Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-06-26
POLITICAL POLICY IN UTAH.

ply to one from the same locality which
appeared i'm these columns q few days
ago. The DEMOCRAT is pleased to notice
that the subject is receiving the attention
it deserves from members OF the party, |
and will cheeriully afford ample facilities |
for its discussion by the publication OF all
well-written communications bearing up |
on it, whether its own views coincide |
with those expressed by its correspon-
dents or not. While the general tenor OF
the letter of "Gentile Democrat" was in
harmony with what we conceive to be
the proper course for the Democracy OF
Utah to pursue, there were portions OF it
which failed to meet our approval. The
DEMOCRAT is certainly not in favor oi
running distinctive local tickets in sec
tions where the chances OF victory over
the Church-andState candidates are
lessened by SO doing. Itwould not advo-
cate the party nomination OF Delegate
to Congress, when the probability CT
the nominees election was less than
would be that OF Gentle candidate,
whether Democratic or Republican, de-
signated by the representatives OF the
united anti-Mormon element. When any
result favorable to the Gentle cause can
be accomplished, or there is reasonable
prospect for it by temporarily ignoring
party lines, it shonld be done, for the
political supremacy Of the Mormon
Church must be overcome before the
principles Of either Democracy or Repub-
licansm can locally prevail. The Demo-
cRAT, however, contends that it is neither
wise, necessary, polite or just for the
Democracy Of Utah to fail to maintain
their organization, or to permit the in
famies Of Mormonism to cause them to
ignore or forget those National principles
which are cherished by their brethren
elsewhere, and which sooner or later are
bound to become the leading issues here
as in other sections of the Union. Nothing
more antipodal could possibly be con-
ceived than Democratic and Mormon
political theories and practices, and the
supremacy OF the former will effectually
wipe out the last vestige of the latter.
How the maintenance of such an organ
ization, the advocacy OF its principles, or,
upon proper occasions, the distinctiveness
OF its action, can initiate against opposi-
tion to polygamous and reasonable Nor
monism, is beyond our powers OF imagin-
alton. Neither can we appreciate the
sincerity OF professed Democrat and
friend Of the Gentle cause who considers
the upholding of the principles of his
party q barrier 10 such local reformation
as is necessary to effect the desired po-
litical change in the Territory. Our Park
City correspondent of to-day alludes to
the consolidated action OF the Gentiles
in that Assembly district which resulted
in the seating of an American men,
berthe first instance OF the kind
in the histotory OF the Territory.
The Gentiles OF Park City acted
wisely, and should continue that line
of policy so long as the political situation
there remains as at present. The writer
also refers to the elections in this city,
which have always been attended by
overwhelming defeat to the opposition tc
the Church tickets, whether the former
was consolidated or divided by party
lines. He omitted to mention, however
that upon one occasion at least, when the
Democrats here nominated ticket com
posed OF unquestionably loyal men, that
it was viciously opposed by some of the
leading Republicans, who, taking theil
cue from their party organ, openly as
serted their preference for the Mormon
over the Democratic candidates-some o
them proving the sincerity OF their utter
ances by actually voting the Mormon
ticket. This, too, when there was nc
Liberal" ticket in the field and when il
was well known to everybody that the
object in making nominations was
the commendable one of exposing
the falsity of Mormon pretense OF sympa
thy with the principles OF the Democratic
party, and the intimation that they
would support the party with their votes
ii they had an opportunity to do so. Il
was certainly desirable to every con
sistent and unprejudiced Gentle that
the hollowness of the Mormon profession
OF willingness to act with one OF the
National parties should be made appa,
rent, as it was by their united opposition
in this instance. 1t showed furthermore
that there was a small clique Of Republic
can here, who have no use for Democrats
in the warfare against Mormonism, un
less they can dictate their actions, or as
Gentle Democrat" expressed it, they
dangle at the tail OF their kite" 1t il
hut justice, however to mention that the
course OF the few self-constituted leaders
was endorsed by but few OF the rank ant
file Republicans, many Of whom support
ed the Democratic ticket, ,insuring it larg
er vote than had ever been polled for any
that was ever nominated in opposition t.
the Mormon Church. When there is no
the remotest possibility for success by
consolidating against the Mormon ticket
the DEMOCRAT believes in the wisdom o
making party nominations. 1t Itengenden
friendly rivalry between the two organi
cations, and the discussion Of party issue
excites the interest OF young men, who
when properly enlightened, are likely t.
be drawn from under the political con
n