Arizona republican., 1890-09-07
MORMONISM AND CRIME.


 Some of the anti Mormon papers say that the reason that the Mormons have never been pros ecuted in this Territory Is that the judiciary has been Democratic. This excuse cannot be used now while it is Republican. Bring them before the bar of justice and try them for the crimes of which they are accused. Why should they go unpunished? There can be no excuse in Coehise county for not "doing them up." The machin- cry of the law is entirely in the hands of those who accuse them of criminal acts. Bring them up or else shut up,
 The above from the Tombstone Pros pecior is sample of the twaddle put forth by the subsidized Mormon press of Arizona in defense of the Lords an nointed." The only prosecutions ever made in this Territory were made under Republican rule, when number of Mormons were convicted of various crimes and sent to the penitentiary. When Judge Wright was on the bench they were greatly encouraged in their criminality, but as soon as change in administration occurred they began to be more discreet, knowing full well that Republican officials would enforce the law.
 It is one thing to be morally certain of law breaking and another to prove il in the courts, particularly against the Mormons. Freedom of conscience |; unknown among them and whatever the church orders, is obeyed implicitly Let but Mormon be arrested for big amy and every man and woman in tht church will perjure themselves in oper court for him, under instructions of tho church officials. It is their religion and they must do it.
 A church that will promote peniten tiary convict from bishop to President O stake the moment he is released iron prison has no compunctions on sucl little matters as perjury. A sample O their ideas of oaths may be cited II Apache county a few years ago. A cas- was on trial wherein a number of Mor mons were anxious to get on the jur, so as to convict man. One O them when sworn and questioneC declared on his oath that h. knew absolutely nothing of the case q issue. He was accepted. The case wa tried and the moment the jury retire' to the jury room this same Mormon ex claimed to his fellow jurors, Well i won't take us long to settle this case, know all about it."
 When questioned as to what he kneN he began telling story that had no been touched in evidence. "You - rascal" exclaimed one of the jurors "you declared on oath that you kne' nothing whatever of this case, now yo tell us you know all about it, what d you mean by such perjury?"
 70 we'll l was not questioned closel as to what I knew" was his reply.
 Again when Barney Matthews wa murdered by the Mormons in St. John a Mormon jury acquitted his murderer on the plea of self defense, ,notwithstanc ing that the testimony showed that tn man was shot three times in the bdck, an that he was unarmed when killed.
 It is this class of people that such hir, lings as the PrOspeetOr stand up an defend. People who hesitate not at an crime under heaven so long as it ''r, moves our enemies," as expressed b one of their Apostles. Under the guis of religion virtue is made a by-word licentiousness is rewarded; bigamy ( polygamy is taught to be one of tn requisites to reach the kingdom , heaven; perjury is a saintly pastimC arson is doing good for the church, an midnight assassination is helping work out the destiny of the "Lord : Anointed.
 , All these crimes and more have r, : ceived the sanction of the Mormo church time and again, yet when tt
 party of progress and advancemer declares against this close organizatio , of law-breakers the cry goes up th' , they are being persecuted for conscienc sake. They have no conscience. The recognize no reproof save what com, from the church recognize no law, bl such as is expounded by their bishop } and no Government but that with heaC
 quarters at Salt Lake City. The,
 things cannot be gainsaid and it is big , time to wipe the foul blot from Arizona . aoil