OCR Text |
Show A" EJIIS'EXT JntlST OX ITAII AFI'AIKS. We are permitted to publish the following fol-lowing letter addressed to one of our business men, by a gentleman in Ohio, for many years an eminent judge, now a retired citizen of wealth, a man of the purest oharacter, devotedly religious, religi-ous, and a strong supporter of general Grant : "Straws show which way the wind blows." , Ohio, Joly 19, 1872. Dear Sir yours with the enclosures was received and read by us all with interest and pleasure. The government govern-ment of Utah, by the United States, has presented to my mind problems which I could not solve satisfactorily. I nave always suspected there were some legal rights which I did not understand, un-derstand, and that polygamy, though contrary to Christianity and good morals, might rest upon some authority author-ity or usage, whioh cannot be entirely disregarded. Your explanation of Mormon rights and their origin was very clear, and when they are understood, under-stood, it is not difficult to prescribe the remedy; The English in India encounter similar simi-lar questions, and practically apply the remedy you suggested. The native Indians have domestic and social habits and customs, which we regard as corrupt, cruel and dogradbg. The enactment of a law by tho parliament of England, or a proclamation by the governor-general will not change the habits and customs of the natives. That result is accomplished without violence, without a shock, and without with-out oppression. The process is slow, but it is irresistible. Commerce, railroads, rail-roads, intercourse with those who are more oivilized, accompanied by Christianity Chris-tianity and schools, are revolutionizing India, China and Japan. They arc also redeeming Spain and Italy. The moral influence of civilization, and especially es-pecially that which is based on Christianity Christi-anity and a free Bible, is irresistible at any time and any where. It is sometimes some-times slow but it is sure. Evils and immoralities, which are sanctioned by law or usage, can only be suppressed by reaching public sentiment. The corruption of public officers referred re-ferred to is shocking. It may be bolder wbero you are, but it is not greater thau it is in the oldest States. Utah has been so far away, and the intercourse inter-course with it so difficult, that the officers of-ficers hardly considered thomselvos under un-der any supervision. And even now they are seldom subjeot to rigid investigation. Tho President is not, if ho cao be, very careful as to the men whom he appoints to such positions. Between the unfortunate unfor-tunate appointments and a lack of supervision, su-pervision, our far off Territories are often the nurseries of corruption. Knowing, as you do, what is going on and how it is accomplished, you will be able to advise tho President, and so make official dishonesty more difficult. You mention an old friend of mino who went into office in ooml'ortable circumstances, cir-cumstances, and will come out, I have no doubt, very n'ct. Such instances are too common. Of late years so many have gone to congress poor, and whiio there have become rich, that congressional or official integrity is considered con-sidered very rare, and when found U a subject of comment. It is so much expected ex-pected and so Jittla condemned, that those who do allude to it are often denominated "old fogies." Familiarity Familiari-ty haa almost made it respectable. It may continue, soma time lonpcr, but a revolution ia not very distant. Tho country will be purilk'd aod rciua'm bo for a season, when ii will go down aa it has heretofore. Wo are doomed to such changes, and I do not see how they can be averted. The municipal government of New York city is a fair sample. Clinton was once mayor; Hall is now. They are now strugt'ioc to securo an honest government. It is doubtful whether the time for it has yet arrived. Should we go away. It-houldbegreat-; ly tempted to try some of tho western places, both for the novelty and their ; attractiveness A trip to California j undtr favorabls eircumtanc-'s ison'y ; fsco-nd to goir.sr to Europe. U will not , be at all FurprUici.'. if. in a few years, onr pleasure seekers swarm to the , Kooky Mountain as th.-y now do to j the Auautio coast. |