The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-31
MORMON LEADER PROTESTS
ANTI-RoBERTs CRUSADE UNJUST 81 rs
PRESIDENT SNOW.


-
He Declares That Plural Marriages Have
Ceased Forever In Utah, and That Rob.
erts Was Not Elected to Congress AS n
Mormon-Former PolyGRmous Unions.
SALT LAKE CRY. Dee. 3o.-Eorenzo Snow.
President and head of the Mormon Church. has
made the following statement regarding polyR-
amy and the attempt 10 prevent Representa-
tive-eleot Roberts Of Utah from taking his seat
in Congress;
I'm answer to inquiries. I declare most sol
EMMY and emphatically that the statements
which are being published TO the effect that
the Mormon Church Is encouraging and teach
inG polygamy are utterly untrue. Ever since
the issuance OF the manifesto on the subject. by
President MILFORD Woodruff. my predecessor
In Office. polyRamous or plural marriages have
entirely ceased In Utah. Since my accession to
the Presidency OF the Church of Jesus Christ
OF Latter Day Saints I have repeatedly as
serted my intention to stand by that mani
festo and my determination not to permit any
marriage to take place under the sanction Of
the Church which Is contrary to the law. and
/ now reafilrm that statement. Holding the
keys OF this authority in the Church over which
1 am called to preside. no such ceremony can
be performed and recognized without my con-
sent. l wish this to be clearly understood. l
make this declaration unequivocally and with
out any mental reservation.
"~Polygamous marriages In the Mormon
Church have entirely ceased. The implied
understanding with the nation whom Utah en-
tered the Union has been sacredly observed.
There Is no intention or disposition on the
part Of the Church to violate or depart from It
in the future. The enabling act required a
provision In the Constitution of the State OF
Utah that polygamous or plural marriages
should be forever prohibited. In accordance
with that provision the State Constitution con-
tains this clause:
Perfect federation Of religious sentiment 10
guaranteed. No inhabitant of this State shall
ever be molested in nerson or property on &C.
count OF his or her mode Of religious worship.
but polyRamous or plural marriages are for
ever prohibited
Laws have been framed in support of those
constitutional ,enactments. Heavy penalties
I T6usp i6s GSara ,Hr ab ID t Ses State 81 t aTs sg yiGlstl q.
tions, and there is absolutely no ground Tor
to inilame public opinion against the Latter
The election OF Mr.. Roberts to the Office of
Representative in Congress for Utah was EN-
tirely a secular affair; The CHURCH had moth
are are Entirely G' distinct nnd se Saq sea'e Nom N Man Man
Of his party: Non; Mormons also aided in his
party. voted for his opponent. He was not u a
Church candidate in any, sense of the word.
rs an American citizen by. American citizens.
and the question Of religion did not enter into the
nothing to do with the action OF Congress rela-
tive to his, seat, If. however. notice is to be
Mormon. tulminations from pulpit and press,
70 the effect that Mr.. Roberts has violated the
State Constitution and the requirement OF the
as n.' i Do most aSs: II po Us hreRer tRt m the to c6 sta1s;
which incidentally affects the Church Of
II Mr.. Roberts takes the scat to which he has
a% Gses e1se Si p 5t WA nSt in If "R by E shosla fff Ss n 5no
seated: the result as to polygamy would be
no different. P~olygamous marriages having
the Representative-clcct would have no bear
ing upon the matter one way. or the other. Tho
In Utah at present is this:
There have been no polygamous marriages
since lSN. There is no movement in, the
associates in the leadership Of the Church unite
another question ASSOCIATED Herewith. When
Utah, became a State. with the full understand
,nS that na66 PiSh,KfsSdm : 1sm marriages. nr nf @ss should 5 be Tor
wives who had been married to them nndsr
tonsent l" q ali ef 3be pa SST,s in s%tss into wh Sy
lies? Cast them of? Renudiate their Wives
their children? Make them a CON-
care OF them. provide for them. maintain their
Is 4 possible that the Christian ladies OF the
! Selss GAINS al ats1'f The M Es9PiS to ps sa!ss their DER
t their tH %iyes men and to c fHEh their w6 backs are upon . n
rue and devoted as any in tie land? Should
not the Christian people OF the United States
hose families. which are stilI in the relation
snip which ID so Objectionable to, people afar
off Can they not see that with the complete
OF plural marriages 1t Is only q ques-
OF a little time when the relations that
have grown out Of the system will pass away.
The excitement that has been GU caused dur
.ng the last. few weeks is without reason and.
appears to me. without excuse. might
it is Of the attention Of thinking, Just
humane ipdiyid uals. But I iorbear. The
will succeed the present eruption. and when
violent sensation has subsidized the intelii-
Eent. rational and tolerant public will perceive
'aith that the few among them who are in the
condition described are simply performing a
'aored duty and that the nation has been need
"Mormonism. contrary to the popular notion,
Ices not mean polygamy. This is q system OF
md Ruler OF the universe. and Jesus Christ OF
S Sind. saa a as.a ais s9 tba s4 I'd t hoI SaE H0}r, Of md man n
,btained and enjoyed by ali ilI psrs Sg,s'S w mhay w IL
'eceiye the Gospel and obey the Divine COM
hands. 1t recognizes the right Of all people TO
to the dictates of their own consciences
md claims only the same privilege for its adj !
@lerents. With y sincere desire fol. the welfare.
and redemption Of the whole
ToPEKH. Kan. Dec "sS6j.-Thneo House Of SN Repre-
PC that ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Roberts Of Utah
hould be barred from the National Congress
'eoause Of polygamy: The resolution will DE