Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-06-19
POLITICS IN UTAH.

ton for the sentiment that there should
be no National politics in Utah during
the pendency of the Mormon question.
1t can discern no necessity for person |
leaving his political opinions and prefer
ences at the Territorial line any more |
than for dscarding his religious, moral or
other principles at that point. While it |
is undoubtedly true that the Mormon is |
the leading local issue, there are other
questions of National importance, discon-
nected Herewith, in which the people of
Utah are as much interested as the resi-
dents OF any other State or Territory,
and it argues badly for the intelligence,
National spirit and patriotism OF the
Gentle element that it should ig-
more all other public issues for
one upon which there is no practical
difference OF opinion in either of the po-
litical parties in any portion OF the United
States. There is, in fact, cogent reason
why National politics should be more
fully discussed and understood in Utah
than in any other section oil the Union.
There are many young men here, reared
and educated within the Mormon Church,
who, as they arrive at the age Of intelli-
gence, when their reason revolts at their
early teachings, are ready to disconnect
themselves with the political and religious
organization under which they have wor-
shipped, and which assumes the control of
their political action, provided they sufii-
ciently understand the differences between
the two parties to enable them to intelli-
gently attach themselves to the one near
est in accordance with their ideas of right.
The Mormon question will be settled at
some time; the Territory will be admit
ted as State, and these young men will
be called upon to participate in tsgovern-
ment, This they cannot do intelligently
unless they are informed upon other po-
litical matters than those pertaining to
the local issues of the Territory The
same may be said OF the young Gentle
element which is growing up around us,
and whose knowledge of political affairs
is confined to the differences, and contest
for supremacy between their own people
and the leaders of the Mormon Church.
This is narrow-gauge system upon
which to educate the rising generation of
Utah to control the destinies OF a
sovereign State. The organizations
of the two great National parties
should be maintained il only for the in
struction OF the young, to prepare them
for their future political duties when they
shall take their places as citizens and
voters in a State with similar political in
terests to those OF its sister common
wealths. A good lively political campaign,
in which the principal issues dividing the
two National parties, rs well as the local
question upon which both stand upon
common ground should be discussed,
would do more towards severing the
political connection OF young men from
the Mormon Church than all OF the argu-
ment aimed directly at that institution,
that could possibly be adduced. 1t would
show them that there other important
principles involved in our system OF gov
ernment, than that of the maintenance
or destruction OF polygamous or treason
able Mormonism, and that the latter is
equally execrated by both OF the great
National parties, as il is by the great
body OF the people OF the Nation The
discussion would excite their interest, and
naturally thereby, tend to draw them into
one or the other Of the legal organiza-
tions, where they would he beyond the
the influence or control OF their present
political masters, thus lessening the trea-
sonable, and increasing the loyal power
in tine Territory. There is an especial
reason why Democratic ticket should
be presented in Utah this Fall. Delegate
Caine processes at Washington to belong
to that party. He utilizes his pretension
to the detriment OF the loyal interest here,
and has so far imposed upon the ere.
dulity OF Democratic members OF Con-
gress as to procure his appointment as
member OF the Congressional Election
Committee for this Territory. This is an
outrage and libel, not only upon the
Democracy, but upon the entire
Gentle element OF Utah. Every one
here knows that il he has any political
preference outside OF Mormonism it is
towards the Republican party, but that
he would sacrifice the body and soul of
every member OF both that and the
Democratic party, to gain the slightest ad-
vantage for the political Church organiza-
tion which he alone represents. He is
certain to be named by John Taylor as
the Mormon candidate for reelection.
He should be opposed by Democratic
candidate, regularly nominated by a
Democratic Territorial Convention. He
will then be forced to run in opposition to
the nominee OF the party to which he
pretends to belong, and from which pre-
tension he has managed to foist himself
into position upon Democratic com
mittee, and doubtless make some politi-
cal capital for his Mormon constituents
through his false pretenses OF party fealty.
The nomination OF a straight Democratic
ticket, which he will of course oppose, will
expose his duplicity, receive the Democ-
racy OF Utah OF the odium OF his pre-
tended atfiliation, and class him politi-
cally at Washington, where he properly
belongs, as the representative OF trea-