The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-04-16

the Mormon religion in spirit of impartiality: or
perhaps it would be better to say that one has
yet done 80. All who approach the subject are
either Mormon or anti mormon, and in either case
preudiced for the idea of polygamy is foreign
to the spirit of the present century that to "gen
tile," distance lends perspective to it. But on
the other hand, it is quite possible to consider the
Mormon church. aside from it's religious teachings,
and heartily respect it.
If it is nothing else, the Mormon church has
proven itself to be magnificent development organi
cation, capable of taking absolutely raw material
from among the downtrodden peasantry Of Europe
and moulding it with great rapdiy into sef-respect
ing, self-supporting American manhood It has
transformed desert into of the richest and
most productive agricultural regions in the world,
work which is still progressing under it's guidance
while it's settlements, altho they spring up in few
hours, have stability that is not common among
other western mushroom towns.
DR.. Richard T. Elys article on the Economic
Aspects of Mormonism, in this months Ha,pevs, is
the most interesting of his series of essays on
American social conditions. He finds much to ad-
mire in the followers of Brigham Young and much
to condemn in their religion. Polygamy, he i'm
plies altho fatal to spiritual growth was conducive
to plain living and frugaity. He ntimates that it
would have died natural death, without the aid of
legislation as the Mormons we're brought into closer
contact with the balance of the world ut is fire.
quently said says DR.. Ety. "that fashion itself must
have killed polygamy. The Mormon men find it
all they do to support wife and her children
the desire to lead fashionable life and to
follow the customs of this world fairly enters and
takes possession of the family" And it probably
will be just this difficulty to make both ends meet
that will ultimately put end to plural marriages
in Utah.
DR.. Elys series of essays should be read care
fully by all who desire to be we'll informed regarding
the United States if for other than to learn
anew what large and heterogeneous country it is.
THEORETICALLY at least all law is based on
common sense: and the decision handed down last
week by the United States Circuit Court of Appeals
in the now famous merger case justifes the as
sumption that common is sometimes upheld
by law. To assert that combination of two paral-
lei lines of railroads, possessing together monopoly
of the trade of immensely rich territory, might not
at some time evolve or degenerate, into "combina
ton in restraint of trade is to insult the intelligence
of a ten-year old child. That the Northern Pacific
and Great Northern roads have not increased their
freight rates since the organization of the Northern
Securities Company, has nothing to do with the
they might easily have done SO if they had fit,
and therein lies the danger This is the stand taken
by Judge Thayer and his associates
The decree of the Circuit Court of Appeals is
sweeping enough to efectually place quietus on
all such corporations as the Northern Securities
Company and it is to be hoped that it will be sus-
tanned by the Supreme Court when the case is