The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-05-16
Shall the Constitution of Idaho
Be Enforced :?


sideraton care not what it is, paper with the in
fuence of the Tribune should regad this question OF
the discussion of it, as rot"
There has been contention between the authorities
of the United States and the Mormon church ever
since 1852 when Brigham Young proclaimed poly
amy to be divine institution. The government has
tried with all its power to crush out and eradicate
this stain on the fair name of our country. The
progress enlightenment safety perpetuity ITSELF OF
our government, is based on the home. Polygamy
is destructive of all those high ennobng thoughts
which should surround children and communities
If polygamy is tolerated and sanctioned, and those
who practice and teach and encourage polygamy are
protected the communities in which they live and
thrive must of necessity become debauched in morals
We cannot make appeals to the growing generation to
live better lives cannot contend for civic right
eousness or high ideals in a community where the
awful shame of poygan1y finds defenders or apollo
gists
We regret exceedingly that the able editor of the
Lewiston Tribune closes his eyes facts and has be-
Indifferent that he denounceS as rot the
proof that Idaho has in its midst many polygamSts
that there laws by which they can be punished
and that these polygamsts and their teachings are
upheld for political purposes by great party, and
for political purposes members of the other political
petrators of this crime.
The phrase, "a few more words wasted on the poly
amy rot at the head of the Tribune article, is in
answer to reply made by the Scmitar to previous
utterance of the Tribune The Scimtar had said
and it repeats again, that "the polygamist sect is
given the political rights that are granted the
law-abidng Gentiles of the state" To this the
Tribune replied: mo polygamist or polygamist sect
vote in this state whether one may prefer it that
way not. Just find your polygamist, prove your
polygamous sect and the thing is done. Not only
dsfranchisement but the prison is the penalty there
for, just the bigamy, arson burglary.
Trot out your poygamist and let's have done with
it."
To this The Scrnitar furnished the three names
Godfrey Eschler Raymond Idaho; John F. Burton
Soda Springs Idaho; and Bishop Amos Wright of
Montpelier, Idaho and indicated its readiness to keep
on furnishing names for the Lewiston Tribune the
state authorities anyone else to prosecute if they
thought they could do so successfully.
This reply of The Scimtar caused the article with
the heading above quoted in The Tribune of the 4h
inst, in which article The Tribune says "If the
men named above poygamists, they are disfran-
chised and amenabe to state prison. = Whether
there three three score polygamists in the
state The Tribune for one refuses to condemn the
entire Mormon people, and refuses the
efforts of those who would do so. Xxx The Trib-
1ne is losing sleep the polygamy bugaboo.
It is entirely satisfied that the condition is taking
,are of itself and will be extingushed as rapidly as
he survivors of the Mormon practice pay the debt
If nature"
The Tribune then uses the argument on which all
Who take its position fall back 1t says:
If they polygamists who have become so
ince the practice ouawed, the courts are open
or their prosecution" This is the most complete
egging of the question the part of the Lewiston
ribune