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 astics and sentimental millenarians, to embody a vast code of doctrine, instruction and commandment against marital pluralism; wherein the extremest wrath of God is menaced against offenders, and the direst judgments suspended over those nations wherein it is permitted. This is simply absurd. And yet absurd as it is, it hag served as the basis of a fiery fanaticism, a violent agitation and a bitter persecution, under the influence of which, a statute has been passed which, for heartless malignity, may search the books of the law in vain for a parallel.

This, however, is not all that the New Testament contains touching the marriage relation. Again and again in the Gospels –and this, be it remembered, in a polygamous country—is the permanency and the inviolability of the marriage relation affirmed. For one cause, and for one cause alone, could it be rightfully abrogated. This, if the author of Christianity—"the Head of the Church"—is to be regarded as its rightful law-giver, is the fundamental law of Christendom upon the subject. A marriage contract, a polygamous marriage contract, except upon a single ground—the adultery of the wife—is pronounced indissoluble by human agency; and this in terms so direct and distinct that to mistake their meaning or to break their force by interpretation is impossible. Why did not the Supreme Court of the United States, while pronouncing "marriage from its very nature a sacred obligation," take a moment to consider upon the conditions to a sacred obligation? Is the obligation of marriage only sacred as between the parties to the contract, while to legislative bodies and judicial courts, it is so profane and secular that, by a single flourish of the pen, and without an inquiry into the character or the will of their parties, thousands of marriage contracts may be annulled, and such parties outlawed and punished for having entered into them?

The decision of the court is broader in effect than, upon its face it appears. It is a rule of the law that power over a particular subject matter, Once vested in a legislative body, is plenary, in respect to such subject matter. The authority to enact statutes to forbid plural marriages and to punish the parties to them, implies the authority to provide for the prosecution and punishment of all who, whenever married, continue to live in pluralism; and thus, by a single penal enactment, a whole loyal people. living in content and harmony, may be transformed into felons, their domesticities dismembered, a horde of helpless women turned home-