Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-12-11
WASHINGTON.

Southern Confederacy '.on top"-Carlislo
Its Representatfve.-The Tarjf-The Ugly
Mermon Duestton.-The EhicIent Secre-
tary of the Interior.-Don Cameron's
PttAble Condition. Marvellous Growth of
Dakota and an Expected "boom" in
Washington.
Correspondence Of the Press and Dakotaian.
Washington, Dec. 6, 1883.-Congress
has assembled, the result OF the contest
for speakership is known to the country,
and the general expression of opinion If
that the remains of the late confederate
government. as preserved in the organlza-
ton of the democratic party at the south,
are ''on top" All of the extreme ele-
ment that could be pushed to the front
has been placed there and the public
will not have to wait long for develop
ment. Conservative democrats are
alarmed at the result and see only defeat
for their party il 1884, republicans are
correspondingly exultant and think they
see great help for their cause in what has
happened and what is expected to hap
pen. The extreme wing will want to
tear the tariff to ta.ters while the more
cautions will desire to modify" it only.
Meanwhile republicans can look on and
smile. If extreme measures are pro-
posed votes will be lost in the manu-
featuring states, and if nothing is done
as an assertion OF free trade principles
the party goes before the country under
the imputation of notwithstanding
courage to proclaim its convictions.
Ibis shuffiing policy destroys confidence
and is as fatal IN its consequences as a
proclamation of "a tariff for revenue
only" There is no way in which the
democracy can handle the tariff without
damage to their organization.
Another question faces the party which
must be met and disposed OF. and that is
polygamy; or, rather, the political power
of Mortnonism.
All Mormons are democrats, as all
rebels were democrats, and the party
does not like to be severe with it's friends.
Somehow everything that is.vile or dan.
gerous to the peace of the country grav.
ltates naturally into the democratic
party. like the offensive matter of city
seeking common sewer.
The territory of Dakota has
population enough for two
members of congress, and the ques-
tion of its admission as state will be
presented either with its present boun.
daries unshorn or in divided urea. Its
admission Will strengthen the republican
candidate for president in the electoral
college, and this advantage must be off
set by the admission of Montana. With
this will be coupled proposition by the
republicans depriving Mormons of all
political power by DISTINGUISHING them
as aIisns-they acknowledging super
lor allegiance to the chief man of the
church of latter day saint. Without
the Mormon vote Montana would not
probably, be democratic, and to admit it
as Il state with this vote eliminated would
greatly endanger their chances of sue
cess next year. They well remember
how they were deceived in Colorado in
lS16-how the perverse centennial state
voted for Hayes and saved the dynasty
when it should have voted for old Usu-
frnc.. They do not want TO take any
more such risks, and hence will argue
strenuously against depriving their Nor.
mon brother of the right of suffrage. II
Mormons were republicans it would be
quite another matter to them.
Congress can deal with Mormonism as
a political institution aud crush it, the
same as its legislation aided the military
arm in crushing rebellion, but in dealing
with its immorality the power must be
delegated to local government. of some
kind, as any other indecency or social
crime would be. Its political power is
the source of danger, as its proselyte.
are spreading from Utah into adjacent
territories. The government can sup
press disgusting Indian dances, for thes,
are public exhibitions, but the Mormo,
5 beastliness is practicea in secret. Whel
: 1t comes to dealing with it politically, O
to creating form of government for th
purpose OF suppressing it as vice, tn
democracy will find no warrant in th
= constitution for such proceedings. an,
!. with the constitutional excuse oppose
as party, what republicans first de
: nounced in national platform in 1856
q The democracy cannot be depended o.
= to legislate against any great evil, as tn
: evil doers are all democrats.
President Arthur's message is regard
ed as one of the most business like ps
n pers ever transmitted to congress. Ii
d tone is dignified and it's statement Of th
J, condition of the various affairs of th
). government, concise and clear. 1t BIS
/ added to his reputation as an executiy
?. aud demonstrated his capacity to readil
r grasp the numerous and, sometime
;, complicated questions that demand b
IS attention. He is a marked exception I
e the failures of vice presidents acting q