The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-02
MORMON CONVERTS.

MUkMUN CUNV6hlS,
1t no doubt looks strange to many unrefect-
ing observers that the leaders of the Mormons
can set them so violently and unanimously
against the government, and maintain an
authority against law or beyond law, that the
law has never, or only very recently, been
able to cope with. Now the Edmunds act be-
gins to work, and the land is wearied with the
groans Of the polygamous victims, and there
is promise of publication in the sound. The
manageable quality of Mormondom is due to
the material more than to the faith or skill Of
the leaders. Four-fifths of all the converts Of
the last quarter of century have been for
eigners, the lowest and most helpless of the
peasantry and laboring classes of England,
peninsula. Very few come from France or
Belgium, or Bohemia or Hungary, or Italy,
whence SO large portion of the communistic
element, just now so turbulent and trouble
some, comes. Wherever the Catholic Church
is dominant Mormonism has no chance. The
recruits of Mormon missionaries have no re-
ligion really. Protestant power does not COM
pei attendance on worship, and those whose
situation or labor makes such attendance in
convenient, know about as little of repent
ance" reformation" and ''atonement' as so
many Apaches. Consequently they have no
inculcations enforced from the cradle by fam
lily and neighborhood associations, parochial
visits, and church attendance to bar the adj
vances Of a faith that comes resplendent in
promises of wealth and material pleasure.
The Mormon missionary finds in them the
very subjects he wants, and they find in him
just the hope that human creatures of their
mental and moral construction most cherish.
So we read of frequent ship-loads of Mormon
immigrants, under the lead of some agent of
the church, landed at Castle Garden from
England, Wales or the northwestern CONT
nent of Europe. They know nothing of this
country or its government, except what their
leader tells them, and he is not likely to tell
anything to dispose them to leave the herd Of
old neighbors. and present associates. Thus
they reach the land of promise, as ductile
material for moral slavery as ever was known
on earth. The women usually are as little
refined and sensitive as the men, and the idea
of polygamous associations doesn't disturb
either sex, with its head full of expectations
of condition of prosperity and comfort never
dreamed of at home. Among many of such
people the marriage tie is chow knot" easily
united. Wives are sometimes sold and
snapped by them, even after they come to
this country. Their care is all for money
and a life of sensual qualification. They have
been used to harder work than the farms or
mines of Utah require. So they are indus
trious and easily prosperous. Consequently
they are ignorantly and devotedly adherents
of the church. AS long as the leaders could
defy the law, and laugh at the powerless CROP
ings of the government, these adherents
could be trusted safely. And many, doubt
less, can be yet But as the law seizes one
and another of the leaders that these devotees
have so long held above all power, and puts
him in the penitentiary for practicing the
faith he has taught them, they will sooner
or later begin to see things little less, as the
restored blind man Of Bethsaida saw men. Gas
trees walking" If our authorities keep up
and enlarge with him their power to assail
Mormon offenses and teach these ignorant
converts the situation fully and truly, they
can surely break down or drive out this great
national offense.