The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25

reputable, Swore that the United States
government, nation or people were not
mentioned in the endowment ceremonies
these witnesses, however, Messrs. CAHooN
and LAWRENCE, did undertake to suppose
that the government was included within
the alleged oath to avenge the blood of the
prophets. As to the others of the eleven,
one claimed that vengeance was to be
visited upon 'this nation" another ''upon
this government and all it's people," another
''on this nation and Its officers from the
highest to the lowest" and so on with
other very suspicious variations not deemed
to be worthy judicial notice or men
ton. Several of the witnesses for the
directors were completely impeached on
the trial - another unimportant fact
not worthy of consideration. Most of
the witnesses for the applicants de-
clined to reveal the precise formula of
the endowments but denied in as many
ways as they could, in answer to the ques-
lions of counsel, that there was any
such oath or covenant as that con-
tended for, or any obligation in any
manner open to construction as treasona-
BILE or incompatible with citizenship. Some
of the witnesses went so far as to Indicate
that all there is in the ceremony is said il
lecture, in which the 9th and 10th verses
of the sixth chapter of Revelations are
quoted.
These gentlemen would not reveal the
formula because of a covenant not to dis
| close the secrets of the ceremony. The aft
davits of ELI b. KELSEY and the testimony
of E. L. T. HARRISON, apostate Mormons.
were offered in support of the fact that
there is absolutely nothing in the cere-
mony that can fairly be construed into
treason or that is incompatible with good
citizenship. Such was the testimony: upon
that alone no fair man should, no fair man
in fact will, hesitate to absolve the Mormon
people from treason so far as the endow-
ment ceremonies are concerned The
judges position that the failure of the
Mormon witnesses to divulge the precise
words of the ceremony, is almost con-
elusive proof that they are treasona-
BILE, would prove a Mason to be a
man sworn to commit murder, if.
by reason of sworn secrecy, he should
hesitate at revealing the precise char
acter of Masonic penalties. But in ad-
dition to this evidence, was the failure
of evidence on the part of the directors,
though they were challenged to produce it,
that any effort had ever been made by the
Mormon church or people or by any Nor
mon to avenge the blood of the prophets
upon this nation or any official or inhabi-
tant of this country this fact alone is conclu-
sive of the controversy, but is, of course, IN
worthy the attention of the learned Judge.
The DIRECTORS farther asserted that Nor
mons, who have not gone through the En-
dowment house, are not fit to become citi-
zens because the church is reasonable in
its teachings and practices and disobedient
to the laws of this country.
The judge thought the charge of treason
to be established by proof of sermons
preached when hostile force was approach
ing this territory, by expressions of be-
lief that anJi-polygamy legislation was
wrong, by prayers such as described, by
the half-masting of the flag because of I'M
just laws and oppressive officials, and by
one or two other circumstances of an
harmless nature. The utter
ances of Mormon officials have all
been put in print, and they are
brought now, under entirely changed cir
cumstances, in judgment upon that peo-
pie. Hov few men there are who would |
wish to have the words of to-day quoted |
upon them tomorrow; or in their calmer |
to be confronted with expressions |
made in angeor or excitement. The Judge |
sums up the Objectionable teachings of the |
Mormon church as follows: First-That |
this is the actual church of God in embryo;
it is both temporal and |
spiritual and should rightfully control;
it will overthrow the United |
States and all governments; Fourth
That "blood atonement' is of God and that |
certain sins may be RENTED Dy shedding |
the blood of the transgressor; Fifth
That polygamy is true and brings exalta-
ton; Sixth That Congress has no right |
to interfere with the Mormon religion and |
its anti-polygamy laws are unwarranted
The Judge only claims that these things
are taught.
Should man be denied the right of citi-
senship in this country because of his
belief, if his life has been blameless? 1t
opinions similar to those enunciated by the
udge, but have they ever sought to
establish the kingdom of Con by force?
IS it reasonable to believe that the king
ION of COP will be established, or
% believe that we owe allegiance to this
Kingdom in temporal affairs, so long as we
hey the laws of this country! Is it
to believe that certain offenses
an only be RENTED by blood atonement,
when no one attempts, and not single in
stance can be cited where any Mormon has
fought to 'blood atonen anyone! Is it
criminal to believe that polygamy is right
f you do not practice it? or to entertain
he view that Congress has overstepped its
limits in special legislation against the
dormons? The honesty, frugality, virtue.
and general worth of Mormons
IS citizens and the excellence of Mormon
in general were undisputed.
There was ne allegation that the Nor
mons in any respect, save one, are not
aw- abiding. AS to poloygamy, it was
Omitted during the investigation that not
nore than one man in twenty of the
population is in polygamy. Whatever may
'e the teachings of the Mormon church.
he Mormon people are law-abiding and
Industrious, the pioneers of this vast inter
region. Either Judge ANDERSON
5 wrong in his conclusion that the teach
ngs of the Mormon church are pernicious,
r he is wrong in his conclusion that
dormons yield paramount allegiance to
hose teachings. There was no proof,
here was indeed no claim, that Mormon
.s..A.- ~