Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-04-08
THE NEW REPUBLICAN REVELA-
TION.

the Republicans OF this Territory. Fol
nearly the last quarter of a century the
National Administration has been in the
hands of the Republicans, and during tina
time the Federal offices in Utah, from
Governor down to tenthrate postmasters
have been held almost exclusively by
members OF that party. A Democrat
stood about as much chance for an ap
pointment under any of the Republican
Administrations as would a China.
man 10 be elected Mayor OF Sar
Francisco or Gentle, Marshal OF Salt
Lake City. The Democrats accepted the
situation philosophically, regarding it as
in accordance with the natural order oi
political events, usage and precedents.
They gave to the favored opponent OF
their party that support which is due
from every loyal citizen to the repre-
sentatives of the National Government.
They never complained at being ignored
in the matter OF Federal patronage, nor
claimed representative recognition in
official appointments. During that
period nothing was heard from
the Republican side which indi-
Gated that the peculiar condition
of affairs in this Territory, and the exi-
gencies of the times, demanded the oblit-
Grafton of party lines in the selection OF a
Governor, Judges or any other public
functionary, within the appointing power
of the National Administration. Since
the election of Mr.. Cleveland, however,
some of the Republican leaders have
evidently had revelation, which, if it
did not come through President John
Taylor, is astonishinglv similar to some
OF the wonderful inspirational dictations
OF that celebrated underground prophet
1t has been revealed to them that
the past political policy concerning
this Territory has been a snare
and delusion and that henceforth no dis
elimination must be made in the appoint
ing power, except OF course so far rs
relates to the present incumbents, who
must not in any event be displaced 1t
is not probable, however, that this latter
day revelation will be accepted by the
benighted Democratic brethren who at
present handle the reins of government
in the Capitol at Washington, and the
little clique of disgruntled Republican
politicians might as well accept the situ-
alton quietly, look pleasant and Weld
gracefully to the inevitable, for their
kicking will only result disastrously to
their own shins, without effecting any
damage whatever to the objects of
their impotent wrath But seriously.
1t must be apparent to every
reasonable person of whichever party
that the local affairs of all of the Terri
tories, so far as the National Government
is concerned, as well as all other impor-
tant Federal matters elsewhere, should
be controlled by persons whose political
sentiments are in unison with those of
the National representatives of the party
in power. Mr.. Cleveland is responsible
to the people of the Nation for the sue
cess or failure of his administration, and
to insure the former, ordinary prudence
would suggest the wisdom of placing men
in office whose sympathies are with the
political principles and policy of the party
of which he is the present head land which
is accountable to the country for the
manner in which the affairs of the
Nation are conducted during his term of
office. That the popularity of the situa-
ton in Utah demands the ignoring of all
political principles here except as relate
to the Mormon question, is the veriest
balderdash, and is only argued for parti-
zan purposes, by a few who hope thereby
TO retain for the party opposed to the
Administration a portion at least of polit-
ical power in the Territory. The loyal
men of both parties can as heretofore,
and doubtless will, on all proper occa-
sions, unite against the common enemy.
In doing this, however, it is no more
necessary for Democrat or Republican
to sink his party principles than it would
be for the residents of a city to |
cooperate in protecting their town
against the ravages OF plague, or band
ing together to rid the community of a |
gang OF burglars or murderers. The |
proposition is, moreyer, too humiliating,
in a party sense, for any Democrat pos
sessing the least particle of pride to en-
tertain or accept. 1t is an ac-
acknowledgement OF inferiority in |
point of honesty and ability
of the Democracy of the Territory
and Nation which no self-respectinp |
member of that organization will for an
instant concede. That the latter exceed,
numerically, the Republicans in Utah is
generally admitted, while the election of !,
Mr.. Cleveland proves the same Demo-
cratic preponderance in the Union. If
among all OF these people there cannot
be found sufficient number to fill the
offices in this Territory with as much
ability, honesty yandfaithfulnessas they are
at present the party had better disorgan-
Ize at once and turn over its entire effects,
political, personal and mixed, to the or
ganization it showed under a year ago
last fall. The Democrats of Utah will,
however, make no such admission. While
they cheerfully recognize and acknowl-
edge the capability and honesty of the
officials here during the last
ew years, they are confident that there
: nlantv OF m atarial In thair own ,,nr,,