The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-12
MORMON CITIZENSHIP.
The Indeponden.

MORMON CITIZENSHIP.
Last week we mentioned the ex-
posures Of the secrets Of the Mormon
Endowment House before United
States Court in Salt Lake City in the
case Of applicants for citizenship whoac-
kuowledged they had been through the
Endowment House ard taken its obi
cations. We now have the decision Of
Judge Anderson denying the applica-
ton for citizenship on the ground that
it had bsen proved that the oaths taken
in the Endowment House are treason
able, and bind those who take them to
aysngo the death of the prophets
Joseph and Hiram Smith, upon the
Government and people Of the United
States.
Eleven witnesses who had been mem
bers Of the Mormon Church, several OF
whom had been bishops. and all Of
whom had taken the Endowment oaths,
testified that every member of the
church expected to go through the En-
dowment House, and that nearly all do
so that marrisges are usually solemn
lied there, snd that those who are mar
ried elsewhere 20 through the abomina-
bic Endowment House ceremonies at az
early a date thereafter as practicable,
in order that the marital relation shall
continue throughout eternity. It was
further shown that these ceremonies
occupy the greater part of a day. and
include the taking Of an oath. obligA-
ton. or covenant by each, that they
will avenge the blood OF tho prophets.
Joseph aud Hiram Smith upon the gov
eminent OF the United States, and will
enioin this Obligation upon their
children into the third and fourth
generations, that lac or she viii obey
the priesthood in all things, and viii
never reveal the secrets Of the Endow-
ment House under penalty Of having
their Threats cut from ear TO ear, their
bowels torn out and their hearts cut out
Of their bodies. The right arm IS an
nointed that il may be strong to avengs
the blood Of the prophets. An under
garment, called the endowment robe, IA
then put on and is to be worn ever
after. On this robe. over the heart, are
certain marks OF designs intended to re-
mind the wearer Of the penalties that
will be inflicted In case Of violation OF
the oath. The fourteen witnesses who
testified in favor Of the applicants re-
fused 80 state specifically what the
oaths are, and their testimony did not
shake that which had been offered.
Judge Anderson summed up the evil
lence. showing that it was proved that
"the Church claims and exercises the
right to control its members in temporal
as we'll as spiritual affairs, that the
doctrine OF blood atonement is still
held, under which an offender, for GER
tain onenses. shall suffer death, and
that the church has, with all the means
at its command, opposed the enforce
msnt Of the laws OF the United States
agains. polygamy. Judge Anderson
then concludes:
when a man Of foreign birth comes
here and joins an organization, although
professsdly religious. which requires Of
him an allegiance paramount to his
allegiance to the government, an or
gauiza.iou that impiously claims to be
the Kingdom Of God, to control its
members under his Immediate direc-
ton, and yet teaches and practices
system OF morals shocking to Christian
people everywhere. it is time FOR courts
to pause and inquire whether such
men as applicants should be admitted
10 citizenship. The evidence in this
case establishes unQuesiionably that the
Teachings, practices and purposes Of the
Mormon Church are antagonlstic to the
Government Of the United States, utter
BY subversive Of good morals and the
wellbeiug of society, and that its mem
beers are animated by feeling Of hos
hlity toward the government and It's
laws. therefore an alien who is q nam
bsr Of said Church is not fit person
to be made citizen Of the United
States. The applications are therefore
denied"
We thank Judge Anderson for this
sensible decision. II Mormons want t.
become citizens let them change their
endowment oath. lie. them cease TO
impose oath5 Of hostility to The United
States. Let them ceass to put murder
into their oaths. Let them cease TO op-
pose the execution Of the laws against
polygamy, and cease to practice it. II
short, let them accept the conditions Of
good citizenship before they ask 70 be
made citizens OF country whose laws
and institutions they have hitherto
wickedly pledged themselves to OPP
pose.-The Independent
Mr.. GLADSTONE'S PARISH.
During the recent stay Of two days
| in Chester, Eng, | took "iiyN and