The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-12-31
THE CLUB PLATFORM.
A Fledgling Democrat Criticises
the Document.
no the Editor OF THE HERAIp.

The Democratic Club of Utah, as I
understand it, has for its object the
promotion of interest in political affairs,
and the free discussion of all issues
affecting the public welfare.
The projectors of the organization,
learning of the blunder of earlier en-
terprises, have Illuminated declaration
of principles, based on a broader plat
form than the Liberal" radicals, who
have heretofore essayed to rival the
Peoples " party, but being to some
slight extent under the influence Of bad
examplef our Democratic friends seem
to have expressed themselves in rather
questionable manner regarding local
political topics. While | am fully con-
vInced that there never was more ear
nest and honest coterie of politicians
than the Club mentioned, 1T may be
that in all things they are not entirely
diplomatic.
Regarding the platform, it would not
be preSumptious to say, that little
more care in construction would have
proven beneficial; that is to my mind.
Of course l will not attempt to speak
or think for any one else, and yet claim
to be Democrat. / will endeavor briefly
to refer to few points in the platform,
which while they may be necessary and
even entirely appropriate, do not to me
appear.
In section three, the platform tells US
that "a trust is developed upon every
citizen, after informing himself upon
any question of policy or government.
to act, politically, as his best individual
ID = hcO toll
from coercion, control, or dictation, &C.
clesiastical or otherwise. While the
State has given a constitutional pledge
not to interfere with religion, there is a
reciprocal obligation on the part of re-
ligiOn not to interfere with the State.
Now this is clear, explicit, cOmprehen-
sive, and Democratic, or at least, it
seems so to me.
Section four says, Politically, all
men are created free and equal, the
priest and the layman must stand upon
the same plane. Therefore, we reafirm
that the affairs of church and State
ought to, and must, be forever separate
and distinct, locally and nationally Is
not this redundancy? The language of
the previous section appears to tell all
this, in perfectly satisfactory manner,
and if it expresses the idea, wherein lies
the necessity or repeating.
Section eight, assures the political
world'That we firmly repudiate the idea
that any citizen is under obligation to
take his political counsel from those
whose avowed purpose is a continual
violation of law" Why is this ungainly
and entirely undiplomatic Reputation
made thus to jostle the even tenor Of
the declaration?
1t being granted that "a trust is de-
volved upon every citizen after inform
ing himself upon any question of policy
or government to act, politically, as his
best individual judgment would direct,
absolutely free from coercion, control
or dictation, ecclesiastical or other
wise" how can the addition of the later
clauses add either strength or dignity to
the platform?
A man who accepts the comprehen-
sive obligation Is section three, has no
more use for the remaining references
TO the same feature of political faith
than he has for an ecclesiastical dicta-
tor. 1t would appear to be difficult to
give substantial reasons for the presence
of sections four and eight in the plat
form, but it does not strain logic to
show why they should be stricken out,
because:
First-TheY are OF no use whatever,
being mere Tepetitions of previous as
severations, and therefore an encum
brance, indeed an insight = excrescence,
whose prominence mars the sightlinesS
of the platform.
SecOnd-Like unnecessary spikes used
in the construction of wooden plat
forms, they do more harm than good,
and always tend to bring about a split.
Third-In consideration of their ap-
parent inutility. they have q suspicious
appearance, which detractS from the
general excellence of the document,
and leaves many broad and indepen-
dent thinkers in doubt as to whether it
was the intention of the trainers of the
declaration to offend them or not, con-
veying as these extraneous affirmations
do, an implication of the intelligence or
of men, whose influence and
association it should be the pleasure of
the club to acquire,
These reflections are thus crudely,
though deferentially, cast, for the pur-
pose of eliciting thought upon the sub
ject, and if there be no reason shown
for the retention of these doubtfully
valued clauses, why would it not be
well for the club to renounce them. |
when present in the coming mass meet /
ing, on the 8th of January next? Quite /
4 number would like to know /
FLEDGLING.