The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-03-22
THE FATE OF MINORITIES.

In the North American Review for
April, Gov. Eli b. Murray, of Utah,
treats OF the existing crisis in the po-
litical fortunes of that territory. Ac
cording TO the governor, the present
method of local government there prac
tically debars the Gentiles, or non-Mor
mons, from any voice, or at least to a
very limited extent, in legislation and
participation in the emoluments and
dignities of official station. Rehecting
that the Gentiles comprise perhaps the
most intelligent part of the population,
and are besides almost as large taxpay-
ers as the MOrmons, the Governor (him-
self a Gentile) grows quite indignant
over this ill-adiusted state of affairs.
The gist of his argument (on this par
ticular point, pursued to its legiti-
mate conclusion, is that national
interference is needed to remedy this
grievance about as much as to suppress
polygamy. When one considers the
polygamous evil there can be no diver
sitv of opini u. For it there can be no
palliation, no circumstances, however
peculiar, of an eXtenuating character.
Sophistry and fanaticism are alike pow
erless to excuse it and a healthy public
opinion has decreed its abolition. The
Governors complaint about Mormon
ascendancy in local governmental
affairs, is, however, to be viewed from
an altogether different standpoint than
polygamy. What the Gentiles have to
endure in Utah is simply the fate Of the
minority IN all states or territories of
this nation. The Utah Gentle has the
right of suffrage, and is eligible to
any territorial Office, in common
with the Mormon citizen. But it is his
misfortune to be in the minority. 1t will
be concede that a very large element
of the citizens Of Vermont, and Kansas,
and Iowa are democrats, who are just
as intelligent as their republican fellow
citizens. These democrats are property
owners, too, and pay taxes. Yet to
what extent do they control the domes-
tic government of those states? Avery
limited extent, indeed To what extent
do republicans figure in the local gov
ernment of Kentucky or Texas ? Very
limited agar, because in these states
the majority is democratic. as it is re-
publican in those frst-named 1t is the
same thing all over the country, whether
in state or territory-the minority must
he ruled by the majority. But relief is at
hand for Gov. Murray and the much
abused GentiIes of Utah. They may
not outnumber and consequently out
vote the MormOns, in a fair hand-to-
hand struggle, but the national power is
about to intervene and put them IN the
majority by wholesale disfranchisement
of the Mormon voters. We have
lively remembrance Of what sweeping
disfranchisement will accomplish-for
the element that is not disfranchised
The government once did the same
thing for the republicans here in the
south. 1t was always "heads I win and
tails you lose" when a republican tossed
up the coppers. Under the drastic fea-
lures of the Edmunds bill there Will lie
an equally happy state of affairs for the
Gentiles in Utah. Gov. Murray's article
was written probably month ago. He
ought TO be happy now, in view of the
national legislation that has occurred
within the last thirty days.