Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-03-02
erening 2emutrat,
As to This Paper.

Ao 10 lulh EdpeFs
The new journal is designed to be an
active exponent of the Democratic pfinci-
pie of self-government It is believed
that government of the people and by
the people" will be as effectual to right
the wrongs of Utah as it has been to cor
rect the evils existing in other communi-
ties. We do not assert that 'ethe voice of
the people is the voice OF GoD, but we do
claim that the judgment OF all the people,
expressed without fear or restraint, and
as the result of continued and free discus
sion, is better than the Judgment of any
one man or of any combination OF men.
That Utah has wrongs to remedy is
everywhere confessed. Our Territory is
under the ban of an adverse national
judgment, The American people, in
various political and reformatoTy assem-
blages, through the press and through
Congress, have taken cognizance Of our
10 al affairs, and have rendered verdict
.tgainst us. We are held to be living in
defiance of law; it is charged
that our ways are in conflict with the
principles adopted by civilized people;
and that we have so surrendered our
judgment to self-elected ecclesiastical
rulers that we are, practically, not free
people. We can not be heard to claim a
ju recognition of our boundless material
resources, because men say that no ex-
cellence of climate and no abundance of
opportunities for wealth are sufficient to.
excuse good citizen for living in Utah and
doing as Utah people do.
Now whether we admit or deny the
charges against the people of Utah,
fair regard for the judgment of mankind
should impel us to give consideration to
the criticisms made. Every man should
decide for himself, with due regard to his
responsibility to his country and his Gre
ator, whether these charges are true. The
rights and duties of citizenship are con-
ferred upon 1ndividuals-not upon com
panies, or churches, or corporations. No
citizen is worthy of the ballot who per-
mits any other citizen or any combination
of citizens, to dictate the nature of that
ballot.
Hence the SALT LAKE DEMOCRAT starts
20 advocate that which its founders
to be almost unknown, or at least !
It unanimously waived in Utah |
h, Free Ballots, and Free
I'VE believe that neither
INT local church, nor any
other church or combination; nor the 4
commands of the national govern
ment, should direct the affairs of this
commonwealth but that rather the peo--
pie, combining upon the basis of Demo-
cratic principles, should bring Utah into
line with the age in which we live. Even
though we may have to disavow associa-
tions dear to us, and give up practices We
have been taught to believe We're in har-
mony with Divine laws, still for the
honor of our country and the happiness of
our children, let us become obedient TO
law-let the fetters of prejudice be
taken off of judgment, and the sober, sec
ond thought prevail.
For what the DEMOCRAT will have to
say in this new presentation of old prin-
ciples, we ask a careful hearing. 1t is
asserted that the differences in Utah are
irreconcilable; we do not believe it. With
boundless charity and great patience we
shall begin this struggle for reform and
union; we believe there is patriotism
enough in Utah to insure success; and |
though the battle be so long that our
children Sqd not ourselves shall celebrate
the end, still because this way is the |
way of justice, we must turn neither to
the right or to the left, but set our faces
toward the sun. y