Evening star., 1921-09-25

Fifty years ago the Mormon ques-
ton was one of great puzz!ement
to the American peo-
War Against pie. Brigham Young
p.1u was defying the, aws
Folygamy. OF this country IN hi.
own example and tho course of his
followers. in adhering to polygamy
Nothing seemed to avail TO effect the
observance of the statutes and the
maintenance Of federal authority in
the territory. But there was some
hope that 4 solution of the problem
was at hand. though. in fact, it was
not until long afterward that polyga-
my was definitely put under the ban.
In The Star Of September 81, 1871, is
the following editorial:
1T is getting hot for Brigham
Young. For the first time a United
States judge finds himself strong
enough to make stand against pn-
lygamy in the courts of Utah. The
hope and belief of the Mormons that
no Mormon could be convicted of
bigamy. because no Mormon woman
could be found to appear as a wit
ness to her own discredit, has failed
them. a case comes before Judge
Mexican where a woman complains
of polygamist as an adulterer and
demands his indictment and trial
Several leading Mormons, among
them Elder Cannon. editor of the
summoned on the jury gave the
opinion that polygamy was right and
legal and were set aside by the judge
us not competent for jurors.
For the first time, therefore. 4
gentle jury has been irnpaneled, COM
petent to deal with cases involving
the biscmy-polygamy question. The
judge charged them that they were
to be governed by the same law
principles which control from Maine
to Montana; that murder, arson. big
amy and riot in Utah were as much
crimes there as elsewhere; that the
peculiarities of Utah are personal and
individual and do not form part. of
any system or policy. He made the
further announcement that those who
d;sobeyed the laws shall be punished
and that the men Of influence who
trample upon and defy the law and
who teach others to do the same
There is much covert wrath among
the Mormons at this unpleasant and
oniinous turn of affairs. but the time
has passed when Brigham can sum
mon his DANTE gang TO make short
work of obtrustive opponents. The
growing strength of the secession
Godbeyite Mcrmons, the influx OF
Gentiles into Utah in consequence OF
the development of the mines, the
close communication afforded by the
Pacific railroad with the outside
world have all served to break down
the power of the Brigham Young party
of polygamist Mormons. and it looks
now as if the end of polygamy was
not far distant.
With BriGhams death and the sue
cession of the Smith family 'sons OF
Jo SMITH to the Mormon raie. the fall
of polygamy would come naturally.
as they are avowed monogomists, but
its end is likely to come even sooner.
Brigham Young's bulldog tenacity is
tempered with no little tact and cum
ming. When the worst comes TO the
worst and the strain is too heavy TO
be resisted it is pretty certain that ne
will in his capacity of prophet receive
a revelation permitting the Mormons
to dispense with the religious cross
and burden of polygamy. placed on
their shoulders for a season as a
Christening dispensation. Polygamy
vas introduced by 10 Smith through
a revelation and Brigham Young
can get rid of it-when he wants to-
liz the same convenient way"