Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-05-06
OUR NEW GOVERNOR.

Governor Vests reception at Ogden
and in this city last evening must have
been extremely gratifying TO his feelings
rs q man, for no one, worthy of the hon
orabe position to which he has been APP
pointed could be inscnsible to such a
demonstration, evincing as it did the
confidence reposed in him by all classes
regardless of party, creed or other dis
tinctions. This confidence, partly in
spired by favorable reports which had
preceded him, was ma nifestly increased
by the favorable impression OF his per-
sonal presence, and the manly utterances
which foreshadowed his general official
course. Both Of his short speeches ind-
Gated u vigorous mind, determination OF
character and appreciation of the almost
sacred responsibilities he was about to
assume. His qualification would doubt
less have been greatly heightened, how
ever, but for his knowledge that those
who were unanimous in dong him honor
were divided by barrier, which nothing
but the strong arm of governmental au
thority can remove, and which affords
him no standing place between the con-
tending elements. II would have been
more pleasing 10 him ii he could have
seen in the crowd united people, or Il
people divided only by such minor polt-
ical differences rs involve no vital issue,
or one which he could not avoid or meet
without arraying against him one or the
other OF the elements composing the
population OF the Territory over which he
will hold executive sway. He doubtless
had general knowledge, however, of
the situation before he accepted his posi-
tion, and came fully prepared to cncoun-
ter its responsibilities in such u man
ner rs to maintain the dignity OF the
Government from which he derives his
authority, and to perform his duty fear
lessly and impartially, regardless OF
whose approval or censure he incurs in
its fulfillmcnt. He is evidently aware
that he. cannot, by any possibility, so
shape his course as to insure for him, Il
few months hence, such II demonstration
us was rendered him last evening. II is
by no means probable that he will at
tempt il. In his remarks at Ogden, while
he very properly made no direct allusion
to the principal dividing issue, he an
nounced, as portion OF his general policy,
the enforcement OF ''strict obedience to the
laws"-an expression, which, by singular
coincidence, both Of the morning papers
omitted in their reports of the speech.
That portion OF his policy thus foreshad-
owed will insure him the cordial support
and approval of the American element
OF the Territory, for ii asks nothing more
than that the Federal laws shall be en-
forced in letter and spirit; that crime OF
all kinds shall be punished, whether
committed under the sanction of eccesi-
astical authority, or admittedly under
the auspices of the devil. There is
every reason to believe that the
loyal people OF Utah will be pleased with
their new Governor. OF one thing, we
are confident. He will himself be
Governor. That, or there is no truth in
phrenology or physiognomy. He will act
independently, and will not be con-
trolled by any clique, faction or indi-
viduals. We are glad that he is Cover
nor, and none the less so because he is a
Democrat.