The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-04-17
LOCAL sELF-GovERNMENr.

THE concession of local self-govern-
ment is not the way to sap and impair.
but to strengthen and consolidate our
unity. "-Gladstone, in his speech on
home rule for Ireland.
Among the many sound political doc
trines laid down by the great English
Commoner in his speech on home rule
for Ireland, the above is one that stands
out in bold relief. We rejoice to find
an influential English statesman grand
enough to stand up in the House Of
Commons and lay that principle down
as political doctrine. We only regret
that the principle was not recognized
before. How much blood and treasure
might have been spared had England
acted upon that principle long ago.
But the process of educating nations
as in educating individuals. is a slow
one; and advancement consists of such
minute steps that il is scarcely perceiy-
able. Let US cherish the hope that if
the progress of education is slow like
the growth of the oak, that as the oak
is Of stronger fibre than other timber by
reason of It's slow growth, so may the
advancement among the nations to-
wards better systems of govern
nent be the more enduring be-
cause the changes are gradual.
Nations are advancing. One hundred
and ten years ago few men in Eng
lands American colonies declared that,
Governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed" At
that time England raised an enraged
hand against that doctrine; but now
her nobiest and foremost Statesman
says: II ask that we should
apply to Ireland the happy
experience we have gained in
England and Scotland. where the course
Of generations has taught us, not as a
dream or theory, but as a matter of
practice and of life, that the best and
surest foundation we can build on
politically is the foundation afforded
by the affections and convictions and
will of man, and that it is thus by the
decree of the Almighty, that far more |
than by any other method, we may be
enabled to secure at once social happi- |
ness, power and permanence of the
Empire. 4"
We rejoice in seeing the nations Of the |
Old World accepting political doctrines
that are a hundred years old in |
America. because we believe those doc |
trines can best secure to mankind the
largest possible liberty. and the most
lasting security to society. Let us hope
that the acceptance and PRONUNCIATION of
these political doctrines in England
may act as an admonition to the
United States not to forsake her first
owe, but remain true TO the doctrine
Of local self government. And let US
further hope that the agitation OF this
question In the old world may lead to a
more perfect extension of that princi-
pie in the United States. until all our
Territories that are qualified to support
! State government and desire it may
'e granted the privilege of entering the
Union.
Among the Territories in the United
states desiring to assume the response
oiiity Of Statehood no other is so well
qualified to discharge those response
,ilities as Utah. No Territory can
point to a more prosperous community,
Dr. one more devoted to republican
than that inhabiting our
valleys; and yet. these many
years deaf ear has been turned to the
ust demands of Utah for admission
INTO the Union-and wLy2 Because
he motives of her people have not been
understood Alright - because their
actions have been misrepresented by
heir religious and political enemies.
But the time is coming when falsehood
will have speat Its force-when the
.ongue Of SANDER will be silenced; and
Utah viii take her place ia the sister {
hood of States. To that end let her
people. especially her young men,
ieyote their best energies.
L