A decade prior to the Civil War there were two major political parties in the United States:
Democrats, who favored freedom of choice to own slaves;
and
Whigs, who tried to be a big tent party to stem the loss of members to the Know-Nothing Party.
In
Ripon, Wisconsin, anti-slavery activists met for the first time on
February 28, 1854, then held their first State Convention in Jackson,
Michigan, JULY 6, 1854.
This new political party stood against slavery, taking a moral stand for the value of human life.
Also, because of a movement in Utah to redefine marriage, this new party stood for marriage being between one man and one woman.
They named their party "Republican," with the chief plank being
"to prohibit...those twin relics of barbarism: POLYGAMY AND SLAVERY." Those attempting to redefine marriage were denounced by Republican President Ulysses S. Grant, December 4, 1871:
"In Utah there still remains a
remnant of barbarism, repugnant to civilization, to decency, and to the laws of the United States...
Neither
polygamy nor any other violation of existing statutes will be permitted...
They will not be permitted to violate the laws under the
cloak of religion."
On December 7, 1875, President Grant stated:
"In nearly every annual message...I have called attention to the...
scandalous condition of affairs existing in the Territory of Utah, and have asked for definite legislation to correct it.
That
polygamy should exist in a free, enlightened, and Christian country,
without the power to punish so flagrant a crime against decency and
morality, seems preposterous...As an institution
polygamy should be banished from the land...
I deem of vital importance to....
drive out licensed immorality, such as polygamy and the importation of women for illegitimate purposes." Republican President Rutherford B. Hayes stated, December 1, 1879:
"
Polygamy is condemned as a crime by the laws of all civilized communities throughout the world."
President Hayes stated December 6, 1880:
"
The sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our American society and civilization."
Republican President Chester Arthur stated, December 6, 1881:
"For many years the Executive...has urged the necessity of stringent legislation for the
suppression of polygamy...this odious crime, so revolting to the moral and religious sense of Christendom."
Supreme Court Chief Justice Morrison Waite, appointed by Republican Ulysses S. Grant, rendered the
Murphy v. Ramsey, 1885, decision:
"Every person who has a
husband or wife living...and marries another...is guilty of polygamy, and shall be punished...No
legislation can be supposed more wholesome and necessary in the
founding of a free, self-governing commonwealth...than that which seeks
to establish it on the basis of the
idea of the family, as consisting in and
springing from the union for life of ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN in the holy estate of matrimony."
In the comprehensive annotated
John Quincy Adams-A Bibliography, compiled by Lynn H. Parsons (Westport, CT, 1993, p. 41, entry#194), former President John Quincy Adams wrote in
Essay on Turks, 1827:
"Mohammed poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain, by
degrading the condition of the female sex, and the allowance of polygamy."
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Field, appointed by Republican President Abraham Lincoln, rendered the
Davis v. Beason, 1890, decision:
"
Bigamy and polygamy are crimes by the laws of all civilized and Christian countries...They...destroy the purity of the marriage relation...degrade woman and debase man...There have been
sects which denied...there should be any
marriage tie, and advocated promiscuous intercourse of the sexes as prompted by the passions of its members...
Should a
sect of either of these kinds ever find its way into this country,
swift punishment would follow."
Get the book, American Minute - Notable Events of American Significance Remembered on the Date They Occurred Justice Stephen Field concluded:
"The constitutions of several States, in providing for
religious freedom, have declared expressly that
such freedom SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO EXCUSE ACTS OF LICENTIOUSNESS."
___
For an in depth comparison of
Political Parties-Past & Present, visit:
http://www.wnd.com/2012/06/obamacare-decision-todays-dred-scott/ Watch
Faith in History
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