New-York tribune., 1890-01-05
uoRnoYISM And STATEHOOD.

With four new States Just admitted there
arc others still which have made preparation
and Will ask admission. having the requisite
population. But q question, nominally of re-
ligious faith, will arse regarding at least two
of them, upon which Congress needs 20 act
with care. Utah, il is well known is virtually
owned by the >o-cacd Mormon Church. The
evidence recently given before the supreme
Court OF Utah was hardly necessary 10 cStab-
lish the fact that a community so controlled
could not be a iit member of the sistcrhood OF
States. but that testimony is of use in proving
how persiNcntly and intensely disOyal is now
and ever has been the spirit ruling IN and
through the Mormon priesthood. Ii is NOT
enough to say that adherentS OF the So-called
Church cannot he trusted 10 act rs good cit
izens The evidence makes it plain that
Mormon in open or secret fidelity 20 his priest
hood cannot he loyal 10 the United states.
The laws of the >o-callcd Church and The avs
of the United states are at war that which is
claimed 20 he fundamental IN The Mormon
faith is hostile 10 the very essence OF the Con-
>tituiion and the authority of the United states.
Few viii openly favor the admission of tah
10 the Union But the same question aii>es
regarding Idaho for the Mormon power is
understood 20 be securely established i'm the
southern part OF that Territory. il is not yet
known. and perhaps cannot be, what portion OF
the male adults IN Idaho acknowledge Mormon
authority. The policy of the So-callcd Church
has bccn 20 permit and even 10 encourage coy
tain of its adhcrcnts 20 profess abandonment
of its allegiance. and TO take any oath required
rt,trf a f Hf,IN
Office under the United States. Letters Of dis
missal arc regularly given by the priesthood. il
: said 20 those whom they desire 10 have takc
Dal+ In civil government. Court records of thc
Territories are iuil of evidence hat perfumes
are thus committed at fhc direction ot t1e
priesthood and citizenship assumed and oath>
of Office taken by hose who are still in iart
the mere tools of the so-called Church.
II is not supposed that The majority of thc
inhabitants of Idaho have any relations what
ever with Mormouism and at first thought u
may seem unjust 70 exclude loyal and good
citizens from the benefits of statehood because
of Mormon influence over q minority But 10
-hc possible voters controlled hy thc priesthood
arc but o fifth OF the whole number u Idaho
rs some believe balance of power between
-hc Mormon hierarchy. Bccognizuc no other
Iulc of action than orders of thc priesthood
this body OF voters could Doe thrown wherever
he Church could secure The largest concessions
and The SurcSt ntIcnchmcnt Of Us power. IT
here were no such danger II .s still fhc .ac'
that methods OF government permitted to conn
'ics and towns under State organization would
render il practically impossible 'o execute law,
IN o part of thc Territory completely controlled
by the Mormon hierarchy. Free settlement
would be impossible there free ownership of
and or water nights, or any other privileges
which are requisite 20 civilized life.
Before Congress consents to admit Idaho
members will take great caro- 20 soc that 'ho
disloyal power of Mormonism has been guard
ed against beyond pcradyonurc. Mormon au.
-ho1tics have long desired 10 gc' loothod
somewhere within the states. So that uued
states avs and courts could bc invoked TO pro-
'cct pretended religious belief The Nation
has no occasion 10 permit The question to be
raised in such form. 4 portion of territory
settled and entirely controlled by q di~loy1
conspiracy should not be allowed 20 become q
state or county with any right of self govern
ment under United states avs.