Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1906-09-20
legal birthrights and reared in an

the moral sense Oh mankind ana
to rescue these little children, 30
that each may stand equal in the
eyes of the law, unashamed OF it's
parentage. we appeal to the mother
hood Of this state to stretch out
protecting arms over the children
reared in this vicious practice of
unlawful Capitalization.
The women of Idaho have at
once been given a great privilege
and a great duty and we urge them
SO to act in this campaign that the
claims made in their behalf shall
be indicated, viz:-whenever
question of morality should be pre-
sented to the people, the votes of
the women would be cast fearlessly
for the right. Can you, women of
Idaho, looking into the clear inno-
cent eyes of your children, fail to
help us free the polygamous chill
dren Of the curse of bastardy?
Was it not taught on the shores of
Galilea that, at were better that a
milestone were hanged about his
neck and he be cast into the sea,
rather than he should offend one Of
these little ones?' Is that not
living truth today in Idaho? Ia
not the question whether or not
you will continue to permit these
little ones to be offended, put
straight to the hearts of the women
OF Idaho today in this campaign;
whether joining with us, you will
put down forever the practice of
polygamy in this state? There
have appeared apologists for the
old polygamists; but who, if not the
women of this state, shall be heard
in defense of their young children?
The state Of Idaho stands pillor-
led before the United States, placed
there by the sworn testimony OF
Representative French before the
Reed Smoot Investigating commit
tee Of the U. 5. Senate, where sit
ting between two polygamons
apostles Of the Mormon church, he
unblushingly testified that the peo-
pie of Idaho condoned the crime of
polygamy and unlawful cohabita-
ton in the cases of old polygamists.
Do you, women of Idaho. condone
the birth of the children of the old
polygamists, tainted from their
infancy by this system of crime?
Last July 43rd child was born
to the 3rd polygamous wife of JOS.
F. Smith, president of the Mormon
church. Are we to allow this
statement to stand regarding Ida
no, or will the earnest men and
women of this state repudiate il?
No less momentous in it's effects
upon the future of Idaho is the
interference in political affairs of
the Mormon Hierarchy. AS is
we'll known, the Mormon voters
hold the balance of power between
the two great parties, the Repub-
lican and Democratic, and these
Mormon votes are absolutely con-
trolled by the Hierarchy. 1t is
possible for the authorities of the
Mormon church sitting in Salt Lake
City. to say to either party in Ida
no, III you will agree to our de-
mands, we will place you in
power" 1t can say to any indi-
vidual of either party, ''If you
agree to support measures favor
able to us, we will make you SEN
ator, governor or put you in what
ever Office you may aspire to-" L.
not this great power inimical to the
best interests of the state? Will il
not build up in our politics the
system of. "bossism," to trample
on the aspiration of our people!
Was not this great power of the
Mormon Hierarchy lately exerte,l
at Pocatello, when in convention
in which three polygamists sat,
two men were permitted to prepare
a Slate aud parcel out the offices
VI euio sUdtc, Wituoub iCSdid W phe
choice of the people, but always
with the approval of the Mormon
leaders? The motto of that con.
vention seems to have been, I'll
we can please the Hierarchy, the
people can be disregarded. y
Have we not seen in Boise the
polygamous apostle, John Henry
Smith, of the Mormon church en-.
deavoring to coerce a Legislature
and to change the clear provisions
of the constitution of Idaho agains,
polygamy, which he said were st
Objectionable to his people, and
has not this been testified to by
leading republicans OF Idaho?
Have we not seen the polyga
nous apostle, Matthias Cowboy
incorporating as book agent and
visiting homes III Oneida county
with the statement that inasmncl
as he was the spiritual advisor Of
the people, they must listen to him
IN political affairs? Have not the
people of this state seen apostle
Penrose, likewise polygamist
leaving his Office in Salt Lake City
81, ~