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Show THE "MORMONS" AND THE CONSTITUTION. Editor Leader:-It has become a customary evil for government officers, who are sent to Utah, to be chosen from among those who are enemies to the people called "Mormons". In the Constitution of the United States, article VI latter part of the clause 2, it reads-"but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." Why are not men chosen from our midst to fill the government offices of Utah? Why is it that men are rejected as unsuitable to act as members of the grand jury because they believe a certain religious principle, or because they belong to a certain church? It is evident that something is wrong. Those who have control of government affairs ignore these things when Utah is concerned. Why? The answer must be, because the people are "Mormons". But -- amendments to the Constitution, Art. 1, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, etc." What does this mean? Do we need some learned lawyer to interpret it for us? The latter article plainly provides for the free exercise of any religious principle. Exercise does not mean belief only, but, to put into practice. What cry do we hear? The United States is determined to uproot the religion of the "Mormons." Do they come under the protection of the Constitution? This young man, born in this land of liberty, taught at home and school to love my country, because of its glorious history and Constitution, claim that they do. Are the doctrine of the "Mormons" religion? Can they be substantiated from the Bible? Yes and are such that tend to elevate and ennoble mankind. Nordhoff says, "The chief object of a constitution is to limit the power of majorities." If it were not so, what a perilous position the minority would occupy. If there is anything detrimental to the permanency of liberty it is for men who sit on judges' benches to trample under foot the Constitution, men who should sustain it. Oh liberty! where art thou gone! when a man has to be imprisoned for a religious practice, one that tends to do away with some of the soul destroying evils of the world! Can it be that the learned men of our land, in this age of enlightenment, ignore the principles of liberty? No! Glorious thought! There are those who still love them, and there are those growing up in Utah who are taught to be honest, virtuous and true to the principles of liberty, established by the fathers; who will make good citizens, because the very nature of their mountainous surroundings speaks freedom to their hearts, reverence to God, and justice to their fellow men. C. Richmond, Nov. 24, 1879. |