Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-01-13
The 6tvernor's Views.

EEtHttl - II u < ltp4s 10 1pA
have any O Jeo'ions TO expressing
Yourself as 70 the case OF Mr..
Roberts, Governor II GER
tainly do no, think the rights
of Mr.. Roberts as a citizen have
been grossly dlsregarded and
trampled upon think he should
have been seated without any
manner OF question. Such are
Governor S.euneuberg's vie rs as
specifically applied TO the Roberts
case, not a. TO whether or not
the Mormon church still sanctions
polygamy, not in anywise as touch
ing on the integrity aud patriotism
of the Mormon people, but as to
the merits OF Mr.. Roberts claims
to seat in the United States Con
gress while standing before the
bar OF the House Of Representatives
under a charge which he admits to
be true by refusing to deny.
1t is Gear then that the governor
does not regard polygamy as an
oifense against the social institu-
tions Of this country; and, there
fore. he must regard any law in
restriction OF that practice as un.
just and Immoral He says, II
think that the rights of Mr. Rob
erts as citizen have been grossly
disregarded and trampled upon.
What are the rights especially
claimed by Mr.. Roberts, Speci-
ically. the right to have any
number OF wives without inter
ference; the right TO keep harem
in Utah aud a; the same time oc.
cmpy a seat in Cougress-the right
10 be superio: TO the laws aud
institutions OF the United States.
The governor best friends will
no doubt contend that he is merely
making a little play for Mormon
political support, and that such a
thing is legitimate. We are loa,h
TO charge open deception. If the
governor were pay ing politics
with the Mormons, he would
probably have expressed himself
that way secretly and kept mum
publicly. He would thereby have
been able 10 cater to radical element
OF the Mormon church, and TO the
anti Mormon element Of all other
churches. Such has been the uni.
form character of his past duplicity.
The governor, no doubt, sin.
cerely believes that the practice of
polygamy, and necessarily poly
andry, is among the tights of citi.
zcnship guaranteed by the Federal
Constitution he believes that to
interfere with such practices is to
grossly disregard aud trample upon
the rights of American citizenship
and the domain of sacred personal
privileges. We believe his Excel.
lency is thoroughly honest and sim
cere in this matter, and we com
mend him for candor and direct
ness. When one has positive con.
victions on subject, it is manly
and becoming in him to give forci.
bic and public expression to his
faith. We regretthat he has not
taken occasion to publish the argu
ment upon which is based his con-
viciions. II would be interesting
to know whether he depends on
divine or secular authority
whether Re derives inspiration from
the Old Testament, the Doctrines
and Covenants, tue Constitution of
the United States, or from philo.
sophical Investigations touching
the Fundamental rights Of man.
The governors frankness on this
subject will naturally have-a tend
ency TO elevate him in the public
esteem. 1t indicates that She is a
man OF clear convictions and has
the courage 20 assert them. IL
shows that be will not permit him
self to be influenced by popular
prejudices or political expediency |
He believes that the practice oil
poly gamy is an inalienabie right,
aud that its devotees should not be |
subjected to amy manner of ques-
ton. y He believes that, aud cour-
proclaims it. We admire
bis manliness il we cannot respect
bis faith We are convinced that !,
II elected TO the United States Sen.
ate next winter, he would stand up
n the midi of that august body
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