The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-07-04
THE IDAHO SCIMITAR.


Thousands of women in the territory of Utah are
today in a condition of abect slavery. Many OF
them would proclaim their wrongs to the world il
they dared. We appeal to you not to take any step
that will cut off all hope of their deliverance
We know it has been urged that poygamy, the
and blight of the homes of Utah, is Fastening
to its death and that even if the people do not agree
to relinquish it. it will shortly fall before an at
tack OF natural forces consequent upon being brought
into contact with the Christian civilization of the
nineteenth century, but do the facts which are con-
Stantly transporting support this assertion?
During the past three months polygamous marri-
ages have rather increased than diminished. Since
the lst OF November scores of young girls have been
led up to the endowment house and sealed to men
who had already from two to five families.
Is 1t reasonable to suppose that people who defy
the law thus openly, while under the direct super
vision Of congress, will order their internal affairs
more in harmony with the constitution when invest
ed with the prerogatives of a state government?
But the continuance of polygamy is not the only
ground upon which your petitioners deprecate the
admission of Utah into the union. There other
crimes and other ryannies that will surely be
perpetuated in such event
The constitution of country guarantees to
every one of its law abiding citizens the rights of
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The prn-
cples which govern the majority in Utah make these
rights dependent upon the will of single man, who
has already been guilty of incredible abuse of power
The history of his reign (for is nothing ese) has
been written in characters of blood Some of your
petitioners have known what it is to incur his dis
pleasure and tremble for their lives. Others have
had their property torn from them and their dear
est interests ruthlessy trampled upon by him. Will
congress consign them again to the tender mercies
of this and his coadjutors?
A number of your petitioners have become res
1dents of Utah within two years past. Relying upon
the protection of the federal government, we with
our families, have sought homes here; but though
we, our husbands and sons have been peace
ably engaged about private duties and have in no
way lnterefered with the rights of the earlier set
tiers, we have been regarded unwecome intruders
and have been forced to live though in eneny's
country.
We have been told repeatedly through the columns
of the Deseret News (the official organ of the
Mormon church) that in the event of Utah's becom-
ing state, if we do not choose to be ruled by the
majority, we can leave-the railroad is open.
We duly sensible of the graciousness of this
permission, but there some obstacles in the way
of availng ourselves of it. Many of us have our
all invested here and would be forced to leave empty
handed Still, that would be preferable to remaining
here under the rule of those who have shown them
selves incapable of either justice mercy and de-
term1ned to ignore every principle which lies at the
foundation OF our republican institutions. Our
prayer to you, the representatives of free people,
is that you will not take such action as will force
unon us either alternative.
(Signed) Mrs. VIM S. Godbe
And 473 Others
1t was thrty-siX years ago that this petition was
placed in the hands of congress. 1t was then stated
by its defenders that polygamy was fastening to it's
DEATH being unable to survive contact with cviliza-
uoI- lEat was not true then any more than 1t is
now in the presence of the plea by its defenders
of today
Seventeen and eighteen years later, it was much
nearer death than it now is for Utah was then still
a territory and the forces of the general govern
ment put in motion for its destruction. Poly
gamy was pursued SO relentlessy that it must soon
have been crushed for hundreds of its devotees
were in prisons, the church property confscated
the Mormons were disfranchised and outlawed The
prophetic words of the petition of 1872 were being
the government could subdue the
crime as long as Utah remained a territory and if