The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-26
EDNUNDS Ian Null
And PoIygamy Only an Incl
dental Evil of MormoniSm.
CONTROL OF A CON TIN ENT
Is the Daring Ambition of the
Arrogant Sect.
CONTROL OF A CON TIN ENT
Chicago. April 24-The Tribune says:


says:
Il think it of the highest Importance
to the public interest, Of morality and
good government, that the attempted re-
vlvaI of recognition of polygamy in Utah
and elsewhere should be- opposed by, every
lawful means.
"Mormonism is a religion that threatens
the honor and the social and moral peace
Of the country. It operates against the
best interests and is in antagonism TO the
time-honored traditions and standards Of
the nation. Mormonisrn, I believe, cry
bodies degradation and Generalization IN
its undeniable leaning,s towards poly
gamy.
1.-THE Edwards law. which I fathered,
has been absolutely superseded by the ad-
mission of Utah as a state. 1t now has
no more effect in Utah than in Vermont"
Men who have studied the Mormon ques-
ton see a great danger to republican in
stitutioEs . the enormous and constantly
exerted authority of the Mormon preist-
hood, which extends over all temporal
matters as well as spiritual
1.-The safety of our institutions" writes
the Rev. DR.. Josiah Strong of New York,
demands intelligent, conscientious, and
independent voters who are open 20 rea-
son and can neither be intimidated nor
bribed. A hierarchy which controls the
consciences of voters and enforces its or
ders by threats of eternal damnation and
promises of substantial rewards both on
earth and in heaven is as dangerous as it
&c Aud h.nr cr1Ph
ecclesiastical power is grasped by one man.
as in the case of the head of the Mormon
Church, it makes him the most gigantic
boss" in America.
''Thus the fundamental doctrine Of the
Mormon Church brings it into necessary
conflict with republican institutions, de-
stroys liberty, and reduces its victims to
a double sIavery-religiooIs and political"
"W possess the ability" said the Nor
mon Bishop Lunt, ct turn the plitical
scale in any particular community we de-
sire. Our peple are bedient. When they
are called by the church they promptly
obey. They sell their houses, lands. and
stock and remove to any part Of the coun-
try the church may direct them to-"
with those who are opposed to church
domination in civil affairs" says the Rev.
r. G. McNiece. D. D., Of Utah. "the
church deals with an iron hand. Apostle
Moses Hatcher with all his wealth and in
fluence was obliged to give UP his Doliti-
cal independence and succumb to the dom
ination of the hierarchy.
'AIormonism never had so much politi-
cal power as 1t has today. 1t virtually
cntrls Utah, Idah, Wyming, and Arizna,
and in close election would hold the bal
ance of power in other states, thereby Sc
curing in Congress quite a groupe Of men
naturally ready to oppose any legislation
which the Mormons might not like"
On the subject OF divine authority of
its priesthood over Ats people in political
and civil as well as spiritual matters the
teaching Of the Mormon Church and the
statements of its apostles are plain and
concise:
I. MEN who hold the priesthood possess
divine authority thus to act for God; and
by possessing part Of Gods power they
are in reality part Of God" Men
who honor the priesthood in them honor
God; and those who reject God."-New
Witness Of God, D. 1S7.
> "He that rejects it will be damned
-Pratt's Works, Paper /.
8. when he (Joseph Smith spoke, he
spoke by the power of an endless priest
hood which was upon him; and that is
the power by which Brigham speaks.
"When a man of God speaks let him
speak what he pleases. and let all Isarel
say, amen. journal of Discusses, Vol
/, n. SlS, President Jedediah NJ Grant
speaker.
President George @. Cannon, in the Tab
ernacle Salt Lake City, April 5, 1897. al
luding to the Hatcher episode" and to
doubts regarding the priesthood said:
4 Il wuld just as soon think of heaven
entering into the chaos and of the throne
of God being shaken to its foundations
as to think that the priesthood of he Son
of God had gone wrong in its authority
or that the Lord would permit such a
thing"
In sermon delivered by President Cow
ans and reported in the Logan Journal
May 25, 1S9S. he said:
Their priesthood gives them the right
to advise and instruct the saints and their
juridfctiin extend over all things, spiritual
and temporal"
Because Of the obedience Of its mem
bers." writes the Rev. DIT. Strong. 1.-The
power Of the Mormon Church is entirely
disproportionate to its numbers.
An order IS issued by the authorities
that a certain ditrict shah furnish 60
many numbered emigrants for a given state
or territory. The families are drafted.
60 many CHROME ward. and each ward Or
district equ;ps its own quota with wagons.
~.
the Ike.
Communities are selected where the
TWO great political parties AZ Of nearly
equal strnsth and just enough Mormon
families are planted there n hid the bal
ance Of power Thus the Mormon author
t,ies can mass their voters here or there
wi,h almost rs much ease as = general
moves his troops.
'Araedy it has built up an ecclesiasti-
cal despotsn and practical Union OF
today would live 20 see every state west
if the Mississippi under Mormon control
The election % Brigham 4. Roberts to
Congress and The defeat OF George @
Cannon for United States Senator marked
the elimination Of a struggle for supre-
macy within The Mormon Church which
resulted in victory for the plyganous
and law-defying element.
Tn Cannon family. for vars ali-2ower-
/ fal in she councs OF the church. has
gone down. apparently in final defeat. ana
/ Apostle Heber J. Grant comes tareward
as the first counselor OF the PRESIDENCY
Il was George .. Cannon Viii as The
( counce.or Of Pres.den, W8so-d Wao5-rT
Z OF me Mormon church. finally secured f5~