Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-02-05
RUMORS OF A SPLIT.

There are rumors OF a split in the
Peoples party in this city on account o.
the municipal ticket that has been placed
in the field. The great objection to that
ticket is the name of Alfred Solomon.
That there is great dissatisfaction in the
ranks of the Peoples party we know, and
we heard one gentleman, home mis-
sionary, say that he would not vote for
Soloman, and that as he seemed so emf
nently well fitted to act the part
of a spotter, he thought he
should be kept at the business.
There has also been a great deal
of talk about getting up new ticket,
substantially a Peoples party ticket, to
beat, or at least lessen the strength of,
the regular ticket The Ne,os itself seems
apprehensive that this will be done, and
of course the NeUS thinks such proceed
ing unwise. 1t is from the NeWs' point
of view, but from the point of view of
those who desire speedy and peaceful
solution of the Utah question, it is very
hopeful sign. The Peoples party has
long been a unit in all things, and the
voice of discomfort within its ranks has
always been hushed as soon as
heard. This has been done by
the use of ecclesiastical influence
usually, and when man has kicked poll
tically and has not ceased at the word of
command and has kept up his kicking,
he has generally, in fact it may be said
that he has always, ceased to belong to
the church which rules the Peoples
party. This fact is known to none better
than to the NeUs. 1t says, "there
should be no division; only harm could
result from ito Every such division is
weakening of the strength of the
church, and it is the strength and domi-
nation of the church in Utah that has
caused the great trouble in Utah. If a
preservation of the union of Church and
State in Utah is desirable, and it GER
tainly is from the standpoint of the News,
then the division which the News de-
precates can produce no good re-
suit; ''only harm could result from it,"
The position of the Peoples party is
unique in the annals of politics. It is the |
only political party that ever grew up in
the United States whose members are all |
of one religious faith, and when they
cease to hold that religious faith they
cease to hold the political doctrines of
the Peoples party. There is but one
rational explanation for this anomaly.
1t is explained by saying that the Church
and State are one and inseparable in
Utah. The Peoples party and the Nor
mon church will deny this but it remains
the truth just the same The NeUs saws,
lit is simple prudence on o,.r part never
to become divided. In these times the
vote Of every citizen should be cast, and
the Peoples party should come out in its
powers. There should beno vacillation and
no hating between two opinions. Every
man and woman that can lawfully use
the ballot, should go to the polls
and vote the Peoples ticket, and
for its regularly nominated candidates
There should be no halting between two
opinions, says the NeaUs, and this is true;
but if the stronger and better opinion
were against the regularly nominated
of the Peoples party, would .
5he Neacs advise those of its party who
leld such opinions to follow them out?
t scarcely would. Fidelity to party for
he mere sake of fidelity to party is poor :
policy; is pernicious. Men should give :.
heir adherence to political party only !,
o long as it represents certain line of
'olicy based upon well-defned ideas, and ,
Fhen party forsakes these, it should be !,
orsaken. Party is a means, not an end. :.
We hope there will be a split in the Peo-
les party, and that those who are dis :,
usted with the men and methods of that =:
arty will assert their rights and run :.
icket of their own. v