The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-07-02
"a MATTER OF POLICY. ,
M not % individuAlI.

80 slight hope for fuckers bill rests
IN the fact that IL may be q matter OF
policy Tor the Democrats TO consider II
this session"
Such are the words in a special tele-
gram from Washington to a local paper,
in relation to the latest attempt to stife
liberty in Utah, now pending in the
Congress # the United States. The
words are few and simple, but they set
forth a truth, sad as it is disgracefui,
which is becoming more apparent every
day in regard to politics the world over,
and particularly in this boosted land of
freedom and equal rights.
There was a time, perhaps, when
a proposition to strangle religious
liberty and place whole COM
munity of peaceable, industrious
people under the feet of a rapa-
cious ring of Adventures, to be robbed
and trampled on with impunity,
would have been taken up, if
at all, on its merits. And the proba-
bility is that instead Of being favorably
considered, as this outrageous measure
has already been in committee, and
threatens to be in Congress. 1t would
have met with the scorn, bathing and
contempt which it deserves.
Blu alasl we are living a hundred
years later than such probabilities. The
wheels Of progress have been turned
backward several centuries in some re-
spects. the demagogue and politician
have largely superseded the statesman
and the patriot, and what was once done
for pure principles sake is now done
in almost every instance as "a matter
Of policy"
"oh, what q fall was there, my
countrymenT exclaimed the Roma
Antony over the angled corpse
of Cesar, slain by assassins. Might
not some American patriot echo with
far deeper meaning those wailing words
over the dagger-pierced body of the
goddess of iberty7 The assassination
O; the foremost man in all the world
was defended by its perpetrators on the
ground Of patriotism and the love of
country. And so, now, would those
who are crying loud~-t for the destruc-
ton of liberty il Utah-aye and
throughout the world, for it is the
match that kindles the nine-endesyor
to excuse themselves and justify their
homicidal, suicidal course on the plea
of doing evil that good may come"
We sincerely hope thstthe Democrats
referred to in the telegram above
quoted, are made Of sterner and better
stuff than the realization Of such an
opinion concerning them would prove
them to be. We trust that the Tucker
Edmunds monstrOsity viii meet with
the iguolninious fate /, deserves; that
there is sufficient real patriotism left in
the hearts of American CDngressmen 20
put an effectual quie:us on treason
masqaersding as patriotism. wherever
II asserts itself.
But If not, and the event shows that
in the minds of the majority of our
statesmen and would-b be. thought lov-
ers of liberty, the best way to serve
their country is TO pave the
way for its destruction, then let
rs hope that it will not be mere policy
that will govern them, but that their
murderous act against the cause of
freedom and human rights Will at least
have the merit Of sincerity. For the
love Of heaven do not let hypocrisy and
crime Join hands and dance together
over Ghe grave of American liberty