OCR Text |
Show PRESIDENT HAYES MESSAGE We have not space to review at length the President's message. It is the usual lengthy, and to the average reader, uninteresting treatise upon governmental affairs. We however, give entire that portion which treats upon the Utah question. It seems that in his last moments of power, Hayes would be glad to be able to do something that would place in fetters of the most galling kind, a people who are acting in obedience to a Divine command. We believe, however, that Congress is not in harmony with him to a degree sufficient to admit of the passage of the outrageous legislation proposal by Hayes: It is the duty and purpose of the people of the United States to suppress polygamy where it now exists in our territories and prevent its extension. Faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the United States authorities in Utah to enforce the law against it. Experience has shown that the legislation upon the subject to be effective requires executive modification and amendments. The longer action is delayed the more difficult it will be to accomplish what is desired. Prompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormon sectarian organization, which upholds polygamy, has the whole power of making and executing the legal legislation of the Territory. By its control of the [unreadable] large influence over the administration of justice. [unreadable] as the heads of this sect do, the local political power of the Territory they are able to make effectual their hostility to the law of Congress on the subject of polygamy, and in fact, to prevent real enforcement. Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who practice it and uphold the crime. It can only be suppressed by taking away the political power of the sect which encourages and sustains it. The power of Congress to enact suitable laws to protect the territories is ample. It is increasing. It controls now one of our wealthiest and most popular territories. It is extending steadily into other territories. Wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power. Its continued violation of the sanctity of marriage and the family relation is a disgrace to society and civilization. Religious liberty and separation of church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions. To the (re?)establishment of the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperiled and fully re-open to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been in a great degree closed to general immigration by the immoral institution. It is recommended that the government of the Territory of Utah be reorganized by enactment of Congress providing for a government for Utah by a governor and judges or commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, or a government analogous to the provisional government established for the territory northwest of the Ohio by the ordinance of 1787. If, however, it is deemed best to continue the existing form of local government, I recommend that the right to vote, hold office, and sit on juries in the Territory of Utah be confined to those who neither practice nor uphold polygamy. If thorough measures are adopted it is believed that within a few years the evils which now afflict Utah will be eradicated, and this Territory will in good time be one of the most prosperous and attractive of the new states of the Union. |