The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-05-27
THE REPLY.
aHd not 70 Individuals.

wives, 10 Governor West. published
this mornings HERALD, is in many II
spects remarkable document. 1t
respectful in its language; disclaim
any defiance against the laws or thos
who execute them. and asks that thei
communication be not construed t
mean defiance. as their silence ha
been; and expresses an appreciation 0
Governor Vests kindly feeling toward
them; but after all that they respect
fully decline 70 accede to the Governor
proposition. And why? Let then
answer for themselves:
80 far as compliance with your
proposition requires the sacrifice Of
honor and manhood, the reputation OF
our wives and children, the violation OF
sacred covenants, Heaven forbid that
we should be guilty OF such perfdy
perpetual imprisonment with which We
are threatened, or even death itself
would be preferable.
Dearly as We prize the great boon
of liberty, We cannot afford TO OBJ
tain It by proving untrue to our con-
sciences, our religion and our God" r.
Nobler words from more conscien-
tious men were never uttered. They
will stand in favorable contrast with
anything that has been said by mar
tyrs for conscience sake IN any age of
the world. Those men and thousands
of others in this Territory believe that
their union to their wives Is sanctioned
by Divine law. The relationship was
entered into in good faith on their part.
and all its obligations were discharged
with religious fidelity. The cruel, spe-
eial enactments of Congress have failed |
to drive from the hearts OF the Nor
mon people those deep-rooted convic-
tons Ct the heart. Equally futile has
been the brutal interpretations and en-
forcement of those special laws to &C.
eomplish the same end; we fearlessly |
predict that all such efforts will fail in
the future. and in the light OF our
present civilization and supposed ad
Tancements from the barbarisms Of the /
past. they deserve to fail.
There is no bombast in
the replys 10 the Governor. No 4
jealous fanaticism seeking
martyrdom for glory's sake. but quiet,
respectful expression of determination
to be true TO their convictions, to their
manhood, to their religion and to their
God. It should be a solemn warning
to those dealing with the Mormon
problem that they are dealing with a
question which involves the religious
convictions of a numerous people.
which if they seek to crush out by
means Of coercion will cover them with |
eternal infamy eren If it should fail TO /
pull down upon their uncovered heads
the wrath Of an offended God. ]
Il viii be vain to say these men are
slaves to their spiritual leaders, and
dare not break their bonds Those
leaders are powerless 10 infict any
punishment upon the people for re-
pudiating their religious faith, except it
bea Withdrawing of their fellowship
from parties 90 offending; and this has
always been the limit of their power.
At present every human interest would
seem to be enhanced by a remuneration
Of their religion. By doing so
they are promised liberty, which would
seem 70 bring in its train every other
human happiness. All Christendom
would open wide its arms to receive
them. and all the avenues to positions
Of honor, trust, and emolument would !,
be thrown open to them. On the other
hand. by clinging to their religion. re-
tanning their self-respect. being true TO
their wives and children, to their re-
ligion and their God. they are threat
eaed with perpetual imprisonment in
fhe company of the vile thieves and
-murderers inhaSiting the prisons. And
be it further remembered that the men
so threatened are men owning neat,
comfortable homes. where all the com
Ierts and rehnements of life. IL not the |
Iuxuries. are enjoyed. And yet these
men in the face Of all this, quietly, but
firmly. choose the PRISONS gloom with
honor, rather than liberty and dis
honor. And yet we are told that these
men are slavesl This is not the ma.
terial out OF which slaves are made.
Did they possess any of the currish ma
ture ascTibed TO them, they would lay
down at the feet of their would-be mas /
tiers, who have sought 10 wiring from
their bps words that would forever dis
grace them in their own eyes and in the
eyes of their families, and there whine
out their. Remuneration of their religion.
Bot thus far, in the face OF al the