The San Francisco call., 1899-12-08

repealable without the consent Of the United
States and the consent OF the people OF Utah.
-. Even continuing the relations formed before
this settlement OF. the question. though their
disruption was neither demanded by the en-
ablng act. nor contemplated in the provisions
OF the State constitution. are under the law a
misdemeanor and punishable: but II has not
been regarded as necessary. as TO morals or
public policy; 70 prosecute people for this OF
by demands has the existence OF such relations
been considered bar 10 political preferment
until the political and religious enemies or the
present Representative from Utah thought
proper 10 urge them against him. But such
men have been elected TO offices OF high honor
in the State OF Utah. and others against whom
such charges were made by affidavit were ap-
pointed TO Federal offices In the State. not
withstanding such objections were urged
submit 10 you the question whether It is
worth while for your Representatives In inc
lower House OF Congress 20 break down the
safeguards which protect both the rights Of In
dividuals and the rights Of the States. wmch
course menaces representative government In
the State itself / ask II IL is worth while 20
countenance procedure involving dangers herein
with misdemeanor under the laws OF his own
State and which Is In the eye Of the law an
offense 30 slight that under rights guaranteed
TO him and his constituents he could not be ar
rested for II while in attendance upon his du-
ties in Congress.
American citizens. II is a Mormon who Is
the object of the popular clamor to-day: may Il
not be the Catholic or the Methodist or the
freethlnker tomorrow? II the rights OF the
cannot be safeguarded by the provisions Of the
constitution and the laws from the frenzy Of
popular fury, set on fire by falsehood and dis
tortlon. what guarantee have we that any one >
rights are secure? And is II true that this mob
law by indirection Is to reach within what
should be the sacred precincts OF the House Of
Representatives itself? shall do all / can to
maintain my rights, and indirectly. yours too.
under the constitution. ] stand alone save for
the very few who gave me their very guarded
support by voting against the monstrous pro-
ceedlrg that prevents me from taking the oath
OF office. j am without a dollar at my COM
mand except the salary attached TO my office,
with which TO fight the battle now pending be-
fore the special committee. ! am without legal
counsel except for the kindly suggestions OF
here and there a word from a lawyer acquaInt-
ance or friend, and. indeed. l prefer Il 20 be
so now, for my Is so firmly rooted In tust-
Ice that II needs but plain statement OF the
facts and fair application OF the law 10 them
in order TO make my right TO my seat apparent.
And want the condition here mentioned 10
stand as refutation Of the sensational charges
that have been made about the Mormon church
standing behind me. with any amount OF money
Tor legal counsel. and the maintenance OF a
lobby In washington But IL is with those in
the present state OF public sentiment that So
phistry and special pleading adroitly put NAV
De accepted for the law. and many OF your
representatives. influenced by the fear they
| have or your dlsapproval OF your acts ma
| rights In the case
l know not whether in this fight shall v,,r
| or lose. whether Justice shall triurnDb o. ,,ai
zee Dear down Justice; bur I shall have mi.
M MsaIIsiAcuon X l fail: that when future m.
kIo" OUT OF this high handed measure now -
ihs enacted did what could 10 prevent them
| H. II. ROBERTS.