Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-05-11
THE THREE CASES.

above named men heroic ana saw IN
the triumph of martyrdom. Perhap
this was the view of the majority 0
the Mormon people, although many c
them could not see why Cannon anc
Musser refused to give promises o
future obedience to the law. II the
endeavor to live within the law IL
the past was honest and sin
cere, what were the objections K
promising to do so in the future? To re
fuse to say what will be a mans course
in future so far as endeaorvingt to obey the
law is concerned, is to suggest to thos
who hear the refusal the idea that tn,
avowed obedience of the past has beer
of a most doubtful character. If a man
loves truth and honesty he will love them
under all circumstances and so 1t Is with
a respect for the law-he will respect and
obey the law in the presence OF a Court as
well as at home. In fact, herein lies his
good citizenship, that he is ever constant
and consistent in rendering respect to the
law and giving to it his allegiance. Mr..
Cannon said that he was anxious to have
the Court made familiar with his con-
duct. 1t must be, then, that Mr.. Cannon
expected that his conduct would meet
the approval OF the Court, but still Mr.
Cannon could give no promise that in the
future his conduct would be such as to
meet the approval OF the Court.
Everyone will believe that Mr.. Can
non is deeply attached to the institutions
of his adopted country when Nir. Cannon
is allowed to put his own construction
upon those institutions, but not other
wise, especially as he married in 1875 in
violation Of the law OF Congress against
polygamy.
But Mr.. Cannon was far more respect
full to the Court than was Mr.. Musser.
Mr.. Musssr's written address to the
Court, as well as his questions and an
swers to the Court, We're but masked irony
and covert insult, which all
seemed to see but his Honor.
Mr.. Musser spoke of being entrapped, and
he nearly entrapped the Court. If any
one for moment doubts this, all that is
necessary to see that it is so is to look at
the communication Mr.. Musser in that
instrument says: 81 now desire to have it
clearly defined what course will be the
safe and proper one for me to pursue to
keep my contracts honorably with them,
by your Honor during my trial, wftef
rulings seem to me to be very cruel and
oppressive, not to say subversive of good
law and morals" and if this seems full
OF respect and no one sees ANYTHING but
difference in it, read this: "Having used
my very best judgment all through life !
respecting these vital matters, and it now
being declared unsound by your Honor,
as witnessed by my position before the
Court to-day as a criminal, / most anx-
lously desire to obtain an expression from
the Chief Justice of Utah, at this iunc
ture OF the courts proceedings in nv
case, respecting my definite and specific
duties, as to what am to do as a hus-
band, father and good citizen, after I |
emerge from the Bastile, where I SUP
pose the Court will send me for having
openly and affectionately held out and
cared for my loveable wives and children,
who in all the mental and physical
graces and endowments, natural and ac-
lulred, are the peers OF their sisters
elsewhere, for cannot persuade myself
o believe that this mighty and magnani-
nous Republic, rhjch your Honor repre-
entS IN such digaifed, DISTINGUISHED.
ma o6rloaSiy impartial manner. would I,
willingly punish its citizens who in every
ther respect are law-abiding and
pnght." The italics are ours, but
he sentiment is Mr.. Musser's. His ,
tonor did err most egregiouslv in the
ase of MIR. Musser, which error was in 6
stenlng to Mr.. Nusser after 2
r. Stayner had read this pre- +
ous document. 1t is the most i
aipable error, which defendants conn /
sl could possibly assign, and such no
oubt would the Supreme Court of the r
errltory declare it, with the Chief Justice r
Mourning. The Court wasted its time ~
Id learning on the desert air in bandv- I
g words with so astute logician as Mr.. g
usser is known to be. From the very +
'glnnlng of the reading of Mr.. Musser,s a
it was very evident to all Y
no knew that gentleman that he was VI
erely drawing" the court, and that
had no intention ofmaking any promise is
obey the law, no matter what his fc
onor might have said with regard TO his III
nduct. His Honor will have learned .
nething the past week, if it was not ex- tb
ly in the line of the law. be
The course of Mr. Watson was respect ri,
at least, although it is to be regretted stl
I. ne followed the example of his &C. is
superiors in preferring impris- as
hei't and ignominy to rendering obedi- do
,e to the laws. -,
-hese men made heroes of tbemsalvaS no
Ihe eyes OF their own people for one ba,
. but If they shall outlive the century on,
g they cannot wipe out the stains Of v,b
ing suffered fine and imprisonment suc
violating their country's laws of
'se things cannot be ont. Ioo
d, no matter in what mr.,
Sc men have suffered them, and as Sta
years 60 by, the men themselves feel
although they were cheered and \