Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-07-19
GOVERNOR WEST PROCLAIMs.

seen Governor Vests first proclamation,
which was published in these columns
last Saturday. Its issuance will be graft
fving to all right-thinking persons every
where, and especially TO the law-abiding
people of Utah. 1t emits no uncertain
sound; it has the true ring, and its effect
is certain to prove beneficial TO the cause
OF moral, political and ecclesiastical re-
form in this polygamy-cursed, law-defying
and priest-ridden Territory. The manner
in which the proclamation was received |
and commented upon by the Mormon
press OF this city is in itself sufficient |
assurance OF its force, and OF the wisdom |
OF its author in adopting this method to
make known to the country and to the |
civilized world the true condition OF
affairs here, and the necessity for more |
stringent legislation to effect Il wholesome
change. This, we infer, was one OF the
principal objects OF the Governor in issu-
ing his address at this time. 1t was also
doubtless designed rs warning to the
Mormon law-breakers that they need
expect no immunity at his hands, nor
such lax execution OF the laws as would
enable them to evade their provisions or
escape the penalties OF their violation.
1t is evident that the polygamists had
hoped to find in the Governor such an
Executive as would prove as accept
able to them as he would render
himself odious to all who abominate
ecclesiastical lechery and treason, respect
the laws and desire them faithfully exc
cuted. His Excellency was evidently
aware OF this feeling, or rather dcluson,
and considered it his duty to dispel it,
that there might be no incentive to crime
through the mistaken belief that it would
be officially condoned The proc lama
ton was, therefore, to certain extent,
perhaps intended as warning, and al
though it may not be soregarded by those
to whom it was directed, it was no less
commendable on that account, and those
who fail to avail themselves OF his friendly
notice cannot blame him for the results OF
their stubborn perversty 1t is also we'll
known that the missionaries sent out by
the Mormon Church never give truthful
accounts OF the polygamous practices in
Utah. Most of their dupes arrive here
under the conviction that the charge OF
polygamy is wicked Gentle lie, cut out
of whole cloth, while others have been
instructed that plural marriages are rare
exceptions in Mormondom, barely toler-
ated in some instances, but neither sane
toned nor practiced by the priesthood
nor by the main body OF the Mormon
Church. The proclamation OF the Gov
ernor, being an official document, will be
accepted as authority upon this subject.
1t will receive the attention it de-
serves from the press OF the coun-
tries from which the main sup
plies OF recruits are drawn, and
the difficulty OF the Mormon
agents i'll imposing upon their victims
will be materially increased. These are
some OF the benefits to be derived from
the Governors proclamation and were
doubtless the main causes OF its issuance.
The Mormon papers affect to treat the
matter lightly, but it is evident that they
realize the severity of the blow Their
pretence of badinage and ridicule is Il
sickly effort which deceives no one. They
know full we'll that the document was
issued for good and sufficient cause that
the statements therein are true and cul-
pable OF easy proof and that it will have
q powerful effect abroad. They pretend
to elicit considerable merriment from the
self-evident fact enunciated in the pre-
amble that there is such an organization
in Utah as the Mormon Church. 1t is
doubtless true that this was known be-
forehand to all who will be likely to read
the proclamation. 1t is also true that
most OF the People of the United and
Confederate States knew OF the organiza-
ton OF the latter and that they were in IL
state OF rebellion some time previous to
the issuance OF President Lincoln S
proclamation to that effect, but
Mr.. Lincoln issued it all the
same, reiterating the well-known
fact in his preamble, and we have never
heard that it proved prolific subject for
mirth or derision. The church organs ad-
init the weakness OF their cause when
they resort to such silly device to de-
tract from the merits OF the address,
which they are poweress to successfully
assail upon its salient points, The only
attempt at serious attack is denial that
the priesthood counsels disobedience to
the laws. This can be as easily proven
as the other self-eyident fact which is so
derided, in the Governors preamble.
The Governor need 60 no further than
President John Taylor's last "procama-
tion," issued from the underground to
the late Mormon Conference at Provo. It
is filed with advice to the Saints 10 live
their religion regardless OF the laws,
The writings and utterances OF George
q. Cannon and other Church leaders
are replete with such pernicious counsel.
The Mormon papers might as well at
tempt to disprove that polygamy was
ever practiced in this Territory us that
its continuance is not advocated openly
by every speaker and writer in good
standing in the Mormon Church. The
enlogies TO the polygamous convicts in
the Penitentary are in themselves advice