The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-08
THE MORMONS.
Taylor and Cannon Write "A Letter 10 the
Church-Protests Against the Edmuads
Act,


SALT LAKE CRY, April 6.-At general
conference held at Logan yesterday a general
epistle to the church was read from Presidents
Taylor and Cannon of the first presidency. Re-
ferring to the present condition OF affairs and
the prosecutions against polygamy 1t says:
Men of pure lives Bet examples worthy of the em-I
ulation of all lives, and which will lead to works OF
righteousness Citizens Of the highest type OF char
acter have been selected as the victims OF vie per
secution which treats them as criminals of the low
grade. Juries selected for the express pur-
pose of conyicting men who are prominent in the
church heir partisan bias is 30 thoroughly known
in the community that it is commonly considered
that accusation in court is now equal to a con-
viction. The old rule of jurisprudence that the ac
cused shall be considered innocent until he Is found
guilty, is reversed and the burden of proof rests
upon the accused. In nearly every instance the
Judge and Jury, equally with the prosecution, ap-
pear to view him as guilty and require him to furn
ish proofs of his innocence. Jurors are selected
who are the known enemies of the parties accused,
of the principle involved in the trial. The re-
suit has been that a Mormon would be as safe in
seeking the justice of the internal regions of Al
gerine pirates as that of courts Of such character
Indictments are found on the fimsiest evidence.
The result has been reign of terror in Utah.
These prosecutions are intended only to provoke
the people to commit some overt act whereby the
coming administration may be embarrassed. The
imprisonment OF elders in Arizona is SO outrageous
that no man who anticipates being accused dare sub
nit to such treatment, and many have left their
homes for foreign lands. President Taylor remain
ed at his home until the persevering determination
the part of certain federal officials to enbarrass
and harrass every prominent man became so evident
that he deemed it wise to depart. The contract OF
plural marriage is a contract of the most sacred
character and for both time and eternity. The pre-
tent system of marriage is adequate to save man
from dreadful evils, although millions OF honor
able men have endeavored to adopt this system OF
morality and virtue, and have devoted their lives to
The epistle refers to the "evils Of monogamy"
in strong terms, and goes on to say:
AS it is estimated that the male members Of the
Mormon church who practice polygamy do not ex-
coed two per cent of the whole membership. we
consider the present law act Of injustice to the
remaining 98 per cent. They are abus sd and out
ragged, their business interests disturbed, values
are unsettled, neghborhoods agitated and prop
ertY leopardized because of the raid alleged law
breakers. This shows how destitute Of foundation
are the charges made against polygsmy. The Nor
mon prosecutors have introduced vice of every form
since they came here
The epistle finally exhorts Mormons to avoid
suck ways, and also not to retaliate in kind for
the prosecutions, or violate any constitutional
law.
A committee was appointed to draft resolu-
tions of protest to be presented to President
Cleveland.