Speech #470036504

There was never a time when it was otherwise and in which righis could be obtained now sought to be annulled. At the January term of the district court of the United States. in 1871. at Salt Lako City. this question arose in the matter of the application of Richard Douglas. Ralph Douglas. and William Kay for naturalization. The court then held that as they admitted they were polygamists or Mo.mons they were not entitled to become citizens by naturalization. bcause they were guilty of crime and were not "of good moral ch aractcr. attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States. and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same." The court says that either the civil or the common law existed in the Territory of Utah when the Government of the United States acquired the same from the Mexican Republic . that both the civil and common law of all civilized nations condemned bigamy and polygamy as a crime. that whether these emigrants intlie Territory of Utah found there the principles of the civil law or brought or found there the principles of the common law. they we:e alike forbidden to practice the crime of bigamy or polygamy. and that. too. without any Congressional legislation upon the subject. I commend the conclusions of ChiefJustice James 13. MeKean in this case to this Husso. where he says: It is quite time that certain men in this community who mislead the people and prate about their loyalty to the Constitution while they denounce every law that opposes their lusts. it is quite time such men had learned that the jurisdiction of a nation within its own territory is exclusive and absolute.