inference legalize the mar
riages of their parents. The children of
MormoHs were children of men of honor
and Justice, who would provide for their
offspring, and the section was not neces-
sary to give them property rights. Gap
plause.) If the section was to give them
such rights, it was kinder than those
sent here to administer it would have
their fathers be. Honor thy father and
mother" ETC., was more applicable now
than ever. This land was given to them
and they esteemed and loved it as the
choicest of all lands, on condition
of observing the ancient command.
Our homes are worth more to us than
life. The decision of the courts was
considered final by outsiders. The law
had declared crime that which be
knew as well as he knew that he was
alive, was not crime. applause
And he expected to live to see that law
When the day of justice
comes, the sons and daughters of poly
gamists would be acknowledged as legi-
innate, and win the respect due to
merit. (Thunderous applause fol-
lowed Mr.. Wells to his seat
Music by the band.
F. s. RICHARDS followed, and the
abbreviated report of his remarks
IS in substance as follows: He
was in hearty sympathy with the
present movement. That we are
sorely aggrieved cannot be denied
by any impartial person who will
read the declaration and protest.
Facts are there stated which should
bring the blush of shame to the cheeks
Of the men whose acts, are denounced.
a revolution was not designed by the
present convention, but to declare that
we were the sons and daughters of pa
,riotic freemen who stamped their char
acters on the pillars of their age and
poured their hearts blood into the
channels of the public prosperity that
hey might transmit to their children
he precious heritage OF civil and
.eligious liberty. cloud applause.)
We are not slaves but the peers |
If our fellow citizens. (Applause.) We
liter no words of defiance, but solemnly |
protest against the indignities and OPP |
,ressions heaped upon US. (Applause) |
It had been said that so 000. 600 people |
lad decreed that certain practice |
hould be stopped. Legislation might be
ramed to punish past acts, but he knew
# no principle of law which compelled
nan to vouch for his future conduct. |
Yet it would seem that men were being
punished because of their refusal to de-
:iare their intentions in that regard.
There were persons who had entered |
nto plural marriage before there was
inv law against it, and who had never