New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-27


III.
The Mormons carry their revelation business TO It's
logical extreme. could cite Dumberless instances
arising from the enforcement OF the Edmunds anti
polygamy laws where Mormon bishops. elders AMI
ordnaries have perlured themselves most UNANIMOUSLY
upon the witness-stand. Women OF the first social
rank have sworn time and again that they did not
know who was the father Of their children.
iustlfying themselves afterward 10 their Gentle
friends that they did 10 by COUNSEL or by the
naive remark that they were ~ only lying TO the
Gentle Cod" In the noted case Of Ruger Clauson
his father, a Mormon bishop and the father OF bis
wife, No l, named DInwoody. both swore
that they knew nothing whatever about any second
marriage, whereas they we're shown TO have been
present at the second ceremony. had conversation
with Mr. Cannon the present real read OF the Church
and mentioned to him these amazing periuries. lie
did not deny them, justify them. "When'" nc
asked, " when not deception the refuge OF the
oppressedl' That is one way of looking at II. but
the point is that the Mormon Church counses perjury
of defeating the law. and in doing so
but follows the principles Of It's faith TO log1cai
conclusion. There have been over thousand con-
vctlOns for unlawful cohabtation since the anti
polygamy laws began TO be honestly enforced. out
their result has been the Of making polysamy
odlous. What make it odious when the Church
teaches that the wives man has the higher
Will be his celestial exaltaOn? It claims thar the
Bible justifes polygamy that God authoflzed tio
Normons to practice it In special revelation 10
Joseph Smith that He had two motives in DONG so
first, to build Up Zlon' and second TO reduce TO
the minimum the temptations by which women are
led into sinful ways" ave Think said Mr. Cannon
TO me. that every woman should have chance to
become an honorable wife and mother and we know
that institution OF plural marriage secures THIS
and many other moral ends"
Do you regard the revelation as mandatory
asked.
There is some difference Of opinion on that sub
ject,, he replied, Evidently many Mormons do nor
think So since only small minority lived in plural
union even when we were unhindered. II you ask
my own construction Of the revelation. must say
! do consider 1t mandatory upon those whose
material circumstances enable them to follow It's IN
junction. I have had several wives though. In
obedience to the law, I live now with but one
NV first wife was all q wife could be. and married
again from sense of religious duty which she shared
and approved. My faith teaches me that In this
course have secured higher place in Heaven than
would have been mine had failed to perform my
full duty 10 society.
"The law he continued while 1t bears heavily
on me, for cannot visit my loved ones, nor nave inc
slightest Intercourse with them, is not nearly so much
of personal hardship II Is with 0ther NEIL l
have enough Of this worlds goods TO proVlae my
families with separate homes, where know theS are
in reasonable comfort even If we are denied each
others society. But many 1t falls most cruelty
Husbands have been 10 prison for ministerng 10
a diving wife or child. Whole families have been
rendered outcast because they refused the per
sonal attention of husband not rich enough to care
for them elsewhere than in his home. Huhdreds Oh
stories frelghted low with the btterest OF sorrows
might be told Of the operation Of these laws by unjust
magistrates
asked what was TO be done about III How was
1t all u end?
81 leave that to Cod he fervently replied. He
gave the law We are bound TO obey Now comes
mans law. We are bound to obey that, TOO Inc
conflict Is clear. The Church has taught IN 'hlS
situation that its followers must respect the CIVIL law
must not contract any new plural marriage must i've
with but one wife and one family. The rest is WIN
God He will show us in his own good ume no" "o
are TO reconcile his revelation with the law OF the
land.o
That Is lust the point Their obedience 70 civil
laws depends upon what their God tells them through
elderly gentlemen, who, for all we know may mis-
quote or misunderstood the Deity at any time, ana
sometimes, perhaps, most inopportunely' Veh'ureu
TO put this point to Mr. Cannon
You are asking for admission as a state.' SAID
q" for permission TO make your own laws and to ap-
p1v and enforce them yourselves. You believe you
are peope selected by God to live in accordance
with His revealed will Now, He has once already
told YOU to do a thing which 6O,OOo,OOO OF the I'M
regenerate into whose political system you ask 10
penetrate, regard as immoral anu VIcIous anu 'iIi
nal How do we know to what lengths your God
will go!"
don't think Mr.. Cannon answered that question
7 don't think he can answer II. He did say something
about there not being any statute against poIygamy
at the time the revelation was given and about an
other revelation in which God commended the Amerl-
can Constitution Joseph Smith and babe him direct
the people to obey the laws under which they Neu'
Rut tbe point remains-ther government is theoc-
racv their God has been made through his prophet 10
saw that he indorsed criminal practice Betoro
thew can reasonably expect TO become an American
state to govern themselves and to assist IN governing
the rest of U.S. they must give bonds for someDody r
their Prophet their Cod
Ara they sincere? As a people, I think they are
doonlv sincere and ferventy religious. AS 10 thelf
| leaders we'll the alternatives are distinct. Ihey
ar, either right or the most infamous OF scoundres
If they are right the rest of the world Is OBVIOUSLY Ill
a serious fix