OCR Text |
Show - J rw -- jr.' -- r-" . r WO THE WOMAN'S EXPONENT. ESDtlEIXirjE B. TTELUS, Editor. PabSshed. senonthly,, to Batirtlkk? bty TJtahv Terms: One copy one year, 12.00; one copy tlx months, 1.00. TenL,coj?iei for ihe price of nine. Advertising relet: Each square, tea lines of nonpareil space, one time, $3.00; per month, $3.00. A ' nigral discount to regular advertisers. JLiLl of the Council Exponent Office, Lower West Room ' South Business House,' hours Temple Stieet. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday. :' '.' Address all business communications to ,f Publisher Woiuxft Extoxxxt, Salt Lake City, Utah. SALT LAKE CITY, DEC. 1, 18795. M A N'S E XP O K E N T those who violate or oppose the enforcement .Vof the law on this subject." i. All this sounds very well to those who are using their influence to break rip the homes of the people who, settled this desert land, and encountering hardships and privations of every name and nature almost, at last Yucceeded in obtaining gome of the rights and privileges of citizens of a Republl&r It may be that His Excellency .would use some stringent measures to prohibit plural marriage in future, because monogamy is the established custom of the .country; but that a man in his position will spread desolation and devastation, and impoverish a now prosperous Territory belonging to the ganeral government, sema to us incredible. When such thlDgs are done we shall bellevo "men are gone mad." has been duly InBesides, His Excelier-eformed of the misery be would bring into the now peaceful, happy homes of the people. Separations that would indeed rend asunder s of women and children. the very In our interview with Pres. Hayes last making a verbal statement to His and Excellency of the condition of this the desolation and misery which must necessarily follow a rigid enforcement of the law, of 1862, then Just having been declared constitutional by the decision of the Supreme Court, His Excellency not only listened attentively and, feelingly to the recital, but remarked that he had never looked upon the question in the same light before, bad never, thought it would involve so muoh sorrow and wretchedness; and that it was altogether too important a matter to trust to memory, and requested us to put what we had said in writing, that he might give it careful consideration and present it In that form to his Cabinet. We do not believe hl ti to be or but continual the unfeeling, howliogs of those who are seeking to destroy the peace and prosSaints has had Its efperity of the Latter-da-y fect upon the rulers of the country. We earnestly and solemnly beseech ed him, as the Chief Executive of this great natioo, and the father ofits people, to consider well the nature of the persecution aroused against this people by the ministers and wtmen of the nation whose petitions were pouring into Congress from all quarters. We entreated him in the name of "One who sees not as man sees," wrlo would not permit even a sparrow to fall to the ground without his notice, to exert his influence to avert any harsh measures: that this Territory, now abounding in contentment, and plenty, might not be desolated and filled with prisons for men, almshouses for children, and asylums for women cruelly driven to insanity We asked the question, What balm has Your Excellency,' or Congress, to offer for broken hearts or desolated hearths? What recompense can you make these children for a father's tender care? Can Congress appropriate an unbounded supply of the milk of human kindness to heal the wounds, or dry up the fountains of woman's tears, when the strongest ties of love are icnt asunder? JWe argued tbat it was impossible for His Ex. cellency to comprehend the strength of the affection which exists In;PatriarchalMormon b of husband and wives for each other.of the father for all his children; .and also, we would most respectfully suggest tbat before you countenance any measures taken to destroy the happiness jand prosperity of the Mormon people you would become familiar with the record of the Latter-da- y Saints, and In them, riot only be guided and dictated judging the by highest and finest sentiments of humanity; but with C . i ; the reflection that upon the annals of this nation will be engraven the record of your deci- sion in a matter which involves the life, liberty and happiness of many thousands of loyal citizens of this Republic It is impossible to state, in so small a space, the arguments presented, or Jhe pen picture drawn for His Excellency, of the disastrous effects which must follow a decision 'such as has been urged by y the party. The Latter-daSaints know to what terrible straits they wouH be driven, if compelled to submit enmasse to the rigid enforcement of any harsh measure?, such as are now being agitated. It is tco hideous a picture to contemplate, therefore we will leave it for the present, knowing there is a God who has said to his oppoeeis in times past, "Thus far sbalt thou go and no farther." Anti-polygam- y y PRESIDENT HAYES AND A PART OF HIS MESSAGE.. heart-string- His Excellency Pres. Hayes, in his annual message, talks about the Mormons and "Polygamy" in to decided a manner that be evidently Intends people to think be means wbat he says (and it may be .that be does), but in cur humble opinion; Pres. Hayes Is too beneficent and merciful a man to put into execution a law that he knows will deprive hundreds of women of the! protection for 'themselves and their children which they now enjoy, while be holds the position of a father to the nation. We do riot believe him capable of 'so cruel and wicked arf act. Vet this, is who t he fays in reference to the fuhjeef: "the suppression op polyg amy. "The continued deliberate violation by a large number of the prominent and influential citizens of the Territory of Utah of the laws of the United States for the prosecution and punishment of polygamy, demands the attention of every department of the government. This Territory has a population sufficient to entitle it to admission as a State, and the general interest of the nation, as well as the welfare of the citizens of the Territory, require its advance from a Territorial form of government to the responsibilities and privileges of a State. This important change will, however, (not) be approved by the country while the citizens of Utah, in a very considerable number, uphold a practice which is condemned as a crime by the laws of all civilized communities throughout the world. The law for thetuppreaslon of this offence was enacted with great unanimity by Congress more than seventeen j ears ago, but has remained until recently a dead letter in the Territory of Utah, because of the peculiar difficulties attending its enforement The opinion widely prevailed among the citizens of Utah that the law was in contravention of the Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. This objection, is now removed. The Supreme Court of the United States has decided the law to be within the legislative power of Congress, and binding, as a rule for all who resided within the territories There Is no longer any reason for delay or hestltation in its enforcement. It should be firmly and effectively executed. If not sufficiently stringent In its provisions, it should be 'amended, and, in aid of the purpose in view, I .recom-m- ei !a Bswe comprehensive and more searching methods for preventing, as well as punishing this crime be provided. If necessary to secure obedience to the law, the enjoyment and of the Tights an,d privileges of citizenship in the territories of the United States may bo withheld or withdrawn from , . . of-actio- St the-exercis- 1 e Win-ter,'aft- hard-hearte- er d, : fam-IIc- Congress seems to be well supplied with bills, amendments and resolutions suggestive of plans to deal with the Mormon question! The people of this Territory may congratulate themselves that Utah and her people is a very popular subject In Congress this year. Notices of these bills came too late for us to discuss in this number. HOME AFFAIRS. By Invitation of Bro. C C. A. Christlanson, we had the pleasure of being present at the exhibition of the "Mormon Panorama," in the 14th Ward' Assembly Rooms, Monday evening, Dec. 8. This series Of paintings were designed and executed by Bro. C. himself, and are descriptive of some of the most thrilling events in the history of the Latter-daSaints. The pictures are very good, and are strikingly illustrative of the scenes represented. Those who are best acquainted with the subjects which the paintings are designed to delineate, say they are excellent in almost every particular, and they certainly deserve the patronage of the people through the Territory. Children will learn from these some of the pathetic epi sodes through which this people have passed, and the pictures will make a more powerful and lasting impression upon them than the mere recital, however eloquently or definitely described. Mormonism Is rich with incidents for the artist, the historian, the drama, and it is a credit to Bro. C. to give the public the benefit of his arduous, though perchance pleasant labor. We sincerely wish him every success and do not hesitate to recommend bis series of views; the production of home talent, in whatever class of home work, it should be " the pleasant duty of every Latter-daSal. t to encourage and tustMn. Mrs. Emily B. Spencer, of St. George now residing In the 14th Ward of this city, two doors South of tho Valley House, at the' residence of Wilford Woodruff, Jun., will give twelve lessons in drawing, or painting in water colors, for $2.50.- She is ako well acquainted with the best methods of arranging genealogical records ready for baptism of the dead, and will .fill up record books wiure th work has been accomplibhed. Mrs. Spenct r has bad ... much experience in this kind of ik. P.REP ar A.TIONS for the holidays am. in order, one would judge from the busy appearance of the city generally. The stores and fthops are undergoing the ornamenting and decorating process, and, every conceivable article of use, ornament and luxury are presented to the pubic la the best and most inviting style. The Windows of Z. C. M. I., and-oYoung and Marks store, opposite, scorn designed to rival y y - f |