Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-09-24


ideas and teachings In any u the
Territories Of the United states. These
bills were considered respectively by
the committees on Territories OF both
houses, aud each repoiteu on iavorably,
aud their passage recommended.
Shortly niter these reports were
made, and when the passage Of such
measure wac reduced ain 4 to an ab.
solute certainty, tho divine impulso
began to stir the heart Of the First
Presidency OF the Church, with the
result that "inspifa,lon" brou ght forth
the celebrated
MANIFESTO
Of September, 1880, wherein this Com.
mifsiDn was made the scapegost for tho
denuuciatiOn OF the Church hierarchy,
the better 10 conceal their bitterness
TOW ards the government.
That agency OF the government
which had been must active, persistent
and Instrumental ia exposing the In.
iquitiea OF its practices, and invoking
tins powers Of the government fof their
suppression, WAS selected as the butt
Tor the concentrated wrath Of the
Church, rather than the government
which had created the agency.
Delegate Caine said In Congress that
ga great deal OF credit had been claimed
for the Utah Commission for the won.
dcrful service II had rendered the coun.
try by the suppression OF polygsmy In
Utah. Let me ask what these com
nlisslonere have done In tina, Iegard2
fail to See wherein the
Commission eau claim any credit for
the suppression of poiygnmy."
Perhaps others can read history 10
better advantage than he. For thirty
i've years polygamy flourished In
Utah, and for twenty years OF that
time In defiance OF the penal laws OF
the land.
THE COMMISSION
was organized, and In eight years time
the steady and inlexlble enforcement
OF the laws, aided, perhaps, by fear Of
further Acknowledgement, compelled
the authorities Of this Church 10 aban.
don their cherished doctrine and openly
declare their willingness TO obey the
laws, and the Utah Commission was
the only agency referred TO ~ the
reason for issuing the "insplred"
manifesto.
Where, before, In the history OF the
world has been recorded any instance
Of powerful church with numerous
and devoted followers, giving up an
article Of faith In their creed, given TO
them, as they aver, aud many doubt.
lees believe, by O direct revelation and
as command OF God, upon tue advice
simply Of the head OF the church, with
perfect unanimity and without even q
manifestation OF discomfort?
Such Ia the marvellous condition Of
this important change. IL IL said by
the Church organ that the manifesto
when read TO the conference was
adopted oy one unanimous uplifting OF
hands In the Tabernacle. SO far rs can
be seen by those living among these
people the only visible manifestation
Of discomfort or OF belief or unbelief In
the Divine inspiration OF the mani
feslo, Is seen In the continuation u
the practice by members OF the Church
In defiance OF law and ofthe manifesto,
Us shsvn by the frecusnt arrests, In.
dictmohis md convictions for poly
gamous offences.
1t would seem 10 clearly demonstrate
that the charge made against the
Church, TINT II seeks and exercises
temporal ss well rs spiritual power and
through
CHURCH IsFLUENoEs,
dominates its members and willingly
or unwillingly compels compliance
with the will OF those who govern the
is well grounded.
That the Church has taken this step
only few months since, while still
the doctrine "Dlvine com.
mhnd," would seem TO be no reason
why the government should at once
withdraw all the safeguards II has
and surround these people
with, or deliver over TO them the sole
anu complete POLITICAL power OF the
Territory. "rimo proves all things."
II should not bt forgotten that ut ono
timo the military power OF the Nation,
and for thirty years the most restrict
I've legislation and Its vigorous on.
fOEcement has been required TO bring
about this very condition they claim
now 20 exist. Every step has been
gained over nn intense and united op.
position led by those same men who
are so free to denounce Others, and
80 loud In their self praise.
There seems 10 be Misrepresentation
In some quarters rs to the
FUNCTIONS OF fiIE COMMISSION,
and even CoDgr, ssmen appear to think
IL IL charged with the. enforcement OF
penal laws against polygamy, aud Il
was lately said on the floor OF the
House that no convictions had result
I'd from its work.
This Commission is not court TO
prosecute cases OF polygamy. IL can
not compel witnesses, and might fail
10 establish the absolute verify OF
any case. Its functions are confined
to the ELECTORAL provisions Of the
law.
That II has reports which indicate
That polygamy is not wholly abandoned
Is the truth. Is 1t TO be wondered
At that people which has
been taught for many years that
IL Divine principle,
that the principle IL still divine, ana
suspended by an advisory proc |
amation, should have some members |
" no will prefer the "dlvine COM
mand," which Is Ia accord with their |
Iustful proclivities, rather than comply |
with the Advice which would cut of |
The source OF their highest felicity, not |
only in this life, but In the Kingdom
their faith teaches them awaits the |
ievotee who lives up to the "divine |
command" which enIoins the practice
of polygamy?
IN II at ali a matter Of surprise that,
In Territory VI many thousands OF |
square miles, whose settlements are In
valleys isolated from each other, and |
many OF which are Inhabited wholly |
by Aiormons, who, whether polygam-
sls or not, are all firm believers In this