Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-04-23
pREsUMpTUoUs CLAIM.

The Church papers and speakers lay
great stress upon the fact that their peo-
pie first settled this Territory, and claim
as sequence their exclusive right to run
the government to suit themselves, re-
gardless OF the rights of others, or the
provisions of the Constitution or Federal
laws. In any other State or Territory
such an audacious claim would appear too
ridiculous for serious reference, and there
is certainly no section under the Ameri-
can flag where the pioneers are entitled
to less consideration from those who came
after them than here in Utah. While
there is no disposition to detract one par
ticle from the credit due to the first Nor
mon settlers for their hardy enterprise,
thrift and industry, it by no means fol-
lows that they, their descendants or
European reinforcements, have super
ior political rights in II Territory
belonging to the United States and
free to settlement and habitation by
every one who wishes to take up his or
her abode here. That they have made
the deser. to blossom as the rose, which
they often and persistently aver, is a
poetic license which is not justified by
the facts, for Utah was never, in the true
sense of the word, an arid waste, neither
is it to-day blooming or blossoming like
the floral variety embodied in the smile.
The Mormon claimants TO political rule
and prestige by right OF priority, entirely
ignore the circumstances which forced,
rather than induced them to pitch their
tents on this eastern rim of the great
basin. Driven by their lawless and un-
holy acts and practices out OF the pale of
civilization, they took refuge in the
wilderness, and chance led them to this
fertile valley, then portion OF the Mex
ican domain. They did not come here
inspired by the commendable spirit of
enterprise and progress which causes the
typical American pioneer to push on be-
yond the borders and open the path for the
advance of civilization. They came
rather as refugees, to bury themselves
beyond the great mountainous barrier
and for the purpose of indulging unmo-
Tested in those practices not tolerated in
Christian communities nor sanctioned by
the laws and customs of any civilized
nation. That many hardshps we're en-
dured and difficulties overcome is readily
admitted, but not more than are usual
in the settlement OF all new countries, by
people whose condition has been amelio-
rated by time and increased population,
and who do not claim exclusive or SUI
perior political rights because OF their
priority OF residence. had the Mormons
never invaded this Territory, it would to-
day be more thickly populated, and by
better class OF people. More Of its land
would be under cultivation, its mines
further developed there would be more
and better schools, more colleges and
other institutions of learning, science and
art. There would be more cul
ture, refinement, better morals and
everything else which comprise the ag-
gregate OF civilized progression. The
Territory would be peopled by loyal
population, who would obey the laws Of
the United States, and its statutes would
be in harmony with those OF the General
Government. There would be no con-
flict between the Federal and local
officers, and everything would be running
peacefully and prosperously, as in other
States and Territories. More would have
been accomplished in decade than dur
ing the thirty-nine years it has struggled
under the infiiction OF Mormon rule,
and the burdensome influence of lecher-
Gus and reasonable Church and State
organization. II requires but glance at
the history OF its sister Territories to ver-.
ify the truth OF these statements. With
less than hall the natural resources, some
of them have in half the time shot far
ing valid claims for promotion to
the rights and privileges OF State
hood. And yet these hamperers OF
progress claim exclusive political control
because OF the advancement which has
been made not by, but despite OF their
efforts. They insolently notify the loyal
people, who compose the minority, if
they do not like their institution that they
can leave the Territory. That is pre-
cisely what the latter do not propose to
do. They have the right to remain here,
and the right to be protected by the
General Government against the AFRO
gance and abuses OF their reasonable die
tators. They propose to assist in the
regeneration OF the Territory instead Of
abandoning it, and the so often suggested
alternative will not be accepted. The
Territory was acquired by their fathers,
is part OF their National heritage, and
the Americans OF Utah regard il us a
sacred duty TO rescue it from the control
OF those who have so long conducted its
local government in opposition to the
letter and spirit OF the Constitution and
in conflict with the Federal laws.