The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-10
THE MORMON QUESTION.
An Opinion tina. q War Is Inevitable In che
Future Over the Twin Relic.

An Opinion tina. War Is Inevitable In the
Future Over the Twin Relic.
Washington Special.
1.-THE Mormon question is rapidly becoming
one of vital Importance to the country, and one
demanding decisive action ON the part of the
government at the earliest possible moment"
This was said by an educated gentleman who
has spent several years in the Mormon country,
and who has closely observed the habits and
prejudices of the Mormon people.
mo compromise of any kind can be made
with the Mormon people, with safety to the
country he continued. This proceeds from
the fact that the substructure Of their religion
is based upon what they claim are the persecu-
tons of the people of the United States against
them in every locality in which they have here
tofore settled. They were driven out of New
York to Ohio out of Ohio to Missouri. out of
Missouri to Illinois In Illinois their patriarch
and prophet were killed, and their preachers
teach that the martyrdom of these two men is
the foundation of the church aud that the whole
family Of gentiles is to be given to the VEN
geance of God. Every preacher in the country
districts makes this as much the text of his SER
mons as the Christians do the erueifxion OF
Christ. They are as zealous in their religion as
the most fanatical Mohammedans. They are
taught from their childhood to hate the institu-
whole domain is to be shortly surrendered to
them through the instrumentality OF Divine
Providence There is no law except this reig
ious hierarchy outside of Salt Lake City, and
uouo otHor WOuiu 10 r0cogulZou tAef0 were IL
not for the presence Of the soldiers at Fort
Douglass.
After the appointment of the Mormon Com
mission / knew a number of Mormons who
seemed to entertain some doubt as to the pro-
priety of polygamy. In every case except one
they have since admitted to me that they have
duplicated their wives. An impression prevails
very largely among the people OF the United
States that the women OF Utah are hostile to
polygamy and the Mormon religion. While
&C a ia an
universal rule that the women are more Jealous
and fanatical than the men. They believe alb
solutely in the divine power of Taylor, and a
very large number of them past middle age be-
lieve that they commune with the Almighty
daily and have no doubt that this country was
given them by divine interposition 1t would be
mercy to them if the government of the United
States would resort to the EXTREMIST methods to
crush Mormonism out"
What methods should the government adopt?n
was asked
Troops ought to be placed in possession of
Lees Ferry. the only crossing of the Colorado
river for distance of nearly thousand miles,
the canyons of that river for all that distance
being from LOO to 5000 feet high, as are the
mountains running through eastern Utah and
across northern Arizona. Troops ought to be
placed at st. George and at every other place at
which temples are being constructed. This may
prevent long and enormously costly war. AT
all events this would do more than to precipi-
tate what is inevitable by a timid policy. There
is on this Rocky mountain plateau a population
who in case of foreign war, would sympathize
and side with the enemy, and who, | have no
doubt, can to-day place in the saddle and splen-
didly equip 10, 600 of the best cavalrymen in the
world. They can substantially divide this con-
tinent and hold possession Of their territory for
years.
How do you regard the Mormon people as TO
their habits and moralsg"
They are a thrifty. industrious, sober and,
within their conception of morals yirtuous
people, but they are to all intents and purposes
public enemies of this government. | think there
should be further legislation, and that the most
RADICAL measures should be adopted by this gov
eminent toward Mormonism. The Territorial
government should be destroyed and placed in the
hands of the United States military. or United
States troops should command every locality in
the Territory where they have their religious
temples. That would probably precipitate a war;
but it had better come now than later. as it will
inevitably, when Mormonism has grown to pro-
digiouS proportions.
There is not more than one in ten Of the pop
ulation in Utah that have any conception of the
government of the United States or of our in
situations. he continued. Most of them have
either been brought from Europe from tie most
ignorant and superstitious classes or are the
children of those VINO never had any means of
acquiring knowledge of our institutions"
How has the Edmunds law been enforced
| and what effect has it had on the institution"
The Edmunds law is being enforced very ably
Wy SuoSo A1nS ouu ZIG EoNSEuIHcut oluCcrS
is incapable of resulting in good 1t is not suf-
fcient. and should be amended, as see MIR. Ed
munds admits and has already proposed to do.
Its effect has been to increase rather than dimin-
ish polygamous marriages"
what is the extent and influence of Mormon
ism in the Western Territoresg"
Besides controlling in Utah it has large i'm
fuence in Colorado. q controlling influence in
Nevada and almost controlling influence in
Idaho, Arizona and New Mexico 1t is extend
ing ranidly SOuth ward to old Mexico and has al
ready established settlements in the plateaus of
Northern Mexico. 1t has got to be quite a factor
in Rocky mountain politics. and its influence is
rapidly increasing. This influence is exerted
where it holds the balance of power with the
party that will do the most good. 1t was through
this influence that Delegate Cassidy. who has