The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-01-04

system and practice, so repugnant to our laws and
the principles of civilization to be allowed
to continue by the sanction of the Government it
self.
The court said it should not be allowed to con-
tinue by the sanction of the Government The
forcement of the Edmunds- Tucker act and the at
titude of the court brought the hierarchy to reaz
ing of the danger by which its pet institution
confronted. Imprisonment and confscation of
property to accomplish the final triumph of
government evil, unless impending calamity
could be averted.
The president of the church was equal to the
occasion. He not long in securing revelation
from God in which he was commanded to use his
influence with the people of Mormondom to persuade
them to abandon the practice Of polygamy and to
comply with the laws of the country. The president
of the church issued manifesto the subject and
it began to look though the twin relic had met
its Waterloo
Following the manifesto was issued prayer for
amnesty. 1t came from the hierarchy. 1t pleaded
the cause of people suffering from the niction of
the penalties of the laws, among which was the con-
hscation of the property of the church. This cry
of distress appealed to the synpathies of the Gov
eminent and in 1898 President Harrison issued
proclamation of pardon to all offenders, on condi-
ton that they should obey the laws of the country
thenceforward. In 1894 President Cleveland issued
a like proclamation Prison doors were opened, es-
cheated property was restored and all disabilities
were removed.
Presuming that the reformation of the violators
of the laws act of good faith and relying
the promise of the offenders that po1ygamy and
polygamous practices were abolished forever the
State of Idaho admitted to the Union in 1890
and the State of Utah in 1896, both States entering
into solemn compact with the general Government to
abstain forever1nore from all polygamous indul-
gences.
That these solemn promises have been violated in
letter and spirit by members of the Mormon church
and members of the hierarchy is a matter of evil
dence that admits of no dispute and that they are
being continuously violated is sustained by the same
indubitable authority. The president of the church
has declared under oath that he has broken his
promise and proposes to continue to violate his
agreement, and he insolently suggests that the Gov
eminent can make the most of it. Now that he
exists under a hierarchy controlled State and es-
Enlistment he knows that he is safe from the pen
atty of his sins-he and all his people So little do
they regard their honor, after securing self govern
ment under solemn promise
In the light of this condensed outline of the rise
and progress of the institution of polygamy, it must
be admitted that unhoy cause has gathered unto
itself the sinews of strength since Brigham Young
in 1852, incorporated in the official version of the
Doctrine and Covenants" the fraudulent command
establishing plural marriages.
1t was then beset by hostile government and an
infamed public sentiment and confronted by the
loud command of justice to surrender its weapons
and yield to the moral force of the Nation 1t is
now enthroned in high place. is participant in
the affairs of the government it has long defed and
has been taken under the protecting guardianship
IF the political party that makes and executes all
the laws under Federal jurisdiction.