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Show ''the situation is utah." continued. The economic policy of hia government govern-ment is best indicated in the institution institu-tion of a co-operative system, which, having for its baMs tho mutual principle, prin-ciple, nas been adapted to all commercial commer-cial transactions throughout the Mormon Mor-mon Territory. That this association has proved a success may be ascribed to the fact that it has been homogenous homogen-ous in its character and in the support it has received, the geographical situation situ-ation of the Mormon settlements, and the natural barriers by which they were surrounded, depriving them of any available source of competition. Bat it may be fairly questioned whether a Eociety which is eo restrictive in -its character, when regarded in its more important bearings, does not constitute, a mixed evil, so nearly allied as it is, in its leading features, to the system of protection. A consideration of the politico-economical value and future influence of this association may, however, how-ever, be dismissed, since during the last eighleen months Salt Lake city has witnessed a large influx of the Gentile Gen-tile element, an immense accession to its laboring population, and the establishment estab-lishment of mercantile houses successfully success-fully competing with the "church" institution in-stitution in every branch of its commerce. com-merce. The enrolment of Utah among the States of the Republic, although it is ardently desired by the great body of the Mormons, threatens the disintegration disintegra-tion of the church. The doctrinal principle of plurality of wives, which is a cardinal feature of the Mormon faith, conflicts with the laws of the United States; and the surrender of this twin relic of barbarism will be made a condition precedent of the admission ad-mission of the Territory into the Union. There is no doubt that the majority of men and women who practise and uphold polygamy do so as a matter of religious conviction, and it is possible that the motives of those who engrafted en-grafted polygamy upon a faith not otherwise especially obnoxious were sincere and conscientious. Public opinion, however,has wrought a considerable change among the Mormon Mor-mon community of late years. It is asserted that of the whole fraternity not more than one in twenty practise polygamy. Certainly it ia oapable of proof that polygamamous marriages! have declined between December,lS69, and December, 1871, in the remarkable remarka-ble proportion of ninety to six. Much of this result is due, beyond doubt, to the influx of population from the east and west; to the distribution among the Mormon settlements of an intelligent ptaodard of skilled labor "since the Lord hath uncovered the mines," and consequent spread of social so-cial intercourse; while not a little of the mot in contending with this peculiar pe-culiar institution is attributed to the cost of keeping the ladies, who, it is said, have of late years imbibed expensive ex-pensive tastes. j I ne sentiment ci the country is de-: de-: cidedly adverse to any further prosecu-, prosecu-, tioDB lor polygamy, and a wise solution ' of the question would seem to point to a legislative enactment which would render the commission of polygamy, from and after a certain date, a criminal crim-inal offence, and which would also extend ex-tend to tho offspring of all marriages contracted prior co that date legitimate rights. The Mormons are an astute people. They had to contend with difficulties and obstacles which appeared insurmountable, insur-mountable, but which were overcome by a determined will, united to a faith and zeal almost fanatical in its feryor. The doctrine of plurality of wives was not publicly sanctioned by the church and announced in the tabernacle taber-nacle until August, 1852, yet there can be but little doubt that the disciples of Joseph Smith practiced polygamy for several yoarB previously. As t8 indulgence in-dulgence came in by revelation, it is earnestly to be hoped that it may be found convenient, as it is politio, to dispense with the orTendiog canon by a like spiritual manifestation. The advantages which the Mormon inalitubion wilj (Jepive from an early admission into the Union that is bo-fore bo-fore the introduction of a Gentile population popu-lation in sufficient numbers to counterbalance counter-balance the influence of the church support will be a consolidation of the Mormon Territorial and executive power, and consequently a suspension of the criminal prosecutions, an administrative admin-istrative control sanctioned by legal authority, and the ultimata exaltation of the church and its imprests. Publio opinion on the subject may be said to bo unfavorable to the present pres-ent State convention, the anti-Mormon portion of the community urging that if the bill is successfully carried through congress, the power which will bo placed in the hands of a determined and fanatical people may bo abused, and the mininir and commercial inter ests of the Territory retarded. The fears of the minority having regard re-gard to the excess of Moimon population popula-tion existing at the present time are justly excusable, and tho objections which they urge against the impolicy of investing the Saints with an irresponsible irre-sponsible authority are entitled to full consideration. Considering, however, that the so-called Gontile population is increasing daily; that railroad enterprise enter-prise has placed the inhabitants of Utah within two days' direct communication commun-ication with the great centres of the east and west; that both European and American interests are largely identified with tho future of the Territory, Terri-tory, it is moro than probable that a broad and catholic view of the situation situa-tion will bo taken by congress, and that the wishes of a people numerically and otherwise qualified will not be disregarded. dis-regarded. Tho social aspect of the political struggle now impending has been intensified inten-sified by a public knowledge of the peculiar pe-culiar and abnormal situation in which some of the principal personages in this Utah drama havo recently been placed. The harsh and vindictive course pursuod by the federal authorities in the criminal prosecutions which have been instituted here has evoked a considerable con-siderable amount of sympathy for the Mormons. That a few unscrupulous office-seekers should have established a series of petty persecutions in the treatment treat-ment of Mormon offenders docs not surprise anyone who is acquainted with the general charaoter of political adventurers on tho Pacific coast, but that a United States judge should have sanctioned their acts by throwing around them the regis of his authority, lending to his judgment the full influence influ-ence of the ambus, so plainly exhibited, excites universal disgust. The judioial decisions, which oould proceed only from prejudice and intolerance, aided, it is said, by a packed jury, will probably prob-ably meet with a reversal upon a determined de-termined appeal to the Supreme Court. The first important case which came under federal jurisdiction was that of a Mr. Hawkins, who was charged with haviog committed bigamy, fined heavily heav-ily and imprisoned. The Territorial act which was relied upon by the prosecuting pros-ecuting attorney in this casj reads as follows: "If any man or woman, not being married to each other, lewdly and lasciviously associate and oohabit together, he or sha shall be imprisoned not more than ten years nor losa than eix months,- and fined not exceeding ii'200 nor less than 20." The law, it may be observed, was passed by Mormons, of whom this said Hawkins was eno, who practiced polveamy at the time, and it wis expressly ex-pressly framed by its promoters to punish pun-ish prostitution and adultry in cases where there was jio claim or pretence of marriage. It cannot be denied, therefore, that the conviction of a poly-gamist poly-gamist by a federal tribunal, depending depend-ing upon an act passed by the local legislature for a specific purpose, was a deliberate perversion of the law. It must be understood that, however illegal ille-gal they may bo, Mormon marriages are de facto marriages, and were not contracted in violation of thia statute, Fiat justitia mat ccvlutn. |