Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-03-04
STRUCK 1T AT LAST.

Alter several years tihkerlhS anu
handling with gloves, Congress has at
last taken hold of the Mormon ques-
ton with an intelligence that shows
they now realize the evil they are
called upon to destroy, and with
vigor that forebodes success 1t is
the first time any appreciation OF the
real character of that question has
been manifested by the National Leg
islature.
People generally suppose that po-
lygamy is the great evil of Mormon
ism. Polygamy is but a fungus, an
incident, barnacle, as it were, upon
the reasonable body of the Church
of Later Day-Saints The Mormon
Church is pretended religious and
an exclusive business organization.
Its fundamental principle is exclusive
power in a priesthood to direct, con-
troll and hold all spiritual and tenn
poral matters, by pretended divine
authority, higher than and superior to
any earthly law. Any law of Con-
gress, clashing with the order of the
priesthood, is taught TO be contrary to
Gods order and void. Polygamy is
only one of the tenets Of the order;
one of its most powerful tenets, It's
true, because it enslaves its victims
for all time, still it is only ali incident
to Mormonism.
Mormonsm is treason. Mormons
are traitors because they are nullifiers
of the law. Traitors have no rights
in the management of this govern
ment, except to receive punishment
for crime after fair hearing and con-
viction. Mormons have had years OF
trials, hearings and time for reforma-
tons. Instead of teaching re-
pentance and obedience to law, they
have grown stronger in treason and
waxed stouter and stOuter with thell
immunity from punishment.
The evil can be tinkered with nc
longer. Congress has now before it I
bill, introduced by Representative
Woodburn, of Nevada, which shoult
pass at once. 1t will cure the evil il
the Territories. III
The bill provides: that no perso'
in any Territory who in any manne
practices, counsels, encourages or ad
vises another to marry, have oonsol
or cohabits with more than on
other lawful wife or husband; or is
member of or helps to support 81
ciety that SO practices, shall vot
or hold Office, or locate and sett
upon pablo land or serves as juro
1t requires before any of these thing
that the party offering shall take {
oath similar to the Idaho test oat
Taking such oath falsely is perjur
punished by fine not more than SIC
900, and imprisonment not less than S
nor more than II years. IL also d
clares all reglstery books or lists no
existing, void. Directs new registr
ton, before election, in accordanc
with the foregoing provisions and
reefs the method to enforce the
provisions.
q. Well done! Mr.. WOODBURY.. T
patriotic people of this mighty N
Northwest thank you for being
first man who has vet offered a re
edy that goes to the root of the e,
which degrades women, demora!i;
society, nullifes the laws of the la
and threatens to disintegrate rep,
lican institutions.
This legislation will effect the I
ritories alone. If Mormonism g
the mastery in State, then Congr
must, and we doubt not, viii follow
there, with an iron hand, and Kill
by authority of that constitutio
provision which makes it the duty
Congress to secure to every State
republican form of government.
priesthood, theocratic tyranny is
arepublican form of government, ;
IN its presence and beneath its W
ering rule the spirit OF liberty wo
sicken and die. .....