Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1882-09-29

y, Ada, tine capital county,) Alturas,
Containing the Wood River country,
and Lemhi, (Salmon river country, J
withdrew in a body aud refused lon
ger to honor the convention even with
their presence. With these twelve
delegates out Of the way, there were
but twenty-three members left to vote
on the nomination, so that but one
vote was necessary to be added to the
eleven ecclesiastical representatives to
give the Mormon nominee a majority
of those present, which was easily OBJ
tanned; the remaining Gentiles from
the other counties seeing thelnseive es
in minority wheeled into line aud
for "harmony's sake" the nomination
was then made unanimous according
to the most approved Mormon Confer
ence rules of unanimty. As fitting
climax to this entertaining ceremony
after obeying the dictates of law.de-
flying Mormon missionaries from Utah,
and surrendering all control to dis
tlanchiscd polygamous delegates the
following clause was inserted in the
platform with all apparent serious
ness. "That the Constitution guaran-
tees perfect freedom in religious be-
lief and accords to every citizen the
right to worship God according to the
dictates OF his own conscience, yet we
are unalterably opposed to any prac-
tices, religious or otherwise that COLI
travene the letter or spirit of the Con-
stltution of our common country aud
the laws made in pursuance thereof"
The solemn faces of the delegates
broadened into susceptible grin as
this transparent clause was adopted,
though some moved little uneaslly
in their seats as they wondered how
this could be reconcied with the ac-
tions of their politicians in the Legis-
lature, conventions and elsewhere, or
with the manifesto published under
sanction Of the Democratic Central
Committee less than two years ago,
part of which was in the following
words: $50 long as the upholders of
Mormonisn maintain an organization
in unison with the Constitution, Con-
gress can neither disfranchise nor a
Republican President destroy them by
force of arms loud howls to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. * x The
Mormons vote the Democratic ticket
because it is their right to do SO, and
because they endorse the everlasting
principles OF democracy; and it is the
right Of the party to receiUe and ITS du-
ty to defend them" (See Boise City,
Idaho, Democrat, Dec. 8, lSs0.)
While the action of this Mormon
Convention is enough to overwhelm
with modification every right think
ing man and sincere well wisher of
the Territory, it is gratifying to note
that the representatives from the most
important counties entered their pro-
test in the way that they did. The
Mormon Bourbons may congratulate
themselves ON their victory, and lind
what consolation there may be in it.
Honorable Democrats like Frank En-
sign, John NJ. Cannady, Charles HIM
rod and |. n. Coston may be OF little
use TO the scheming demagogue, but
they enjoy the respect, confidence ana
esteem of all who know them, lrres-
pective of party, and while the sect OF
Ainslieite Mormons may chuckle at
their success in virtually excluding
the votes of these men from the con-
vention, they will find their victory
dearly bought. The feeling engen-
dered is of such bitterness that the