The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-04-02
TO OPPOSE THE CHURCH!
Story Of ldako's Fight Against
Encroachment Of Mormon
Hierarchy.

Before the race CT politicians In
Idaho became the coterie OF prin-
cipleless men who nov form the re-
publican party aud a part OF the
democratic forces, every man, In
whose heart there lay dormant the
desire to give first concern to the
welfare Of the commonwealth. had
but one thought, one idea, one opin-
Ion. concerning the Mormons. Years
of experience with this sect had
demonstrated that the Mormon
church was the mother OF that hide
Gus practice. polygamy. which, with
It's brother, slavery, the republican
party had termed 1.-THE twin relics OF
barbarism. On every hard were
men living openly aud hrazenly In
polygamy.
When public decency demanded
some semblance OF respectability Of
the Mormons ia Utah, they had
locked to the territory Of Idaho In
its then undeveloped stage, believing
they could there abandon themselves
to lustful iebauchery without moles-
tation.
These refugees, SO. TO speak, we're
utilized by the mother church as
tentacles which It was hoped would
slowly but surely enfold the govern
mcnt Of Idaho. Colonies were estab
lished, so.called pioneers we're given
substantial encouragement to journey
over the desert stretches, to build
new trails and establish settlements
where the fetive foot OF man had not
disturbed the virgin soil.
BY degrees the ramitications OF
the church we're projected over the
southeast and as far west as Cassia
county. Finally organization was
elected by the establishment OF
stakes and other ecclesiastical divi-
sions. by means OF which there was
eventually placed into being a def.
mite. solid lever Of power to be used
at will by tile church authorities In
Salt Lake City. This was gradually
strengthened by increased numbers
OF settlers, until the Mormon partici.
patton 10 the territory OF Idaho be-
came a mighty unit that was yirlu.
ally omnipotent.
Then commenced the career OF
prostitution OF government.
Mormons became the officials.
They fostered their vicious practices,
and at the same time devoted their
energies toward effecting a control OF
the entire territory OF Idaho. The
courts became corrupt; all authority
initiated against those who were not
of the faith.
But there were in the territory
thousands OF people who had sprung
of good stock, to whom Mormons,
with their polygamy, their dishon-
esty. their likes and their lawlessness
were like the lepers Of Palestine.
They could neither assimilate the
sect nor its ideas. They stood by
and witnessed the prostitution Of the
government and the Bacchanaliau
living, the beastly orgies, the vicious
ness and the sacrileee, until their
very souls writbed In anguish.
There was never a question OF toll
Grating religious belief There was
only question OF freeing Idaho for
all time from the clutch or the
friahtful monster, polygamous Nor
monism, only determination TO
hunt out the hideous sore with its
filthy emulation and remove It for
ever.
Delegates were sent to Poise when
il was proposed to design the organic
law Of a state In 1889. They left
their homes as democrats, republic
cans and labor men. They met as
brothers upon whom devolyeo the
stern duty of rescuing the sovereign
from the fangs OF lust
and dishonesty. Almighty God had
kifCu tttcuJ tut ftkois tffb 1tttikts
and intellect Of manhood and an en-
dowment Of pure air, OF virgin for.
ests. Of sequestered lakes and singing
rivers. and Of majestic mountains
whose rugged crests were the affairs
at which the intrepid empire build
ers worshipped. This ideal home was
either to be begueathed TO the chill
dren Of the state, and TO postefity. or
surrender to the bestial element
which proposed to there build new
Sodom and Gomorrah.
The state was saved. There was
placed in the fundamental law the
test oath which, IL was thought,
would forever disfranchise Mormons
and render 1t impossible for them to
participate In affairs OF government.
The necessity for this drastic action
Is best explained by the following
speech Of one OF the delegates:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of
the Convention:
shall heartily support the clause
in the constitution which depri~es O
sect OF people OF the elective fran
ebise who pay their FIRST allegiance 10