PRESIDENT HAYES ON MORMONISM.

Kumara Times, Issue 1360, 9 February 1881, Page 2

PRESIDENT HAYES ON MOR—MONISM.

The practice bf polygamy amongst the Mormons is exciting Serious atteri- 1 tion in the States.' President Hayed expresses his opinion as follows }—lt ft the recognised duty and purposes of tad people of the United-States and of the States to suppress polygamy where- it now exists in our territories, and ;prevent its extension'. Faithful add zfealous efforts have been made by the United States authorities ill OfcaH to enforce the laws against it. Experience has shown that the legislatidii upoii this subject, to be effective, requires executive mollificatian and amendments. The longer action is delayed the' tfcorei difficult it will be to accomplish wbat is desired. Prompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormon sectarian organisation which -upholds polygamy has the whole power of making and executing the local legislation of the' territory. By its control of the grand and petit juries it; possesses large influence over the administration of justice. Exercising, as the heads of this sect do, the local political power of the territory* they are'able to make effective their' hostility to the law of Congress oh the. subject of polygamy, and, in fact, to prevent its enforcement. Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who i practice it and uphold the crime. It can only be suppressed by. taking away the political power of the sect which encburages and sustains it. .The power of Congress to ghact suitable lawg to protect the Territories is ample. . It' is not safe for* half-way measures. The political power of the Mormon sect is increasing. It cbutrols now one of .om* wealthiest and most populous Territories. It .is extending' steadily? into other TemtorieS. • WherCyfer it goes 1 it establishes polygamy arid sectarian political;power. The sattictity of marriage and the family relations are' the corner-stone of ohr America ti society and civilisation. Religions liberty Snd the separation of Church and State are among the elementary ideas of frfie institutions. To reestablish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperilled, W fully re-open to intelligent and virfubtfs immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been In a great decree closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral institutions, it is recommended that the government ■ of the territory of Utah be reorganised. I recommend to Congress to provideTbr the Government of Utah by a Governor and Judges or Commissioners appointed by the Presidentand confirmed Ky‘‘'the Senate, or a Government analogous to the Provincial Government established for the territory north-west of 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 affiict Utah will be eradicated, and this territory will in good time become one. of the most prosperous and attractive of the newStatea to the Union; ? >