The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-12-30

North Platte of $40.
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4 CHICAGO journal, as will be seen
by reference to the HERALD's tele-
grams, this morning, has been edi-
toriasly speaking OF Hon. A. A. saE-
gent, OF California, the comment
being called forth by letter written
TO a local contemporary By the gentle
man named. The Chicago editor
somewhat severely criticiz:s Mr..
Sargent. Other journalists will,
doubtless, do the same thing. He
has invited it, and opened the door
for a deserved scoring, provided the
newspapers deem HIM of sufficient
importance to justify an assault. In
Mr.. Sareent's letter there was nothing
in particular said that any person
occupying position similar to the
place hvli by Mr.. sargent might not
say. He simply Neutrality-suspicious.
with more vehemence anu greater
poiutsdnes than is consistent with
his past course-thst he is opposed
to certain features OF Mormonism,
that he had never defended in Con-
gress, or outolit. the Mormon leao ers
or their practices, that his ideas as TO
the best method. :, for settling ,the
problem were nol.tlike those OF the
hot-headed class, and tia. be favored
moderation, good example and the
gradual curing of what he deems
evils, through the ballot box, rather
than by violent measures and perse-
cutien. He realizes that the Mormon
question is q religious one, and
that the members Of tbs church are
sincere, and refers to history to gus
tain him IN the virtual adoption oflhe
sentiment that the blood OF the
martyrs is the seed of the church. p"
Wherein MIR. Sargent injured himself
was in tina! be wrote any letter to Cur
contemporary. There was no occa- |
sion for him 10 write or.say anything
to the newspaper, II is notorious that !
for years the journal'has assailed Mr..
attacking his honor. his in
telligence and even bis personal mo-
Tslity in severest terms. and all be-
cause OF his manly course iUSS<Vssh-
ton in dealing with a questIonNthat h
had puzzled the wisest state men OF |
t so generations. During those y5srs l
the gentleman maintained u discreet
and manly silence concerning the I
newspaper assaults. He had too J
much self-respect and too high re. y
gard for personal dignity to stoop to T
kick at the ours that snapped at his .
heels. He understood then that the
attacks could not hurt him, for he
Fas right in the course he was pur- A
suing, and honest as g wise legislator y y
laws for the beet good. Does c
be TOW want Us to consider that be Il
regards his former conduct as wrong z
and ill-sdvissdf He says not, but the i
fact that be has written q Lalt-orawI. v
ing, bsliiustifyiog letter. and re.
Iuested its publication, implies that ;
le wants to be looked upon as ''going =
Jack" on himself and hi5 past record. ~,
BE at least eats a large size piece b,
If humble pie, and iawningly hicks "
he hand that has chsstened him.
This is how the thing looks to us, and L
now it will be regarded by that portion VI
If the public VINO take interest in the
gentleman. Why DID :,
lot Mr.. Sargent explain" to our
contemporary years ago when bis ex- il
)lanation would have counted for p
onething? Why does be take such u
,ains to explain at this time, and
q doing so, go cut OF his way to say n
hings that had better been left uD-
aid? The pretense that he wants to - -
lace himself right before the Utah tig
ientiles is far-letched. It will not th
lold water Mr.. Sargen: knows that He
10 cares no more for the Utah Gen GO
lies to day than he did halts-dozen la
ears sgo, if indeed. he cares as Or
much. He knows they are less infiu- Gil
initial in the nation now than they u
lave been at any time within a l.,
.ecade, snd understands that their
opposition to the Mormon Church is WI
lot nearly so united or potent to-day u
Is it was a few years ago. The news. !,
,aper organ which hs endeayors to
onciliate has said very little concern. 70,
ng Mr.. Sargent for couple of years Gil
last, hence there was small occasion
or him to revive a comparatively b
subject. All these eircum-
taaces indicate very plainly motive ~,
n the part OF Mr.. Sargent other than NJ
.ppears on the -snrlsoe. WHAT that
motive is it is not difficult to divine.
His name has been mentioned as
kelly to be fsvorably considered for We
cabinet position in the coming l. ov
ninistration, and We fear the gentle 10
mans ambition has led him into the 20
rror of indulging in 8 little dema- NJ
ogism. Witnessing the little furry ST.
aused by Mr.. Hayes message, he TO-
nay imagine he sees in the n ear fu- a. a.
ure an anti-Mormon storm, in which 81
viii be unpopular and fatal to the To-
iopes OF political aspirsnts to be 81
ound in advocacy Of even justice and
eason 10 the treatment of the relig- co
ous problem Of the country, JnlW