The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-03

England States, and from whom we re
ceive much of our civilization and thu
fundamental principles of our repub
lican institutions. The exercise of thi
religious influence is neither illegal no
unconstitutional. 44F IA,
The Congress of the United State
promptly recognized the justice of gu
demands for civil government, ant
the Organic Act of the Territory o
Utah became a law, Septembe
8, 1850, and Brigham Young
the chief founder Of Utah, wa
appointed Governor Others of gu
citizens were appointed to Fedora
offices, and for time we enjoyed in
measure the sacred right of local self
government. The people of Utah pros
pered. The work of retaining tn
desert was an arduous undertaking
Irrigation necessitated engineering skill
and vast labor. We were, individual,
and collectively without capital, othe
than physical strength, industry, pa
tience, perseverance and a confiden
reliance upon Him who had led us tt
this promised land. Our labors were
rewarded beyond our expectation.
But evil days were soon to come
again. Federal officials, strangers tc
our faith, men having no interest II
common with our people, were sem
amongst us. One who disgraced the
the ermine he so unworthily wore, In
the hope of warding off tile disgrace his
misconduct merited, spread in the east
false and unfounded stories OF Mormon
disloyalty and Mormon wickedness.
The accusations were months in reach
ing the ears of the accused. The Federal
authorities acted hastily and improYi-
IDENTIFY. An army was sent to
chastise an unoffending people, to sub
due an imaginary instruction. 1t is
not necessary to dwell on the oft-told
tale The wrong meditated resulted to
our advantage. Our vindication was
complete. The army sent to lay waste
our country and punish our people,
proved a means of developing pros
perity which, but for this adventurous
circumstance, would have been delayed
many years. For while, however, the
impending calamity seemed inevitable.
A flight to the mountains was contem-
plated. The preparations for another
hegira were made. The fruits of years
of labor were doomed. The desolatlon
that reigned before we came was, so far
as man could undo what man had done,
to be resumed. But the same Provi-
dence that had watched over his chosen
people of old, did not abandon Us in this
great peril. He raised up friends and
deliverers even among our enemies.
Those evil days past, our progress was
truly wonderful, and we had much to
be thankful for. The tyranny of
small-souled Federal officials sent here
to rule over US did not hinder our
growth or check our prosperity.
The opening of the mines brought
hosts of strangers into the Territory.
These people were ignorant of our his
tory; they understood not our religion,
nor did they comprehend our social sys-
tenn. As a rule they made no investi-
CATION, but condemned us unheard.
demagogues. to accom-
plish their own selfish ends, backed by
priests and Federal officials. sought to
carry the new corners against the Nor
mons. The most outrageous. misrepre-
were heralded forth and pub
Iished broadcast throughout the coun-
try A popular sentiment was manu-
factured against our people. The
clergy took up the hue and cry, the re-
igious element was appealed to, and
hundreds of petitions, signed by thou
sands of names, were presented to Con-
gress praying for legislation to stamp
put polygamy : to crush Nor
Numerous bills drawn in
Salt Lake were forwarded. to Congress
and their immediate passage urged,
being in the estimation .Of their several
authors the only means that could save
the country from Mormon domination.
After years of effort, these agltators sue
,eeded In having Congress pass legis-
alton inimical to the people of Utah.
The bills passed were not what they
wanted. They had hoped to get laws
hat would give them the control of the
Territory, its offices and its treasures
When the Edmunds bill was passed it
vas condemned by the anti-Mormon
ing in Utah. 1t did not go far enough.
It brought trouble upon the Mormons,
,ut 1t did not help the clique of hungry
1t gave them neither
,ffice nor appropriation. Little or no
Effort was made to enforce the criminal
provision of that law till after the
election of President Cleveland. When
t was thought that all hopes of the
passage of the Legislative commission
cheme were lost, all effort had to
,e made to retain the present
Republican office-holders. They must
ender themselves indispensable to the |
country. They have sought to create a |
public sentiment in their favor, which |
would prevent tie President from re-
moving them.
How these anti-Mormon laws have
,een administered by the Federal |
officials are matters of current history. |
laws which on their face are general, |
applicable to all citizens alike, have been
O construed by commissioners and |
ourts as to render them applicable to
Iormons only. 1t is against this one
ided administration of law that we pro-
est. 1t is the wrongs which the people
f this Territory have suffered and are
till suffering, from the tyrannical con-
uct of Federal officials that we are
ere to consider. Let us proceed to
heir consideration with candor and
obriety; ever remembering that we are
american citizens and free men. not
Iayes. For myself l will say that while
respect and reverence the Constitution
nd laws of my country, while / am
eyoted to republican institutions, and
ow to the majesty of the law, my
atriotism does not require me
} eringe and bow. or do the
idding of every Federal official in our
lIdst who chooses to set up Gesler's
up. We are here in the interest of
eace, to declare our grievances and ask
" redress. We hope that our petition
Ill be listened to and our reasonable
equest granted. But if not we shall
ave done our duty, to ourselves and