The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-10-17
POLYGAMY-sL SLAVERY.
Cincinnati Enquirer.)

NChhSihhteIh
The Christian women of the United
States are In arms against the admis-
sion Of the member elect from Utah, Mr..
Roberts, to seat in congress at the
session which begins on the first Mon
day in December next. The objection
urged is that he has q plurality of
wives; that he is guilty of polygamy.
Under the laws of the United States
polygamy cannot exist in any state or
territory.
The Sulu islands were a part of the
Philippine Archipelago which the armed
forces of the United States have partly
conquered. After driving Spain from
her East India possessions a treaty was
made in which the United States on a
cession to her of all the islands of the
archipelago, covenanted to pay to
Spain the immense sum of $2O, ,0O0, 900 for
a questionable title. The Sulu islands
are ruled by a satrap of Spain. He is
ing possession of the Sulu islands under
the treaty made with Spain, and which
were dearly paid for, general of our
army, by the direction of William Nc
ISinleys administration, proceeded to
recognize the authority Of the Sultan
and to negotiate with him to recognize
the authority of the United States, and
| thereby receive the protection Of our
Tha
negotiations. He placated the sultan by
agreeing that the United States should
| pay the sultan stipend of $4,000 per
year and that he should keep his
harem. The ruler owns forty wives,
besides a. score or more of concubines.
His polygamy is sanctioned by the
government of the United States More,
1t is protected by the flag Of the United
States. "Old Glory" floats over the
harem. Is that a prostitution of the
glorious emblem Of our country? If
the Sulu Islands belong to the United
States, is it lawful for any man, sultan
or slave, to live polygamous life? Why
this cry against the admission of
Roberts, and yet no fault found-not
even Christian criticism of the admins
tration of William Mckinley in not only
approving Of the practice of polygamy,
but protecting it? Is it not time that
people should recognize The beam that
afflicts the national eye?
Between the years 1861 and 1866 the
government of the United States with
grand, honest, faithful, courageous
Abraham Lincoln at it's head, gave
the lives of more than quarter Of a
million Of human beings and expended
81, 900 900, 900 to wipe out the institution
of slavery. Rich as was the libation,
immense as was the expense. the
people said amen. The destruction of
slavery was cheap. Slavery is recog-
nized institution in the Sulu Islands It
is protected by the arms of the United
States. In the agreement between the
American general and the reigning sui
tan, article 10, slaves are authorized to
purchase themselves at the ruling
market price. That is an exceedingly
kind provision. These slaves are dark
skinned people, not of the Caucasian
race. The blacks of the islands Of
Sulu are the slaves. Is God sleeping?
Is the poor black man to be returned
to his shackles? The present admins
tration approves his servitude in Suiu.
Why should 1t not approve his being a
slave anywhere? In slavery the holy
ties of wedlock are not recognized.
Polygamy is. Polygamy exists over the
entire Sulu group. Sultan and slave
practice it, Why are these horrible con-
ditions permitted in possessions of the
United States? Why get shocked at a
single instance in this country when
. thousands and tens of thousands are
practicing 1t in Sulu under the approval
and projections of the United States?