Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

1858. May 25.—Went in the evening to Lord Chief-Justice Campbell’s. Impossible to convey to his learned Lordship’s head an exact idea of the limited and federate character of the Government of the United States. He insists that Congress should suppress polygamy among the Mormons. I in vain tell him that, whatever may be the power of the local Legislature, Congress has nothing to do with religious belief, domestic relations, morals, or manners. Yet I hope the President will seize the opportunity given by their rebellion to disperse a vile superstitious sect which may, if allowed to take root, poison the whole frame of our social structure.

Previous post:

Next post: