The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-16

ers as the result of ignorance as much
as prejudice.
The day is past for Congressional
rancor against Utah. Members of Con-
gress, have become informed as to the
facts. Many of them have visited
Utah and learned the situation for
themselves. They have enlightened
others who have not travelled SO far.
They understand that even as to the
past there we're most absurd exaggera-
tons. and that as to the present con-
ditions have radically changed. 1t was
very gratifying to note that after the
splendid reply of Delegate Rawlins the
anti Mormon style of opposition did
not make a re-appsarance.
But it seems that this kind of war
fare is not to be abandoned. The La
dies Home Missionary society wants
to be heard before the Senate Com
mittee on Territories. A male person
named McAfee also claims to have
some bIood-curdling stories to tell as
to the prevalence of polygamy in Utah,
and it is evident that an alleged ''re-
ligious' crusade against statehood is
to be opened. The plea is that poly
gamy still prevails in the country
places of Utah and therefore, if state
hood is given it is to be inferred that
the Mormons viii revive the system.
For that reason, it is urged, statehood
must not be permitted.
We are of the opinion that the mere
statements, either of the unknown MI.
McAfee who claims to be largely en-
gagged in missionary work in Utah,
Colorado and New Mexico, or Of the
ladies who also profess to know of the
carrying on of the old custom with
out abatement" viii not have great
deal of weight except with a very few
senator's. 1t will doubtless appear to
the thinking men of the Upper House
that if what those jealous persons say
is true, the courts here would have
had something to say and do about
the matter. 1t ought not to take long
for gentlemen who are we'll informed
to put to fight the airy bits of Cos
sip that those missionary people have
to present as though they were rea1i-
ties instead of rumors.
It appears to US that now would
be good time for some of those cleri-
cal gentlemen who know of the feel
ings of amity that prevail here at pres
ent. and of the actual cessation of poly
gamous marriages in Utah, to use
their influence in the cause OF truth
and true religion, by making a candid
statement to offset the tales to be told
by the parties referred to in Washing
ton Geographic dispatches. Most of
them know that there is no disposition
in country places, nor yet in the
city, to modest either male or female
missionaries. And they also have
good reasons to know that while it may
be true that care is bestowed by some
former polygamists upon the families
which they are in honor and duty
bound to support, the plural marriage
system has been absolutely stopped.
The leaders in religious thought are
as much interested in the settlement
of Utah affairs as anyone. And THEY
should also be interested in. the up
holding of the truth as against false
hood or misunderstanding and preju-
dice. And it will rebound to their
credit and be no injury to their cause
in THE future, if they should waive
their UNCONVENTIONAL opposition to the
views of the majority here, in a de-
sire to do the people and the territory
justice.
To people who know of thia actual
situation here the assertions said to be
made by the missionary people in
Washington may appear merely some
thing to laugh at But just such things
have done a great deal of damage be-
fore now and they may require some
thing more than ridicule to meet and
dissipate them.
However, WE do not look upon the
opposition as anything formidable. but
a very small obstacle sometimes causes
great delay. This one should be re-
moved promptly and those who can
help in the work should act without
delay.