The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-08-23
'LET Us HAVE PEACEr'

Among all the eulogies that were
passed upon the late lamented Grant
there were none better calculated to
draw out the pathos of the speaker, Oh
enlist the tenderest sympathy of the
audience than when, after the fratricida
strife was over, and the bitter conflict
ended; when the North, though vic.
torious, was smarting under the more
than terrible effects of the war; when
they had their opponents powerless. as
1t were, at their feet; when ii was in
their power, as is customary under such
circumstances, to indemnify them.
selves as conquerors. for the disastrous
effects of the war; and when many in
| f1uential Statesmen urged that the same
be done; it was then that the noblest
trait in the life of the victorious General
! shone forth in that ever memorable ex.
preston, when in highness of heart he
assumed the role of brother and Of
friend to the whole nation at large in
exclalming: LET us have peace. v
Such expressions, upon such oc,
caslons, are more than manly, they are
the scinhllations from the fire of Deity
and here, in all due reverence. let US
repeat: BLESSED are the merciful, for
they shall obtain mercy"
When Saxon Harold expired upon the
| English Coast, he prayed that his spirit
might be diffnsed among his co1ntry.
men, to be within them an unconquered
power for freedom and the right, and
from no nation under heaven since
that time has sprung more daring,
venturous~ and valiant souls, than from
among his countrymen. May not the
spirit that actuated Grant. not to wreak
vengeance on his fallen foe, but to make
peace, be disseminated among his
countrymen; or, let US ask the question,
Are the Grants all dead? Let us hope
not.
The nation is now at peace, friendly
relations exist with all the powers oil
earth. Its credit stands pre-enninent. The
Golfers of the rich are filled with treas
ure. The full round sheaves smile back
upon the husbandman his full reward
of toll. The sheep and kline in untold
numbers Craze the praries and the hills,
and manufacturing centres are receiving
glad promises of activity, giving en-
couragement to the marts of trade. Yet
among all this abundant prosperity and
peace there is one small spot where
trouble seems to cumulate. The only
vexed question in the government to-
day seems to be the Mormons in Utah.
Dare not some valiant soul among the
10000, GOO in the land stand forth and
qIlell the unequal strife now going on,
by shaming back those who are seeking
TO incarcerate in prison cells the Nor
mon few. by exclaiming as Great Grant
did at the close of thewar. to those who
sought revenge. Let US have Peace?"
The answer quickly comes, in sharp,
punctiilious tones: 1.-The Morrnons are
rebellious! Foes to the government!
Sensual, immoral, everything. that's
basel The nations skeleton that can
not be closeted"
Such are the common accusations
made against the Mormons. Great
God! to think that in this
age OF light and reason, in
this land of broad views and liberal
ideas, in land where men have dared
to draw aside the heavy draperies of
superstition, and brush down the dusty
cobwebs of tradition. inNorder that the
light of heayen might penetrate the
minds OF educated congregations, that
here in free America. among the ad-
vanced guards of civilization and i'm
proyement, to so warp the common
law OF the land as to persecute to the
death a people for their religious con-
yictions, is what we least expected.
In heavens name, what is rebellion?
Where, where is the sensuality and
lust? Can it be rebellion in Christian
nation to follow the example of the
Patriarchs of old, to raise healthy and
industrious progeny? 1t might be re-
garded as sensual to add woman I'M
der some circumstances to a mans
family, but never under the sanctified
and honorable appellation of wife and
the mother of his children. SensuaIity
is induced in bar rooms and saloons,
and eliminates in brothels and houses
of ill-fame, and not among the tillers OF
the soil, the toil-stained workmen, eS-
pecially, if they have families to work
for and support.
Shake off the spell, you intelligent
Americans, that induces you to perse-
cute n laboring community. Rouse
Yourselves and look upon this people as
they really are. Forbear, for your. own
souls sake, forbear to raise your hands
against people VINO are too much en-
crossed in the stern realities of life to
indulge in debauchery and licentious
ness, and as thinking, reasonable Chris
tan men, pause ere you strike blows
that may rebound with ten-fold ven
geance, and bear in mind the warning
of Him whose servants you profess to
he. LET him who is without sin cast
the first stone"
Help to quelI the bitter amnesty
against God fearing community, and
in the language of the illustrious dead,
LET us have peace. PILGRIM.
August 20, 1885.