The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-10-06
FALSE PREMISES AND CONCLC.
SIONS

o. J. Hollister has an article in Sun
day $ Tribune called out by the remarks
of late made by THE HERALD on the
rights of local government in the Ter.
-itories. Mr.. HOLSTERS communica-
ion consists for the most part of a
araphrased quotation from the his
tOrian E. A, Freeman, in which that
writer says IN substance that the great
distinguishing feature between Asiatic
and European society is polygamy and
slavery; and in a labored style states
that society in Europe has always been
homogeneous. and slavery where 1t did
exist has died out; while in the eas'
both slavery and polygamy continue
The fact is then pointed out that the
west is progressive, while the east
is stationary; the western nations
are free, while those of the east are des-
potic. Upon these statements Mr.. Il.
bases the following conclusions: "I'
will be seen that no polygamous people
in existence or that ever existed is cap
able of freedom of government"
Before thoughtful people will accept
Mr.. HIS conclusion they will first want
to examine his premises. They will
want to know if the non-progression
slavery, and despotism of the east are
consequent upon society being
polygamous. May it not be the result
of other causes2 They will want some
evidence that the progression, freedom
and the establishment of free institu-
tons ear consequent upon homogeneous
society, or whether there are other con-
sidera ions which are the primary
eauses of this state of things.
PolygamY does not necessarily imply
slavery or despotism no more than
monogamy does. For both slavery and
despotism have existed for ages where
society is supposed to have been
homogeneous, as well as where society
has been polygamous,
Mr.. H. also says, LAS great truth
the people and government of the
United States have every right 10 extir-
pate from any State of the Federal
Union, and much more from any Terri
tory, a condition of things that is abso-
lu ely incompatible with popular or
self-government." 1t Will be noticed that
Mr.. HIS language is 1.-THE people and the
government have every right" etc.,
and as the people and the government
are two separate things let Us look at
them and what each may do separately.
First then, as to the government:
Whatever powers the Constitution has
conferred upon the government, it may
freely use. If the Constitution has ex-
pressedly given to the government the
powers to regulate marriage and di-
vorce, as it has TO declare war, to raise
and support armies, to provide and
maintain navy, or to establish post
offices, then 1t may enact such laws on
marriage as it may deem most prosper
But If that power is not granted to
then it is an unqualified
of power-f Congress
to exercise tit is
! usurpation that every citizen
Who Teveres the Constitution |
# his country should resist. For upon |
he inviolate preservation OF that in |
trument depends the perpetuation OF
ur free institutions. But as there is no |
rant OF power given to the generaI
overDment over marriage or divorce,
ither expressly or that may be implied,
overnment has no right. either in a
tate or Territory, to break up whatever
omestic relations may be established
= the local governments either in
:ates or Territories. And for tina,
eason We hold that government has
o right to NEEDLE with the domestic
CT the people of Utah.
Then second, as to the people and
hat they may do; if the people desire
give, to government a new
rant ~of power, they may do
}, by the process described
the Constitution. In that
anner, if the sufficient majority
the DeoDIa If, tho -as-o,,;ro Co.