The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-01

n o. Angel, Jr. 1t is a transformation fror
sunshine TO gloom, from the heroic to the cor
temptible. Had the gentleman climbed to an,
heighth in the walks OF religion and other de
partments of life, he might have been desie
mated fallen angel. AS it is. he probably bu
carries out the highest ideas he has OF greatness
| and may not be open to censure as severe
| would be the JUS due OF minds OF greater &C
vancement. It does not appear that Mr.. Angel
| can possess anything like q correct conception
Of the grandeur OF being consistent. Let hin
| pass"
| LIBERTY AND DIsHoNoR.
This afternoon Mr.. Septimus W. Sears. as
Will be seen by statement elsewhere, wen
| before the court with the same alternative a
| Bishop Clawson. He chose liberty and dis
honor. There is but little need of comment OF
| the case. Let the reader pursue what we hav,
said in relation to MI. Ciawson, and he has but T.
imagine its opposite in order TO understand our
eStina'e OF the position" (Deseret Ners, Sep
TENDER Is, 1857
AS further showing how the Mormon
church honors those who violate the laws
of the United States it i only necessary to
look at the cases of some of its leaders.
John Taylor. lately one of the presidents
of the church, was indicted for unlawful
| Capitalization, and died while in ding to
avoid arrest, still retaining his position as
president.
George Q. Cannon, who is now one of
the presidents of the church, was indicted
| for the same offense, and served a term in
the penitentiary. Apostle John Henry
| Smith, witness in this case, testified that
he is polygamist, and that he married his
plural wife since the law of 1862 was
passed prohibiting polygamy. Charles w.
Penrose, who was q witness in this case,
and who was indicted for unlawful cohab
itation, and was pardoned by the President
of the United States, is to-day the editor of
the newspaper organ of the church. Jo-
seph f. Smith, who is also one of The pres
idents of the church. is and has been for
several years, under indictment for unlaw-
full cohabitation, and has been hiding from
the officers to avoid arrest.
It is claimed by counsel for applicants,
and some evidence was introduced tending
to show that in the Doctrine and Covenants
and other church publications
OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS oF THE LAND
is taught, and also that the constitution of
the United States is an inspired instru-
ment; but the evidence discloses that the
reason the constitution of the United
States is considered an inspired instru-
ment is that it is construed by Mormons to
prohibit the passing of any law against
polygamy, and all such laws are considered
by them as in violation of the constitution.
AS to their teaching obedience to the laws
OF the land, it is only taught in general
terms. During the ten days this investi-
PallOu luSI6U, uOC WUru OF evidence was
introduced or offered showing that any
preacher or teacher of the church ever, in
single instance, advised obedience to the
laws against polygamy. On the contrary,
the evidence in this case, and the whole
history of the Mormon church in Utah show
that il has persistently refused obedience
to at least portion of the laws of the gov
erument. has insulted and driven United
States officers from the territory, has de-
a. 81, : ~
pass laws prohibiting pOlygamy as unwar-
ranted interference with their religion, and
generally has antagonized and
DENOUNCED The GOVERNMENT
in almost every possible way. Undoubt-
edly there are many members of this church
who feel friendly TO the government, and
would gladly break the shackes tn { bind
them to the Mormon priesth BOD if they felt
that they dared do so; but with an organi-
cation the most thorough that can be imag-
ined, which can be welded against them,
they remain in the church rather than take
the risk of financial ruin and social Os-
tracism.
The Mormon church teaches, First-That
it is the actual and veritable kingdom of
God on earth, not in its fullness, because
Christ has not yet come to rule in person,
but for the present he rules through the
priesthood of the church, who are his vice
gerents on earth.
Second-That this kingdom is both tenn
poral and spiritual kingdom, and should
rightfully control and is entitled to the
highest allegiance of men in all their affairs.
Third-That this kingdom will overthrow
the United States and all other govern
ments, after which Christ will reign in
person.
Fourth-That the doctrine of 'blood
atOnement' is of God, and that under il
certain sins which the blood of Christ can
not atone for. may be RENTED by shedding
the blood of the transgressor.
Fifth-That polygamy is command Of
God which if a member obeys he will be
exalted in the future life above those who
10 not.
Sixth-That the Congress of the United
States has no right under the constitution
to pass any law in any manner interfering
with the practices Of the Mormon religion,
and that the acts of Congress against po-
lygamy, and DISTINGUISHING those who prac-
tice it, are Vnwarranted interference with
their religion.
CAN MEN BE MADE TRUE AND LOYAL
citizens by such teachings, or are they
likely tC remain so surrounded by such in
huences! Will men become attached to
the principles of the constitution Of the
United States when they hear the govern
ment constantly denounced as tyrannical
and oppressivei 1t would be as unreason-
able to expect such result as it would be
to expect to gather grapes from thorps or
figs from thistles.
1t has always been and still is the policy
of this government to encourage aliens
who in good faith come to reside in this
country, to become citizens; but when a
man of foreign birth comes here and Joins
an organization, although professedly re-
ligious, which requires of him an allegiance
paramount TO his allegiance to the govern
nent, an organization that impiously and
blasphemously claims to be the Kingdom of
God, to control its members under his i'm
mediate direction, and yet teaches and
practices a system of morals shocking to
Christian people everywhere, and under
which the marriage of a man to two or
more sisters. or to a mother and daughter
is sanctioned, an organization that sane
tions
BLOOD AToNEMENT AS A MEANS OF GRACE,
and murder as penalty for revealing the
secrets of its ceremonies, and which for
nearly half century has refused to
acknowledge the supremacy OF the United
States or render obedience to its laws, it is
time for tue courts to pause and inquire
whether such an applicant should be ad
mitted to citizenship.
The evidence 10 this case establishes I'm
questionably that the teachings, practices
and aims OF the Mormon church are
antagnonistic to the government of the
United States, utterly subversive of
good morals and the Well being of society,
and that its members are animated by
feeling of hostility towards the govern
.nenU and its laws, and therefore an alien
who is member Of said church is not ut
oerson TO be made citizen of the United
States.
The applications of Frederick W. Miller,
Henry j. Owen, John Berg, Charles E.
Clissold, Nils Anderson, Carl p Larson,
Thomas M Mumford, John Garbett and