The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-07-21

Brigham yonng on Question Raised by
Caunon's Arrest

CHIcAGo, ILL.,. July ll-"rhe
members of the mormon church
who have contracted polygamous
marriages DO not shrink from the
issue involved in the case recently
begun against Angus Nj. Cannon.
The present j. probably as good a
time a. any for determining wheth-
er we are to live undisturbed tha
lives which the most solemn obliga-
tions have imposed upon Us, or
whether We are to suffer the palns
and prosecutions of those who have
the courage of their faith.
Those were the words of Apostle
Brigham Young, of salt Lake City,
the eldest son of the former head OF
the mormon church, at the Grand
Pacific hotel to-day. Mr.. loung's
present eastern trip, which will be
followed by one 10 Mexico, is in the
interest Of the church, of which he
j. prominent member, and which
ne declared l. in the most prosper
Gus condition.
In connection with free discus
sion Of the several phrases OF the
mormon question which have come
into prominence recently be also
said the church expected, within a
comparatively few years, to begin
the erection of magnificent city OF
the faith at Independence, Mo,
which would be it, headquarters.
III was our former home, y he
laid, ''from which we were driven
0y unreasoning and bitter grej ldice,
and it mas ever been our wish -
redeem the waste places Of Zion.
We desire to build there the most
oeaut.fu! city in the world. We
VII construct a agniiicent taber-
nacle. much finer in every respect
than the one we nave al salt Lake
City, and in other respects make
our old, and yet, new home OF the
church most beautiful place
We have a part of the necessary
land already, and are going To have
no difficulty in securing all that we
need.
Reverting to the contemplated
proceedings against Congressman
elect Roberts hs said: Il have
little doubt he will also be proceed
I'd against, and, a. in the cas-" Of
Mr.. Cannon, we have no disposition
60 avoid the issue. We might a.
we'll determine now a any time
where we stand, and if we have got
TO 60 to prison, 80 let il be- We
can be imprisoned, but nc power
short If death can force me or 9TH
ers in the sane situation to break
the most solemn covenant that man
can make. y
II for instance, covehanted to be
faithful husband to my wives and
true father to my children. Would
| not be false to every obligation OF
honor and true morality To now
cast them off? have had more than
one member Of congress feline that
If broke the covenant thus made,
and cas-. OF those child.en and
wives who gave me all they had in
the world, | would be nothing less
than a scoundrel.
We all ieel that we cannot break
these Obligations, come what may,
aud certainly shall be true TO my
covenants, | consider them more
sacred and binding than any law
that can be passed.
"Will polygamy continue to ex
ist?"
Not uni IS our people continue
to be pursued with bitter persecu
ton. Ii left alone it will die a nat
ural death, with the passing away
III the older members OF the church
None Of the young members of the
church are polygamists. 1t, how
ever, we are prosecuted, il is posi-
ole that polygamy may survive. !
DO not say this is probable, but it i
human nature to cling to the things
for which people are punish d, when
they regard them a. right
Mr.. Young's talk has special sig
niicance in view OF the fact that he
i the first mormon Of prominence
who has onsented to be interview
I'd slice the arrest Of Angus NJ
Cannon
Attention 49ih Indiana Volunteers.