Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-07-18
ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT,

We are free to admit that in these days
platforms have not, among intelligent peo-
pie, the force they once had. They have
come to be largely mere evasionS on those
topics upon which party should be declar-
atory and emphatic. There are some sub
iects upon which either of the great parties
feel perfectly safe in positiveness-as, for
instance, the Republican party is confident
it cannot go wrong in declaring in favor of
equal rights to ali citizens, meaning espec-
tally thereby that the negro citizens of the
South shall be guaranteed the free exercise
of the elective franchise. The Democracy
feels equally sure of itself i'll its appeal to its
partisans in pronouneing cmphatically
against any encroachmcnts by the Federal
Government upon the reserved rights of
the States. Republicans speak with dis
tncyness upon the question of civil service
reform, and quite as positively the Democ-
racy asserts that for twenty-four years the
Republicans have been Systematically en-
gagged in robbing the public treasury and
corrupting national morals But there are
among all the shallow waters and evasions
Of platforms some things that are signifi-
cant in the silence Of the documents For
instance, the National Republican Conven-
ton of June distinctly declared that, "a 1t is
the duty of Congress to enact such laws as
shall promptly and effcctually suppress the
system of polygamy within our Territories,
and divorce the political from the ecclesias-
teal power of the so-calcd Mormon
Church; and that the laws so enacted
should be rigidly enforced by the civil
authorities if possible, and 10y the military,
if need be- But we search the plat
form OF the Democratic National
Convention of July in vain for any decla-
ration against polygamy. We are not say
ing that the necessity existed for the Re
publicans TO have declared upon the sub
party would ever express itself as favorable
TO the continuance or fostering of the
twin evil But when the Democracy OF
the nation in council assembled dcliber-
ton of polygamy. with the declaration of
the opposing party staring it in the face
it is especially significant. 1t means that
the Democrats are looking forward TO the
time when they shall be admitted to tic
Union and present two Senators at the Ma
tional Capital II will he better for the
party that they should be Democratic Sen
atorS, and hence the Convention, with q
foresight that does credit to its cunning
remains silent upon Mormon polygamy,
trusting to the presumption being enter
tanned that it is OF course opposed to plural
marriage and at the same time giving the
Saints in Utah quiet nudge and wink, as
much as to say, See. We are not manacled
on the question of the admission of Utah
by any direct pledge regarding the re
vealed rite It is not, therefore. at all sur
prising TO find She Descrct Hcvs, the organ
of the pelygamic branch of the Mormon
Church, and one of whose editors is Geo.
Q. Cannon, as shrewd Il political Saint as
the Church has, indorSing the platform
saving that it is sound and steady oRe,'
and also approving the nomination Of
Cleveland and dcnouncing that of Blaine
Ii is just what was to have been expected.
The Democracy always has been house of
refuge for rebels, aud the polygsmous Nor
mons of Utah lack very little of deserving
the title The Republican party is to nc
congratulated in having stirred up den of
beasts, though the act would appear TO
have added one more infamy to the Mormon
system, since it has sealed to itself another
wife for time and etcrnity-the Democracy.
The country may know now precisely what
10 expect Of a Democratic Congress if the
party is in power and Utah knocks for adj
mission TO the family of States-she viii be
taken in, extra wives, concubineS and all.
THERE is a threat that Sarah Aithea Hill
Sharon will so upon the stage. Now, for all our
sins, kind providence, let the cholera come. and
the yellow fever spread abroad If they viii save
Us from this lRtes; and most grieYous afiipiion.