Evening star., 1899-03-01
not even their own lives, as standing In the


dured arrest, trial. fine and Imprisonment,
and the immeasurable suffering borne by
the faithful people no language can de-
scribe That suffering in abated form still
continues. More. the government added
o1senfranchisement to its other punish
ments for those who clung to their faith
and fulfilled its covenants.
According to our creed, the head of our
church receives from time to time revela-
tions for the religious guidance of his peo-
pie. In September, $780, the present head
OF the church In anguish and prayer cried
TO God for help for his flock, and received
permission to advise the members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
that tne law commanding polygamy was
hencetorth suspended. At the great semi
annual conference which was held a few
days later, this was submitted to the peo-
ple-numbering many thousands and repre-
senting every community of the people in
manner accepted as the future rule of their
lives. They have since been faithful to
the covenant made that day.
AT the late October conference after a
year had passed by, the matter was once
more submitted to the thousands of people
gathered together, and they again in the
most potential manner ratified the solemn
covenant. This being the true situation
and believing that the object of the gov
ernment was simply the vindication of its
own authority and to compel obedience to
ITS laws, and that it takes no pleasure in
persecution. we respectfully pray that full
hHiiSSty may De extended TO all VINO are
under disabilities because of the operation
of the so-called Edmunds-Tucker law. Our
people are scattered; homes are made desc
late; many are still imprisoned; others are
banished or in hiding. Our hearts bleed for
these. In the past they followed our coun-
sells, and while they are thus afflicted our
souls are in sackcloth and ashes.
we believe that there is nowhere in the
Shtoh more loyal people that the Latter
day Saints They know no other country
except this; they expect to live and die on
this soil. When the men of the south who
were in rebellion against the government
IN 1870, threw down their arms and asked
for recognition along the old lines of citi-
zenship the government FASTENED to grant
their prayer. To be at peace with the gov
ernment and in harmony with their fellow
citizens who are not of their faith, and to
share in the confidence of the government
and people, our people have voluntarily
put aside something which all their lives
they have believed to be a sacred principle
Have they not the right to ask for such
clemency as comes when the claims of both
law and justice have been fully liquidated? :?
AS shepherds of a patient and suffering
people, we ask amnesty for them and
pledge our faith and honor for their fu-
ture.
Amnesty Proclamation.
January I, 1892. an amnesty proclamation
was issued by President Benjamin Harri-
son. in which he granted amnesty to all
polygamists who had abstained from un-
lawful cohabitation since November /, 1890,
provided they would faithfully obey the
laws in the future
This proclamation recited the passage bv
Congress of statutes providing penalties for
the crimes of bfgamy. pOlygamy and unlaw-
fui cohabtation in the territories; the issu-
ance in 1870 of the manifesto of the Mormon
Church, through it's president. proclaiming
the purpose of the church mo longer to
sanction the practice of polygamous mar
riages, and calling upon all members and
adherents of said church to obey the laws
OF the United States, in reference to said
subject matter" the representations that
since that time the members of the church
had obeyed the laws and the officials of
the church, by a petition dated December
10. 1891, had applied for amnesty for past
offenSes; that during the past two wears
such amnesty had been granted a large
number of individual applicants "condi-
toned upon the faithful observance of the
laws of the United States against unlawful
cohabitation:" therefore, the proclamation
says, Il do hereby declare and grant full
amnesty and pardon to all persons liable to
the penalties of said act. by reason of un-
lawful cohabtation under the color of
polygamOuS or plural marriage who since
November l, 1850, have abstained from such
unlawful cohabitation. but upon the ex-
press condition that they shall in future
faithfully obey the laws of the United
States, hereinbefore named and not other
selves of the clemency hereby offered will
be vigorously prosecuted
September "a, 1894, a further amnesty
proclamation was issued by President
Grover Cleveland, removing the disqualified
ton Of those who had been convicted of
polygamy or unlawful cohabitation excent-
ing such persons as had not complied with
the conditions of the proclamation Of Presi-
dent Harrison. President Clevelands
proclamation recited the laws passed nv
Congress, the promises of the Mormon
Church, the proclamation of President Har-
rison and his belief from the evidence fur
nlshed that ''the members and adherents of
said church generally abstain from plural
marriages and polygamous cohabitation and
are now living in obedience to the laws"
therefore says the proclamation:
Il do hereby declare and grant a full
amnesty and pardon to all persons who
nave, IN violation of said acts committed
either of the ofenses of polygamy adultery
or unlawful cOhabitation, under the color
OF poIygamOus or plural marriage or who
haVlnS been convicted of violation of said
act. are now suffering deprivation of civil
rights IN consequence of the same, except
ing persons as have not complied with the
conditions contained in SAID executive
proclamation of January 1, 1893"
The Pledges Accepted.
In view of the manifesto which. as in
terpreted by the Mormon presidency and
apostles under cath. included the severance
OF o!d polygamous relaticns, as well as the
prohibition of new polygamcus marriages,
and in view Of the solemn pledges of the
same leaders in their petition for amnesty.
in which they pledged their faith and
honcr for the future compliance of their
people with the requirements of the, gov
eminent. thu anti-Mormon party in Utah
was dlsorgantZed. and the political leaders
among the cn-MoTnons having accented
the Mormon pledges as having been made
In good faith, Joined with the Mormons in
asking Congress to give statehood to Etal
Hence. bill was finally passed by Con-
gresS July 16. 1894, enabling Utah to form
a state government on condition: That per
feet tolerance of religious sentiment shall
be secured provided that Dolye-
anous or plural marriages, are forever pro
hibit ed
In compliance with this requirement the
constitutional convention of Utah incor-
porated into the constitution this provision:
The following ordinance shall be irrevoc-
aole without the consent of the United
States and the people of this state:
FlrSt-Perfsct liberation of religious SEN
ument IS guaranteed. No inhabitant of
this state shall ever be moiested in person
or property on account of his or her mode
OF religious worship; but polygamous or
plural marriages are forever prohibited"
Penalties Provided.