The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-12-07

Two weeks ago The TRIBUNE
published and commented upon
some of the evidence being brought
out in Judge Anderson's Court in
Salt Lake City concerning the COM
patibility for citizenship Of mem
bers of the Mormon church and
also of Mormons who have taken
that rite of the church known as
the Endowments. After listening
to the testimony and arguments
covering a period of two weeks,
Judge Anderson delivered his opin-
ion last Saturday. After review
ing the testimony Of several apos-
tate Mormons who said that they
took oaths against the U. s. Gov
eminent, the decision reads:
The witnesses for the applicants,
while refusing to disclose the oath,
promises and covenants of the en-
dowment ceremonies, and the pen
alties attached thereto, testified
generally that there was nothing
in the ceremonies inconsistent with
loyalty to the government of the
United States, and that the govern
ment was not mentioned. One of
the objects of this investigation is
to ascertain whether the oaths and
obligations Of the Endowment
house are incompatible with good
citizenship, and it is not for appli-
cants' witnesses to determine this
question. The refusal of applicants
witnesses to state specifically what
oaths, obligations or covenants are
taken or entered into these cere-
monies, renders their testimony of
but little value, and tends to con-
firm rather than contradict evil
dence on this point offered by the
directors. The evidence establish
es beyond any reasonable doubt
that the endowment ceremonies are
inconsistent with the oath an appli-
cant for citizenship is rexuired to
take. The applications are there
fore denied.
The other branch of the inves-
tigation, whether alien members of
the Mormon church should be
granted the privileges of citizen
ship, took the widest range. Ex-
tracts from the Mormon Book of
Covenants, from addresses made by
Brigham Young, from the Journal
Of Discourses, from prayers made
by the priesthood, were introduced.
The half-masting of the American
flag in Salt Lake when the news
that President Cleveland had sign
ed the Edmunds-Tucker bill was
received, and the fact that Nor
mons when convicted of polygamy
and the court has offered to sus-
pend sentence or inflict light pen
atty if the offenders would would
promise to obey the laws were also
investigated. The Court concludes
as follows:
AS to their teaching obedience to
the laws of the land, it is
only taught in general terms.
During the ten days this investiga-
ton lasted, not word of evidence
was introduced or offered showing
that any preacher or teacher of the
of the church ever, in single in ]
stance, advised obedience to the
laws against polygamy.
Undoubtedly there are many
members of this church who feel
friendly to the government, and
would gladly break the shackles
that bind them to the Mormon
priesthood if they felt that they
priesthood if they felt that they
dared do so but with an organ
ization the most thorough that can
be imagined, which can be welded
against them, they remain in the
church rather than take the risk of
financial ruin and social ostracism.
The Mormon church teaches,
First-That it is the actual and
yeritable kingdom Of God on earth,