Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-08
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
LAST YEAR.


In the absence of anything concerning
Utah matters in the Presidents recent
message to Congress, it might prove re-
freshing to the minds OF our readers TO
peruse what he said upon the subject
wear ago. In his message submitted
December 9TH, 1885, is the following:
In the Territory of Utah the law of the
United States, passed for the suppression of
polygamy, has been faithfully und energet-
ically executed during the past year, with
measurably good results. A number of
convictions have been secured for unlawful
cohabtation, and in some cases the plea OF
guilty has been entered and slight punish
ment imposed, upon the promise by the ao-
cused that they would not again offend
against the law, nor advise, counsel, aid or
abet in any way its violation by Others.
The Utah Commission express the
opinion, based upon such inf0rma-
tion as they were able to obtain,
that but few polygamous marriages
have taken place in the Territory during the
past yoar. They further report that while
there cannot be found upon the regis
tration list of voters the name of man act
ually guilty of polygamy, and while none OF
that class are holding office, yet at the last
election in the Territory all the officials
elected, except in one county, were men
tice of polygamy, subscribed to the doctrine
of polygamy as divine revelation and
law unto all, higher and more binding upon
the conscience than any human law, local or
National. Thus is strange spectacle pre-
sented of community protected by Re
publican form of Government, to which
they owe allegiance, sustaining by their
suffrage n principle and belief which sets
at naught that obligation of absolute
obedience to the law of the land, which
lies at the foundation of Republican insti-
tutions. The strength the perpetuity and
the destiny of the nation rest upon oar
homes, established by the law of God,
guarded by parental care regulated by par
entail authority and sanctitied by parental
love. These are not the homes of polygamy
The mothers of our land who rule the
nation, as they mould the characters and the
actions of their sons live according to Gods
holy ordinance and each, pure and happy
i'll the exclusive love of the father of hel
children, sheds the warm light of true
womanhood, unperverted and unpolluted
upon all within her pure and wholesome
family circle. These are not the cheer
less, crushed and unwomanly mothers
of polygamy. The fathers of oul
families are the best citizens Of
the Republic. Wife and children are the
sources of patriotism, and .conjugal ant
parental affection begetidevotion to country
These are not the fathers of polygamous
families. There is no feature of this prao
tice or the system which sanctifies it, which
is not opposed to all that is of value in ou
institutions. There should be no relaxation
i'll the firm but just execution of the law
now i'll operation, and l Sheutd 6e gtdd Il
approve such further discreet legislation q!
'0iH rid this country Of this blot upon is
fame.
What could be more pronounced, EN-
phatic or to the point than this? 1t has
the ring OF the true metal. 1t emits nC
uncertain sound, but is resonant .Yitl
patriotism, judgment and determination
1t was all that the moral and liberty
loving spirit of the Nation could ask, bu
no more than it had the right to eXpec
from the President of Republic, based
upon principles so antagonistic to the
tenets and practices of the institution
which inaugurated and which continues
to advocate, foster and encourage the
crime which formed the topic OF EXecu
tive comment. 1t is hardly conceivable
that Mr.. Cleveland has modified hi
views in regard to the infamy OF polyg
amy and its attendant abuses. Ii he ha
hOtj ~ NOulN NC Stlli hlOlC S'ldhSS II 1i
should feel less inclined TO exercise hi
executive power in the suppression OF tn,
evil. 1t is not reasonable to presume
that the man who committed himself ST
strongly one year ago would abandon hi
aggressive for even a passive position
upon a question affecting, as he states
the honor and integrity OF the Nation
While we cannot understand his reticence
we retain our confidence in the sncerit,
of his former utterances, and our belle
that he will act in accordance with them
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