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Show 158 PRACTICAL POLYGAMY. then demand more will it not war upon the Book of Mor mon, and attack our church organization ?' The reply was emphatically c No, J that it had no right, and could have no justification to do so, and that we had no idea that there would be any disposition in that direction, " The talk which was said to be the freest and frankest ever known on that subject, in that presence, ended pleas antly, but with the full expression on the part of Mr. Colfax and his friends that the polygamy question might be removed from existence, and thus all objection to the admission of Utah as a State taken away ; but that until it was, no such admission was possible, and that the government could not continue to look indifferently upon the enlargement of so offensive a practice. And not only what Mr. Young said, but his whole manner, left us the impression that if public opinion and the government united vigorously, but at the same time dis creetly, to press the question, there would be found some way to acquiesce in the demand, and change the practice of the present fathers of the church."* Such admissions, under such circumstances, are significant, but they would not be made publicly, for the people's faith would be shaken. The President would talk so before them. But Brigham Young is a profound diplomatist, in his way, and with the example of Joseph Smith, and others, who publicly denounced polygamy, while they were privately practising it, what would there be to surprise the public in Brigham's course should a way yet be found to discontinue it, in the face of what is now transpiring. The Mormons are a people of contradictions and inconsistencies. I have dwelt thus freely upon the peculiar institution of Mormonism, because it is the only thing connected with the church that is of special interest to the public, either because of its vice or . virtue, and if the government institute hostile measures against the Mormons it will be solely for this cause, and to rid the country of so foul a blot on her his- * Across the Continent. Bowles. Page 1 1 a. |