In a debate about Native American servitude in Utah, Orson Pratt voices opposition.
"Utah Territorial Legislature, Debate on Indian Slavery, possibly beginning 23 January 1852," Church History Department Pitman Shorthand transcriptions, 2013-2023, CR 100 912, Church History Library
shall we assume the right without the voice of Lord speaking to us and commanding us to
slavery into our territory shall we be guilty of taking our own flesh and blood though there may be curse upon
them shall we
introduce into this young and flourishing territory the states look upon us as tyrants slavery is a great evil
we would that we were rid of
this great evil and when they saw us voluntarily stretch forth hands and introduce it into a territory where it
does not exist they would blush
for shame even the slave holder would when we have the privilege of keeping it out I will admit we have the
right to introduce it here
this is not to be disputed the expediency of thing [when/n?] in situation we are legislating in capacity of
people who desire to serve God
in capacity be the most benefit to nations abroad is it not known to this honorable council the light in which
slavery is looked upon by
almost every enlightened nation or heathen they look upon it with disgust they may be individuals in those
countries that are starving to
death in their midst they look upon binding a man for life to bondage and slavery they look upon it in different
light from what
many others look upon it they consider it one of worst of evils do not we wish to have influence among them
for the sake of their
salvation we wish to find access to parts of Europe to first men of Europe and be the means in the hands of
Almighty to bring them
to the knowledge of truth we believe is not this our desire and intention where in can be expedient for us to
suffer slavery to come
into this territory when we can vote it would not be and sign to keep it out why it would give us a greater
influence among the other nations of earth
and by that means slave save them shall we hedge up the way before us by introducing this abominable slavery
no my
voice shall be against it from this time until the bill shall pass if you are determined to pass it I look for the
welfare of
nations abroad that have who will never hear the gospel of Jesus Christ if we make a law upon this subject I
know their feelings
upon this subject I have conversed with them many nations upon the subject of slavery and I do know their
hearts are bound against it Paul ceased
off eating meat because he desired the salvation of his brethren shall we not desire the slavery of
inhabitants of Great Britain and inhabitants
of world so much as to keep slavery out of our midst [whereas?] no slaves come in our state or territory in a
[--?]
I venture to say all the Negroes come here never have power in this territory to that degree make our laws reach
after them and feel
after them and take hold upon the same as every other citizen come here in this territory but idea of making
one man accountable for another
by bonding him 2000 dollar [bonds?] some thing I do not believe in and should not [passing?] a legislative
assembly that make
the pretentions as we do as a people if black man comes into this territory and transgressing those laws we
can make him
smart for it and we must be weak and poorly indeed if we cannot make the law to bear upon all that come in
here
if we are commanded by the Higher Power by the Almighty to inflict the curse upon the poor outcasts of
Cain
justified in doing Israel the Lord had commanded them to destroy the Canaanites from the land certain
nations came
up from a far country with a lie in their mouths and their lives was forfeited they had been commanded to
destroy those nations a
covenant was made by the higher authorities of Israel found they were they their neighbors did not destroy
them but placed them in slavery for instance
we will take these Africans it is not because of the sins [of the] present race of Africans they are damned to
slavery sins of fore
fathers the same as poverty and distress is bequeathed to the generations of drunkard it comes upon them in
that light very well shall we take
then the innocent African that has committed no sin and damn him to slavery and bondage without receiving
any authority from heaven to do that they and
their children shall be servants to us and our children the idea is preposterous in my mind and I feel most
indignant when I think
that we as a new territory after we ourselves have been damned to slavery in states but came out here to enjoy
the religious for us
to bind the African because he is different from us in color enough to cause the angels in heaven to blush let
me
my garments be clear from this Mr. President