Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-12-14
vAED1vER,s POINTED LETTER
Thinks Certain Opponents of Robots
Are Inconsistent.

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-Congress-
man Yandiver to-day wrote the fol-
loving letter, which, it is believed,
expresses very well the sentiments
of many other Congressman, regard
less of party:
WASHINGTON, Dec. s.--The Rsver-
end Doctor ". B. Palmore, editor
Christidh Advocate, st. Louis, Mo-:
Dear Doctor Palmore-Yours of De-
cember first just received. / expect
to vote either against seating MIR.
Roberts, of Utah, or in favor Of ex-
peIling him after he is seated. My
preference is for the latter method,
because ! think 1t a less dangerous
precedent, and more in accordance
with the strict construction view of
the constitution. l believe that pelyg-
amy is a serious menace to good
government, as well as good morals.
Apparently the Mormon church has
defed the Constitution Of the State
OF Utah and disregarded the statutes
Of the United States for the purpose
of making this a test case to deter
mine whether polygamy shall here
after be sanctioned by law, and pro-
pagated under the guise of religion.
Ihave at no time been in doubt as
to what course ought to be pnrsued
by Congress, but ! have had and still
have serious doubts as 70 the legality
OF the particular method which the
Republican leaders have adopted to
unseat Mr.. Roberts. ] feel satisfied
that a two-thirds, or even q three
fourths majority would vote to expel
him, and, therefore, there is no me-
eessity for resorting TO the doubtful
method OF procedure which the Re-
pubIicanH have proposed. Bat / think
you may count certainly on his being
unseated, by one method or the
other.
Now, as / have expressed myself
frankly on this subject, ] wlsh to add
a word on q kindred topic. While
the clergy Of all denominations are
practically unanimous in opposition
TO seating a ~polygamist in Congress
from Utah, l am very much grieved
20 note that q number Of leading cler-
gymen OF the Methodist church and
other churches find no serious fault
with that policy Of territorial expan-
sion and commercial greed which
guarantees protection to both polyg-
amy and slavery among those peo-
pie whom we are about to undertake
the task of assisting; not only 50, but
these same clergymen, forgetting that
the religion Of Christ was one Of love
and tenderness, respecting the rights
OF the lowest, IS well as the highest,
are now shouting for missionary ex-
psnsiOn with the shot gun and Anglo
Saxon civilization by the sword. II
this is Christianity, l would rather be
q Mohammedsn than a Methodist.
Now, my good friend, please cali
upon these elergymen to quit dabbling
In politics as q side show and to pom
der over the Ten Commandments,
and the sermon on the Mount. "Thou
shalt not steai'' is just as weighty as
"Thou shalt not commit adultery,n
isThou shalt do no murder and"rhou
shalt not covet," are more explicit
reqairementstha anything said about
the number OF wives.
/ shall throw my influence against
poiygsmy, and ] ask you and your
fellow clergymen to throw your in
dnence with mine against murder,
theft and robbery, whether they are
committed by the individual or BY
the nation.
With crest rehpeet and high admi-
rssion, / am glad to subscribe myself,
yen friend, w. ID. YAEDIvER.