State of the Union AddressesHayes, Rutherford Birchard
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State of the Union Addresses
Hayes, Rutherford Birchard
Presidents -- United States -- Messages; United States -- Politics and government -- Sources
It is the recognized duty and purpose of the people of the United States to
suppress polygamy where it now exists in our Territories and to prevent its
extension. Faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the United States
authorities in Utah to enforce the laws against it. Experience has shown
that the legislation upon this subject, to be effective, requires extensive
modification and amendment. 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 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 on the subject of
polygamy, and, in fact, do prevent its enforcement. Polygamy will not be
abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who practice 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 not a case for halfway measures. The political power of the
Mormon sect is increasing. It controls now one of our wealthiest and most
populous Territories. It is extending steadily into other Territories.
Wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power. The
sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our
American society and civilization. Religious liberty and the separation of
church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions. To
reestablish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have
imperiled, and to fully reopen 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 intolerant and immoral institutions, it is
recommended that the government of the Territory of Utah be reorganized.
I recommend that Congress provide for the government of Utah by a governor
and judges, or commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by
the Senate--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
that this Territory will in good time become one of the most prosperous and
attractive of the new States of the Union.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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