The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-09-28
FuLL AND COMPLETE AMNESTY.

| Governor West has performed a self
Imposed task which does him credit
land which will bring him honor and
renown. Realizing the impotency of
the Harrison sham called an amnesty,
he studied out plan to obtain some
thing substantial and complete, which
would cover the ground left exposed
by the pretended pardon of January
a. 1893, and open the way for a large
number of citizens, otherwise debarred
from the franchise, to register and vote
at the next election. Obtaining the
support and endorsement of the Secre-
tary and the Judges, he left quietly for
Washington. after obtaining the proper
leave Of absence, interviewed Secretary
Carlisle and other prominent members
of the Administration, and with their
help was able ito lay the matter before
the President in such a manner as to
meet with his cordial appreciation. The
and succeeded in accomplishing the
object of his visit, President Cleve-
land has granted cull ami complete
amnesty to Mormons who nave
been under disabilities for Nio-
lations of the acts of 1862, 1882 and
1887 in reference TO polygamous prac-
tees. OF course he could not annul
or repeal q, law, but he has exercised
to the fullest lawful extent the powers
of amnesty and pardon vested in him
by the Edmunds act of 1882.
Observe the difference in the long
detained amnesty with a string to it,
issued by President Harrison after the
urgent and humble appeal by the Pres
idency and Apostles of the Mormon
church, and the immediate act OF Presi-
dent Cleveland on the request of the
Governor of Utah. This was Harri-
sons small and niggardly response:
Now. therefore, I Benjamin Harri-
son, President of the United States, by
hereby declare and grant full amnesty
and pardon to all persons liable to the
penalties of said act by reason of un-
lawful cohabitation, under the color of
polygamouS or plural marriage, who,
since November 1, 1880. abstained from
such cohabitation; but upon the ex-
press condition that they shall in the
future faithfully obey the laws of the
United States hereinbefore named, and
not al
avail themselves of the clemency here
e eg 0nefeo Will De vigorously prosecut-
Following is President Cleveland's |
and broad measure of re-
lief covering all that could be con-
doned:
Now therefore. I, Grover Cleveland, |
President of the United States, by vir- |
tue of the power in me vested, do
hereby declare and grant, a full am
nesty and pardon to all persons who |
have, in violation Of said acts [anti- |
polygamy laws of 1852, 1882, 1871 com
mitted either of the offenses of polyg- |
amy, higamy, adultery, or unlawful |
under the color of polyga-
nous or plural marriage, or who hav-
ing been convicted of the violation of
said acts, are now suffering deprivation
If civil rights in consequence of the
same, excepting all persons who have
not complied with the condition con-
tanned In said executive proclamation
Of January 4. 1881
On receiving word of this executive
action, the Utah Commission expunged
from the registration oath everything
that would hinder persons who had
formerly abstained from taking it be-
Of conscientious scruples. The
oath now stands the same to all citi-
ems Of the territory, irrespective of
,ornner conditions and whether they
nave been convicted or not of the Of
lenses named in the amnesty. Persons
Who have been guilty of violating tho
avs since the date CT Harrisons am
lesty are the only exceptions. Every
awful facility will be afforded to all !
,itizens to register.
tOr InlS great DOcl the PSopiC nave
occasion to feel grateful to President
Grover Cleveland and Governor Caleb
". West, with all those broad-minded
gentlemen in office who have aided in
obtaining this complete amnesty. It le
hows how the Administration feels
owards the people of Utah and the
confidence reposed in their sincerity
md integrity. 1t is magnificent
lift, and forms a fitting crown on the
lead of the great body of benefits be-
towed on this territory during the {
hort time in which the Democratic
,arty has been in national power.