The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-06

dreds Of miles from their homes. II
poor and friendless, they are obliged
to remain in Jail during months, per.
haps, that elapse before a session of
the court is held and are finally
brought to trial surrounded by stran-
| gers and with but little real oppor-
tunity for defense. In the meantime
frequently the marshal has charged
against the government his fees for
an arrest, the transportation of the
accused and the expense Of the same
and for summoning witnesses before
a commissioner, and district attor-
neys have also made their charge
against the government. This abuse
in the administration of our criminal
law should be remedied. and if the
plan herein suggested is not practi-
cable, some other should be devised.
THE MORMON PROBLEM.
In the territory Of Utah the law of
the United States passed for the sup
preston of polygamy has been ener-
getically and faithfully executed du.
ring the present year with measurely
good results, a number Of convictions
have been secured for unlawful CO.
habitation, and in some cases pleas
of guilty have been entered and a
slight punishment imposed upon a
promise by the accused that they
would not again offend against the
law nor advise, counsel, aid or abet
in any way its violation by others.
The Utah commissioners express
the opinion based upon such informa-
tion as they are able to obtain, that
but few polygamous marriages have
taken place in the territory during
the last year. They further report
that while there cannot be found up
on the registration lists of voters the
name Of q man actually guilty ofpo-
lygamy, and while none of that class
are holding Office, yet at the last
election in the territory all the off,
GERS elected except in one county,
were men who, though not actually
living in the practice of polygamy.
subscribe to the doctrine of polyga-
nous marriages as a divine reyela-
ton and law unto all, higher and
more binding upon the conscience
than any human law, local or nation
al. This is the strange spectacle pre-
sentcd Of . community protected by
Republican form of government to
which they owe allegiance, sustaining
by their sufrages a principle and
bslief which sets at naught that obli-
cation of absolute obedience to the
law Of the land, which lies at the
foundation ofrepublican institutions.
The strength, the perpetuity and the
destiny Of the nation rest upon our
homes, established by the law of God,
guarded by parental care, regulated
by parental authority and sanctifed
by parental love. These are not the
homes Of po!ygamy.
The mothers Of our land, who rrle
the nation as they mould the charac.
ters and guide the actions Of their
sons. live according to Gods holy
ordinances, and each secures happi-
ness.in the exclusive love Of the
father of her children, shades the
warm light Of true womanhood, un-
proYerted and unpolluted upon ali
within her pure and wholesome family
circle. These are not the cheerless,
crushed and unwomanly mothers of
polygamy. The fathers of our fam
lilies are the best citizens of the Repub-
lie. Wife and children are the sources
of patriotism, and conjugal and pa
rental affection beget devotion to the |
country.
The man who indebted with plu.
raj marriage is surroundedin his sin
gle home with his wife and children
has stake in the country which in
spires him with respect for its laws
and courage for its defense. These
are not the fathers Of polygamous
families. There is no feature Of this
practice or the system which sane
Lions il which is not opposed to all
that is OF value to our Institutions.
There should he no relaxation in
the firm but just execution Of the law
now in operation, an@ I should be
glad to approve such further discreet
as will rid the country of
this blot upon its fair fame. Since
the people upholding ,polygamy in
our territories are reinforced by i'm
migration from other lands, l rec
commend that law be passed TO
prevent importation Of Mormons into
the country. :.
OUR AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.