THE MORMONS SHOWING THEIR TEETH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 707, 29 August 1870, Page 4

THE MORMONS SHOWING THEIR TEETH.

; (From a New York Journal.) The news from Utah shows that the Mormons are rebellious at heart, and only wait for an opportunity to defy the United States Grovernment. We learn that tbe Mormon authorities, aB they are called m the despatch, during a recesß of Justice Wilson's Court, at Salt Lake City, on Wednesday, closed the House against him and the United States Marshal, and refused to allow the Judge to continue his sitting. It is said, however, that after consultation they surrendered the hall to the possession of the Court. This is not the first time that these fanatical people have shown their teeth to the United States Government. Every one will remember the incipient rebellion of the Mormons during the Pierce Administration, when General Sidney Johnson was sent out with a large force and at great cost to enforce the laws. It is pretty well known, too, that several of the Indian wars have been fomented by these people out of hostility to the Government and people of the United States, and with a 'view of making a profit out of the difficulties. How often, also, have the Mormon leaders denounced the Government aud threatened resistance to the extent of civil war. Their inflammatory speeches and newspaper articles, m connection with open resistance to the authority of the Government, would have brought down the strong hand of power upon them m other civilised countries. But the Government of Washington has been extremely moderate, and although the party now m power declared m its platform long ago that " those twin relics of barbarism, slavery, and Mormonism," must be destroyed, that party seems to have been afraid of facing the difficulty with regard to the latter. Slavery was abolished through the war, but Mormonism has continued to flourish, and is more deeply rooted to-day than ever. Opportunely with this news of the rebellious attitude of the Mormons at Salt Lake, and almost at the same moment of time, Mr Cragin, of New Hampshire, made a speech m Congress denouncing the barbarism of polygamy and other crimes m Utah, and urging the passage of the bill now pending to execute the laws m that territory. Mr Cragin told the Eepublican party that its mission was not completed, and would not be till Mormonism disappeared as well as slavery. The law of 1862 prohibiting polygamy and making it a crime is a dead letter, he said, because the Courts of Utah had no power to enforce it. He boldly declared that Utah is now a perfect pandemonium of debauchery and crime; that ignorant and deluded women "were enticed there and taught, under the guise of religion, that polygamy was a. sacred institution which would make them queens m heaven. He exposed their vile customs, and showed that the women are unhappy, though they were afraid to speak ; that, m fact, both they and the mass of the common men were under the most frightful despotism. He referred to the horrors of the Mountain Meadow massacre m 1857 and to other outrages, and said truly that a large part of these Mormons, who cursed and defied the United States, were ignorant, unnaturalised foreigners. This bill of indictment is too true, and it behoves Congress to crush out the evil before it acquires greater strength and spreads further. It is unnecessary to go into the history, practices, and doctrines of Mormonism. They are well known. The existence of such a community as these Mormons, numbering over a hundred thousand bouls, probably, m the midst of a great civilised country, is a surprising anomaly and a disgrace to the United States. The whole system is m conflict with the laws of nature, religion, Christianity, the ideas of the civilised world and morality. It leads to debauchery and pretends to sanctify it by the most gross perversion of religion. But its influence extends beyond the limits of Utah or of the Mormon communities. The free love societies scattered about m different parts of the country, and the free love ideas which are tending to sap the foundations of the family relations and of morals, gain their strength m a great measure from the

flourishing existence of Mormonism. Ignorant people, seeing a community of polygamists grow m wealth and power, undisturbed by the Government, are led to imagine there is something good m it, or, at least, that there is no great harm m it. The lewd and weak, who only study the gratification of their own passions, embrace Mormonism. This infamous stain on our civilisation and country has spread and been perpetuated through the grossest ignorance and vilest passions. It is a cancerous ulcer m- the body of society, and unless cut out must prove more dangerous than it has been. Now is the time to apply a remedy, and the Grovernment will be derelict m duty if it does not make the application at once. A great deal has been said about the difficulties m the way of extinguishing Mormonism, and no doubt they are not so great as they will be if the evil is permitted to continue. Every year adds to them by the increase of the Mormon population and their wealth. .Relentless persecution would only make these people martyrs, and cause, probably, a great deal of bloodshed. Aa a territory the Government has complete control over Utah, even m the matter of marriage and the family relation. A positive law, therefore, against polygamy can and ought to be enforced. Such a law may be made, too, that cannot be evaded. Though there may be some difficulty at first m defining the status of the women and children under Brigham Young's polygamous system, this can be overcome by wise laws. A sufficient force of United States officials — backed, if necessary, by the army — to carry out the laws m Utah will lead to considerable expense ; but the first cost will be the least. The railroads and telegraph and the pressure of the Gentile population, as tbe Mormons call it, m and around Utah, will aid tbe Government very much m extirpating the monstrous social evil. We call upon Congress, therefore, to act at once, and upon the Administration to work vigorously, for the removal of this last of the twin relics of barbarism on American soil.