New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-15
THE UTAH QUESTION.
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE STATES AID
MISSION MAKE THE DISCUSSION OF

MlSSION MAKE THE DISCUSSION OF
'PRECEDENTs" UNNECESSARY.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Precedents have great power except when
they conflict with moral obligation. But the
men who governed by conscientious convic
lions are apt TO find distinct satisfaction in the
thought that II Is the first time particular duty
has been perceived and performed. Though no
State has ever been deprived OF Statehood. that
consideration will scarcely weigh at all with
those who believe that the liberation OF polyg
amy in Utah not only violates compact upon
which its admission based but involves
such offence against morals that the COM
munity cannot be held At for Statehood II
investigation sustains this claim II is safe to say
that no one so believing will vote against the
exclusion OF Utah merely because no such step
has ever been taken before. There are legal
difficulties OF different nature which Congress
will have to consider. The evidence that the
State Systematically disregards the condition
to which It gave assent before admission may be
found less conclusive than It is generally be-
lieved 70 be But II the proof is complete the
lack OF precedent will certainly not prevent
the exclusion OF Utah.
Objection will he raised at once on the ground
that door may be opened for the extinction OF
States on other pietexts and for purely partisan
ends. But this has little weight. because in the
case OF Utah distinct condition was prescribed
by the United States. was professedly accepted
by Utah. and according to current accounts has
since been openly and Systematically disre-
garded OF course II this he true. 1t makes not
the slightest difference whether any person who
was violating law has been appointed an official
by the United States Government No prece-
dent can be made nor excuse given for future
exclusion Of any State not admitted with an
express condition. The broad question whether
a State which does not maintain republican
form OF government should remain member OF
the Union will always have 70 be met ana an
swered by itself whether Utah stays or goes
Having in view only the highest good ana
honor OF the United States IL must be admitted
that every State loses something OF dignity ana
standing If compelled to recognize on equAl
terms another which fagrantly disregards moral
or constitutional obligations. The cause OF self
government distinctly loses ground II II appears
that there is absolutely no remedy when the
Union has once admitted a State palpably UNIT
for participation in the government without
attempting 10 define here all the offences Whlch
might deprive a State OF its place in the Union
II may be agreed that the Nation would lose
something of its honor and its hold upon the
confidence Of mankind II II were settled that no
offence whatever could work such forfeiture
one at least open treason against the Govern
ment. will by all be held sufficient ground for
extinction Of a State organization so offending
and II so the question whether a loyal govern
ment can ever be restored must depend upon
contingencies which cannot be certainly fore
seen But short of armed rebellion there are
obviously other offences which 1t would De IN
the last degree dishonoring for the Union 10
condone or ignore.
The case OF Utah is simplihed greatly oy the
conditions which governed its admission. Upon
that case Congress can act without disregarolns
anv precedent and without raising any WITH
ont regard TO political preferences most civilized
persons will probably agree that the presence OF
sucb state in the governing body OF the United
States does not reflect credit upon the Nation
What the world has known Of polygamy through
experience in Utah has certainly not tended 10
soften the condemnation with which that OF
fence has been regarded. II the election OF Mr..
Roberts was not deliberately intended to empha~
size the fact that the state Is not In good faitn
abiding by the compact which secured It's ad-
mission. the situation has been strangely mis-
renr.sented. But II the House finds the facts as
they have been commonly reported, II Will not
easily imagine that the simple rejection or MT
Roberts is the only step which justice ana SELF
respect require the Nation TO take e. NJ W.
New-York, Dec. u 1899.