Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-03-05

D0 siNon W InOSe rulerSI In this country
Inere have been many parties that
nave been organized, existed for a while
anu passed away. The Democratic
party was founded by Jefferson about the
beginning OF the present century on the
principle that the individual has the
iignt ana the power to govern himself and
ms DUTY to do so, and it has been
TINS princlpie that has enabled the Dem
oclaIic party 10 survive so many success
I've I've defeats. The Democratic party be-
lleve tnat where the people are, there
GAists Iile foundation OF government.
Inc vast area OF territory embraced by
the Louisiana purchase and Mex
ican treaty. would never have
been acquired had it not
been for the theory of local self COW
eminent: Nobody would have thought
it possible to govern so much territory if
the rest OF the government remained at
Washington.
There has never been an organization
of the Democratic party in Utah, I do
not forget that there is an Organization
known as the
DEMOCRATIC CENTR AL COMMITTEE.
but what have the gentlemen of this
committee done? They seem to think
1t part of their business to
promulgate platforms, but the
Democratic party believes that is the
business of the people. Another thing
they undertake to do is to Judge who
shall and who shall not be Democrats.
The theory of the Democratic party is
that this should be left to the individuals
themselves, and they do not accord to
any set OF men the right to say who shall
and who shall not be Democrats
81 have not forgotten that there exists
in this Territory what is called the
PEOPLES PARTY.
This party has never taught the princi-
pies of self-governnment, but has always
advocated local government. You
have had localgovernment here
in Utah, but never, since
can remember, have you had self
government [Applause.l The principle
of local self government is just as much
violated by submission of the govern
ment to one man or ten men as if the seat
| of government were 10000 miles away.
Therefore, | say you have had local gov
eminent in Utah, but you have not had
self-government. What we want YOU to
do, and what you ought to do, is to see
that you have self-government That
you do not submit it to anyone else to
say how you shall be governed.
After dwelling on the Liberal party at
some length, Mr.. Sheeks continued:
''Do we need a change in Utah? Are
our social and political affairs in good
condition? '
A Voice-Not very.
Mr.. Sheeks-I am told that if a
stranger appears in any of the outlying
settlements, if he is only peddler, you
will Immediately see runners going in
every direction and everywhere, to tell
some one that some one has come to
town. Iaughter.) l am also told that
at a certain school, further south than
this city, guards are kept on the watch,
and the scholars, when a stranger APP
pears on the scene, Immediately notify
the principal. Do you wish your children
reared as towards and sneaks, afraid to
stand face to face with any stranger? 1t
is your duty to see that they are not
brought up to bear the same yoke of OPP
preston that is now being borne. Con-
tinued applause.
''The question of polygamy has ceased
to be, If it ever was, religious question,
and has become a political question and
a serious one to this Territory, and pro-
pose to speak of it few minutes as
such. The people are told that the Al
mighty commands it, and it is their duty
to obey. l presume the leaders OF the
Peoples Party do not expect to stand
higher before the Infinite than the apos
ties of our Savior, and yet he did not tell
them it was necessary to have more wives
than one. But they do not all say it is
necessary to obey this command.
The head of the church does
not say So He has set himself up as an
example, by compliance with the laws,
according to his own ords. The speaker
here read an extract from one of Taylor's
sermons, published in the Deseret NegS.l
The editors of this paper some times say
| that this law must be obeyed; that you
cannot gain exaltation, or whatever it may
be, without it, but Presidedt Taylor does
not say so. What is more funda-
mental principle OF government than
obedience to the law, and President
Taylor also tells you that whenever you
tamper with the fundamental principles
of government you become bad citizen
that you ought not to do it." Applause.
MIR. A. BRUCE TAYLOR
was the next speaker. He was embar
raised by Interruptions from the audience
at the outset, which caused him to say he
would commence with subject he had
intended to bring in last and therefore
commence where Mr.. Sheeks left off. In
regard to polygamy, he believed for years
that the law against it was uncOnstitu- |
tional, but when the decision of the
! Supreme Court was rendered he accepted
! it. The constitution OF the United States
itself could not declare that unconstitu-
tional which its own referee had decided
was constitutional.
MIR. TAYLOR alluded in the most scath-
ing terms to those who, while processing
to obey the law OF God, when
brought to trial, had not the manliness
to acknowledge it and were. unwilling to
take the national consequences. The
speaker thought that such men would be
and should be damned. He did not think
that anv Mormon could claim much
credit or honor for himself for taking
such course.
Mr.. Taylor then said he would com
mence where he had originally intend
ed to.
.'This is an occasion in which we can
all rejoice. The bitterness OF old sec
tional questions has been done away with
and the old bloody shirt that used to be
Haunted to every breeze
A voice-"Give us something new"
Mr.. Taylor have given you some
thing new already [Laughter.l l think
that a Democratic rule will bring the