The Blow at Polygamy.
To the honor of the Republican party every one of its Representatives in the House voted for the Anti-Polygamy bill of Senator Edmunds, while forty-one Democrats and one Texas Greenbacker voted against it. The bill has thus been adopted precisely as it came from the Senate; it was introduced, advocated and carried by the Republicans in each House, and it will become a law by the signature of a Republican President. Open hostility, fallacious arguments, weakening amendments and all the trickery that minorities can use to delay action, were employed by certain prominent Democrats; but the cause of honesty and true Republicanism triumphed, as It did when the other one of the ‘ ‘ twin relics of barbarism,” slavery", was contended for by the Southern States under the lead of Democratic politicians. The first was thought worthy- of a terrible and bloody war for its preservation, and the right triumphed. The second has received its death blow through a simple act of legislation. There will be no war, and there will be few political speeches in behalf of the Mormon polygamists, among the Democrats. The bill, as passed by Congress, deprives the polygamists of the right to vote and to bold office, and stripped of these, they will cease to be an object of interest to the Democratic politicians. Some of their organs denounce the Edmunds bill, as was to be expected. It is a novelty in our legislation, but an unprecedented case has alway-s to be dealt with In a novel manner. Whatever defects may be discovered in the execution of the law can easily be removed hereafter.
Considering how easily- the passage of the Edmunds bill has been effected, it is a wonder that some measure like it was not adopted by Congress long ago. And
• considering the signs of tranquil acquiescence in it among the Mormons, it is another wonder that so many people, Republicans as well as Democrats, have dreaded to deal with the outrageous practice as it deserved. Really the delay- in the passage of such a measure has been a disadvantage to Utah more than to any- other part of the country; for in spite of the reported happiness and prosperity of the people there, the territory- lias not advanced so rapidly as it ought to have done, mainly because intelligent, moral and self-respecting people from the East and from Europe could not be induced to subject themselves to the social contact or the political authority of a lot of profligates and despots, with Brigham Young at their head. This chief of the polygamists somehow •contrived to strike awe into the hearts of distant observers and made Congress afraid of him, so that he died unpunished by the laws. But while he was thus exalting himself, he was damaging Utah; and it was a happy day for the practical, enterprising and industrious citizens when he was called to another world. The regeneration of Utah may fairly date from Young’s death. He left a number of widows and children, but no sincere mourners, and many people of the territory doubtless exulted and rejoiced at the departure of the old sinner. Fortunately he has had no successor who combined as he did sinfulness with audacity, and since his blackguard hierarchy has been without a responsible head as strong as his, Mor- monism has been sinking, but Utah has been rising.
A regenerated Utah will-now invite the people of other countries and States to come in and help to bring out her •wealth; to work her mines, till her fields, build her railroads, erect her churches and schools, and fit her to join the sisterhood of free and civilized ..•States. The monogamist Mormons and the other people, no longer properly sty-led Gentiles, seem elated at the prospect that the legislation of Congress opens to them, and there is already talk among them of rapid immigration, extensive Improvements and bold business enterprises. Perhaps the adventurous spirit awakened suddenly may need “holding . in,” for it sometimes, in new countries, carries people to ruin. But after a little while the excitement will die out, .and when things get a little settled Utah will be worthy of admission to the Union. She may, for awhile, choose to cast her votes with those of the Democracy. But the country- can bear that, and ultimately- the people of Utah will y|»in. with the Republicans who have just now, by bold but proper legislation,
• enabled them to prepare for a high des- tisy for their country as a member of the Union.—Philadelphia Bulletin.
