Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-03-15
THE OPPOSITION.

The Evans bill from the first was OPP
posed by anti-Mormon agitators' II
was falsely called, THE Evans Poly
gsmy Bill" Misrepresentation Of It's
provisions was accompanied by abuse
OF It's author and threats of dire con-
sequences II II became a law Dis
patches were sent over the wires. east
and west, announcing that, "The Nor
mons OF Utah are preparing 20 resume
the practice OF polygamy In defiance OF
the public sentiment OF the whole peo-
pie" And further that, THE Utah
Legislature has practically passed a
law permitting polygamy," The morn
ing papers In this city, every day.
called the measure "The Polygamy
Bilf' in staring headlines. The most
notorious Mormon haters In the State
we're the bitterest denouncers Of the
bill, and the preachers Of the various
religious scots who have combined at
different times TO promote excitement
throughout the country against the
Mormon people. united In efforts TO de-
feat this measure.
In all the debates In the Legislature,
the newspaper articles and reports, the
declarations OF politicians. the street.
corner clamors. the predictions OF ca
lamity-howlers and the threats OF ex-
cited dlsturbers, there has not been
brought forward one solitary argument
against the measure itself or any Of its
provisions. 1t stands on its merits.
unmpeaohed
The whole tenor OF the uproar against
II Is that II may bring a storm OF pub
lie indignation. that viii eliminate In
the adoption OF an amendment to the
Constitution OF the United States. for
bidding polygamy and polygamous
practices. Why this tempest should
be aroused from so slight cause has
not been made clear. II is gratifying
to know that neither the author OF the
bill nor its supporters In either house
have been frightened by the phantom
evoked by the prophets OF evil.
It should be particularly noticed that
the very individuals and papers that
have labored so hard but as yet In
vain, TO obtain an amendment to the
Constitution OF the United States spec
tally aimee against Utah, have been
the most vehement opponents OF the
bill, on the ground that 1t would bring
about the very thing which they most
ardently desired. This is paradox
that can only be understood by those
who are not blinded BY the sophistry
and hypocrisy OF clerical and press de-
ceivers. II they really believed the
passage OF that bill would bring about
the end they have had for some time
In view, and which they are now Sc
cretly endeavorlng to achieve, they
would either have encouraged Its pas
sage or laid low and said nothing.
The Latter-day Saints are not the
people who have occasion most to
dread this bugaboo OF Constitutional
amendment. BY the time 4, could be
made effective in this State, but very
few Of them would be in a position to
be greatly affected by II. However.
there are others who might be In a
condition TO be terrified by the estab-
lishment of federal courts and officers.
charged with the discovery and pros
eeution OF certain offences. Utah, II Is
true does not wish to be put under a
needless stigma, but the "Mormons'
have no need TO dread either the tu-
multi aroused against them, every now
and again. or the actual adoption OF
the threatened amendment which their
enemies propose but which It Is very
unlikely they viii obtain. The oppon-
ents OF the Evans bill have had moth
ing 10 offer against It but a scare.