The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-06

lowest TO the highest courts, and when
il was settled by the Supreme Court
of the United States that plural mar
riages could no longer be INDUCED
in. Of course we were inclined TO
obey.
But we had a revelation on our
own statute books in regard TO plu-
raj marriages. and it was necessary
TO obey that in order TO obtain GER
tain blessings that could not be re-
ceived without obeying it. Whether
We should obey the law of the land
or continue 10 practice the law of
the church was a serious question.
Would Risk the Law.
We hold that the president of the
church IS entitled to receive reveal
lions inspired by the Almighty God.
President Woodruff sought guidance
from the Lord. and the Lord made
1t manifest to him that it was his duty
to stop plural marriages. He pro-
claimed that revelation. and il was
submitted TO the entire church, and
accepted by the church, and thus it
became binding. and from that day
TO this, the law OF the land has been
kept so far as plural marriages are
concerned. But there is a great diff
ference between taking a plural wife
contrary to law, and in taking care
OF the wives taken before il was a
violation OF the law. l would not
desert my wives. / would not abandon
my children. win run my risks be-
fore the law"
President Smiths voice shook with
emotion. He showed more feeling
than he had any previous time exhibit
ed, as he leaned forward and said:
But it is to the laws OF Utah that
/ am answerable. it is the law of my
state that has the right to punish
me. The courts of Utah are of COM
petent jurisdiction. Congress has no
business TO interfere with my private
affairs.
If the courts of my state do not
see fit TO call me to account for my
conduct. / cannot help it. Congress
has no right to interfere-it has no
right to peer into my marriage rela-
TONS and call me to account"
Chairman Burrows at this point
questioned the witness. He asked:
You say you would not abandon
your wives or your children.
Why do you consider it necessary to
lawful cohabitation became a crime?"
For Peace In the Family.
Because my wives are like all other
women. Il is necessary to maintain
peace, harmony and good viii between
myself and my good wives. That is
the kernel in the nut. That is why
my state, prohibiting polygamous CO.
habitation.
The church gave me my wives, and
] do not think the church could be
consistent in taking them" said Mr..
Smith, In answer to a question as to
why he did not agree with the Wood
ruff manifesto
The Lord giveth and the Lord TAX
eth away" quoted Senator Bailey from
the Scriptures Continuing. the Sena-
tor said IL appeared that polygamous
cohabitation is forbidden by both the
law of the land and the law of the
church, as laid down in the Woodruff
manifesto. and addressing the witness,
he asked:
Then. as head of the church, you
are violating the law of the land and
the ordinances Of your church as well?"
Not the ordinances" said Mr.. Smith.
We'll, the law. then"
mo, the rule" said the witness.
THE rule, after all, is the law for
the conduct" said Senator Bailey. II
was only trying to emphasize what
the revelations are. l don't know as
much about the nice distinctions in
religion as ! hope / do about the law,
but 1t appears that both the rule of
the church and the law of the land
forbade polygamous cohabitation, and
you, as the head of the church, VIC
lated both"
Il will not quarrel with the Senator
about that" the witness said. Later
he said that Senator Baileys assump-
tion was correct.
In reply to Senator Overman. Mr..
Smith said that the revelation of the
manifesto OF 1890 had not been pub
lished in the latest edition OF Doc
trines and Covenants" but that this
was an oversight and would be cor
rected.
Doesn't Teach, Practices.
Replying TO Chairman Burrows Mr..
Smith said that he does not teach
polygamy. and added: 81 am not
openly and obnoxiously practicing
polygamous coha bitation."
How could you better teach polyg-
amy than by pi'acticing it?' Mr.. Bur-
rows continued.
The reply was: II am not practl,-
ing polyRamy ! am practicing polyga-
NOUS cohabitatiOu. which is not polyg-
amy POlyEamy is plural marriage and
4 fave taken no plural wives since the
manifesto " Js90."
Replying 70 q question from Senator