Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-10
THE WOMEN OF UTAH.
Their Protest Against Wrongs and
Grievances.
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1856.

WASHINGTON, April 8, 1856.
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
In The EVENING STAR of April 9TH find,
under the heading "A Mormon Petition" some
errors stated that L am prepared to correct, in
reference to the memorial OF the women OF
Utah, recently presented in the Senate of the
United States by the Hon. Henry w. Blair. The
memorial was drafted by a committee OF "Mor-
mon" women, whose signatures were attached
to each engrossed copy, this committee having
been nominated at a mass meeting of over two
| thousand women from all parts OF the territory,
while assembled to protest against the wrongs
and grievances under which they are suffering
from the maadministratlon OF the Edmunds
law Of 1882; and also against the disfranchise-
ment OF the women OF Utah, who have voted
for sixteen years, and who are not even accused
of violating any law, and other measures
included in the Edmunds bill, which recently
passed the Senate of the United States.
mormon" women have, surely, some rights
left that ought To be respected, and one OF these
is the right To petition the President and the
Congress vi the United States for redress and OF
presenting to them and 10 the people, facts and
incidents in relation To the existing condition
OF affairs in the Territory where they reside,
which are OF vital importance To the welfare of
the community, and specially oppressive in
application TO those most deeply Interested.
The Edmunds law OF 1852 is sufficiently
rigid when enforced, To satisfy those who are
really anxious TO abolish ''polygamy, and To
adopt harsher measures and add severity and
cruelty to the administration IS not only an
injustice 10 those already suffering punish
ment but amounts TO positive persecution.
Do the American people forget that these
women, against whom such pressure OF cir
cumstances is brought To bear at the present
time are their sisters in the one great family OF
the Union: and that they have human hearts
and affections as tender and true as their own
Do they realize that it is simply because of their
religious faith, and for a principle OF it, that
they hold to be sacred and divine, that they are
suffering these hardships? Ii they do, is il not
in the interest OF humanity 10 see that no
cruelty is inflicted upon these women and chill
dren, but that the law be humanely and wisely
adm Mustered by men who have common sym
pathy and true respect for motherhood and the
purity of little children.
That Mormon" women are harassed and
ANNOYED and insul;ed unnecessarily by IN
principlcd men employed as deputy marshais
and spies, who have no genuine respect Tor
womannocd, and think any measure VIII be
justified in dealing with the wives and daugn-
tiers oil "MOrnlons Is very apparent, ana GER
tainly calls loudly, and should not call in vain,
for an investigation in regard 10 these ole lscs
and "a radical change in dealing with sucn "a
delicate matter as the severing OF family ties
and the breaking up OF homes that were SO
dear TO those who toiled together To establish
them, and whose hearts are entwined around
each other closely that 10 separate them Is 10
infiict wound that only divine love can ever
heal.
The incidents cited in the memorial referred
to only lew oil the many cases in which
! insults and outraSes upon propriety and even
common deceucy have been committed by
men VINO usurp authority In out OF the way dis
tricts and places, illuminating with threats
ana IN SdIlouS ways QtitusclcSs which
children. When at home in Salt Lake City =
am almost daily in receipt OF letters FROM
different parts of Utah, Arizona and Idaho
giving information in detail OF facts pertaining
10 arrests, serving OF writs, warrants and the
conduct OF these deputies and spies. Houses
are broken into in the night time, the sleeping
apartments OF women are causeiessly invaded
and the occupants insulted. Whole families
are arrested and dragged before grand juries,
and women and children are terroriZed and III
terrogated in an indecent manner by hectoring
district attorneys and their assistants in Office.
Do you think such things reasonable because
the women are "MOrinonS:"
In the interest OF motherhood, OF young
women and children OF tender years, and in
the interest of universal humanity, appeal TO
the mothers of America and entreat them 10
consider the situation in Utah, brought feel
ingly and forcibly TO their notice in the me-
mortal just presented to Congress, and would
prejudice, before further cruelties and greater
| hardships are imposed upon people already
suffering persecution for conscience sake.
As one OF the delegates Senuhere 10 present
| the memorial of the women OF Utah TO the
President aud 10 the Congress Of the United
States, felt called upon To reply to the unfav-
orable notice of it in your paper and as L have
| the mormon" women at the national capital
| and elsewhere, and am the editor OF the :. Nor
mon" wOmans paper, l feel authorized TO
speak in their behalf, and TO defend their in
| terests In whatever way possible. ana especially
at this time, when the Hood OF pre- udice aud
them SO heavily; and As the friend OF all who
love justice and desire 10 protect human rights,
| remain, very respectfully, &c.
| Editor ..woman's Exponent"
| Salt Lake City, Utah.