The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-19
THE NEW ACCUSATION.

Last Monday in the Third district court
some Mormons were examined as to their
qualifications for jury service. They were
| adludged to be fully qualified except in one
particular, the matter OF their belief con-
corning polygamy. They agreed that
polygamy is legally wrong, and that it is
an offense both against church doctrine
and the laws of the land. But they fur
Their held that previous to the action of the
church in abolishing the practice of polyg-
amy: that is, while the doctrine of plural
marriage was still taught or permitted by
the church, that it would not have been
morally wrong Though still legally wrong
and hence punishableJ if church mem
Der had lived at that time in that relation.
For this they were excused from Jury
service, on the ground that. they might
have to try some case in which the offense
was committed prior to the action of the
church against polygamy, and might not
prove impartial in such case.
So much for the facts. We shall not
argue the question whether a mans belief
of what would be morally right or wrong
if circumstances were different, should dis
stances as they are. But the fact that Ger
tain Mormons testified that polygamy is
morally wrong only because it is now in
conflict with the creed of their church. is
made the occasion for demanding the dis
franchisement of all the Mormons. Yes
terday's issue OF the anti Mormon organ of
this city said of the facts referred to above
| There were some Mormons before the district
court on Monday who would not commit per
jury to save their church from going to the
dogs. We think it is an indirect vindication oil
what we have repeatedly said that Mormons il
good standing are not entitled to sit upon {
jury, not entitled to cast ballot, not entitled
to hold any political office under any kingdom
or government except their own.
The logic of the above seems to be tha
men who will not commit perjury are un-
fit for citizenship; but in another sentence
it is alleged that there are Mormons whC
will commit perjury" the proof of this be
ing, of course, that the Tribune says the,
will.
But are willing to meet the disfran-
chiser upon his best ground; that men wht
believe that under former circumstances
polygamy was not morally wrong for mem
bers of the Mormon church, should be dis
franchised, outlawed, denied the right O
Jury trial, prevented from acquiring O
holding land, and subjected to other disa
bilities.
The very man that writes this pueril
sophistry believes that the laws agains
silver are morally wrong; according to hi
own reasoning, he should be DISTINGUISHED
Every owner Of slaves believes tina
slavery was not morally wrong under tn
circumstances then existing; they shout
all be disfranchised according to our loya
patriot
Every printer that believes evasions O
copyright laws, under certain conditions
would not be morally wrong, should b
disfranchised, on the same theory.
Every Democrat that believes "protec
ton" to be morally wrong, ought, b,
parity of reasoning to be disfranchised like
wise.
If the Acknowledgement reasoning is no
good for these and thousands of othe
cases, then it is good for no case.
And in another part of the same issue
the Idaho legislature is importuned to dis
franchise every member of the Mormon
church because at some time or other the
or their descendants might teach O
practice plural marriage.
Let every American ponder the doctrin
that people may be punished either for be
lieving that at one time certain act wa
not morally wrong, and for the possibilit
that they or their descendants may beiev
in and practice some obnoxious doctrine