OCR Text |
Show THE CINCINNATI "GAZETTE" AND THE COMMISSION. Of course the great majority of the newspapers of the country are anti-"Mormon" sympathizers. A newspaper that will say a friendly word for the "Mormons," or ever urge the propriety of considering constitutional principles or limitation when legislating concerning them, in a rare exception. The following sentiments from the Cincinnati Gazette, however, are more strongly impregnated with falsehood, gall and wormwood than those ordinarily expressed, even by newspapers of known and avowed hostility to "Mormonism:" The anti-Mormon Election Commission has operated more wisely than Congress could have foreseen. When the day of election arrived the Commission had not, consequently there was no ?? and no opening of the ?? No legal election can take place till the next annual, and the Governor has power by law, to fill vacancies in all Territorial and county offices. The Mormons are now asking the Governor to give them a share; but every Mormon is as much a supporter of polygamy and an enemy to the United States as if he had a score of wives. A resolute Governor and a Commission that would miss connections might repair the inadequacy of the law against polygamy. "Anti-Mormon Election Commission" is a term utterly inappropriate to the Utah Commission. They are sent to this Territory to carry out the provisions of a Congressional enactment. They are supposed to be a body of impartial, judicial men, with a duty to administer the law as they find it. To assume that they come here with minds biased or at enmity towards any class of citizens, as to suppose them utterly unfit for the duties imposed upon them. "The ‘Mormons' are now asking the Governor for a share" of the offices. The "Mormons" excel in the virtues of humility and meekness, but we have yet to hear of the first one who has become so devoid of pride and self-respect as to ask an appointment to office from Governor Murray. How comes it within the province of either the Commission of the Governor to "repair the inadequacy of the law against polygamy?" Is it, then, their purpose to "repair" the defective legislation of Congress? Then Utah is to have a legislative commission and governor, after all, who, out of their wisdom and statesmanship, or their bigotry, cupidity and malice, as the case may be, will "repair," that is, amend and supplement Congressional legislation respecting Utah, until the laws will suit their purposes. How long must Utah remain the football of Federal appointees? How long must she continue the "Cinderella of the family," and object for the gratification of the spleen and cupidity of her sisters of the Republic? She has been so long regarded as a creature whose very existence continues only by the sufferance of Congress that all thought of her having rights that are protected by the Constitution seems to have been lost sight of long since. |