Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-21
WHAT WAS PROVED.

The Northwestern Christian AdVo-
cate attempts an answer TO Senator
Shoots article in the North American
Review The Advocate contends that
the famous Senate investigation proved
that the Church has broken sacred
hedges given by II to the nation, re-
gardine poiygamy. In tho language
of the Advocate. "The investigation
did no such thing" 1t proved that
whatever pledge was made by the
Church has been faithfully kept.
II proved TO the satisfaction of
large majority Of the Senate that the
number of families living in plural
marriage diminished from the time of
the Manifesto. with almost marvellous
rapidity. No stronger proof could pos
sibly be adduced as to the faithfulness
with which the Church carried out the
pledge relating to polygamy. The m
vestigation further proved that There
was a common understanding both in
Congress and Utah that there were not
only to be no more plural marriages.
but that prosecutions for polygamous
cohabltation had become so difficult
that there was practical suspension of
them. and that time was the only GER
tain solution of the perplexing prob
lem proceedings Before the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections, Vol. Nv,
Page 503). The report continues This
sentiment has not only ever since con-
tinued, but with the constant diminu-
ton of the number of polygamous fam
lilies and the rapid approach of the time
when all will have passed away, there
has come a natural strengthening of the
sentiment
We beg the Advocate to notice es-
pecially that 1.-THE common under
standing both in Congress and Utah
was that prosecutions of polygamous
cohabitation had become so difficult
that there was a practical suspension
of them" This worked neither harm
nor hardship to anybody. To interfere
with relations entered into years be-
fore the manifesto, would have been
persecution and nothing else. And this
all conservative citizens of Utah fully
realized, and still realize.
The Advocate, writing from dis
lance. may not see things pertaining
TO this State as clearly as we here in
Utah see them Perhaps an iiiustta-
ton may be helpful. Some communi-
ties are suffering from the operations
of blackmailers New York has had a
case not so very long ago. Writers OF
o certain periodical would try TO extort
sums OF money from men or pronin-
ence under the threat of publishing
something derogatory to their moral
character. or ruinous to their standing
in society This illustrates somewhat
the origin and motive of the agitation
against the leaders OF the Church in
Utah. To be sure. 1t was not money
the agitators were trying to force from
them. 1t was influence in favor OF
their political schemes and ambition.
And when this was refused, the agita-
ton started. An excuse was easily
found. Blackmailers never are at a
loss for point of attack. Had the
political support hoped for been given.
there would have been no disturbance.
1t was the agitators who broke the
pledge, or violated the common under
standing.
one point in the article OF the Advo-
cate is especially noteworthy. The
paper has very pronounced Views as
20 the necessity OF a Constitutional
amendment against "polygamy and
polygamous cohabitation." But what
of the offenses that cannot be called
"polygamous?