Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-01-13

into and has persisted in n groove of mis-
taken thought. Subjects held by them as of
vital Importance are mere shadows. Princi-
pies instilled into the people are to be un-
learned by them. The prime fact that their
highest allegiance is due to the Government
has been and continues to be held as second
ary to other considerations, and that rights
and duties have by many been honestly con-
founded with franchises and principles as
laid down in the Constitution. So prevalent
has become this thought that very many
whose purposes in life are honest, and who
believe themselves to be faithful citizens,
are Jealous in withstanding by argument
and action, and in cases have conspired to
defeat, the plainest provisions of national
law.
WHAT WE SHOULD DO.
therefore affirm that it is our plain and
unmistakable duty to supplement and aid in
carrying into successful application every
| law passed by Congress which has been de-
termined by the Supreme Court to be CON
stitutional; that we should endeavor to keep
the people from wasting their strength in
crying out against the Government and its
laws and the courts, for that will but pro-
long hatred and discord.
We should see that the Territorial govern
ment is organized in all of its parts in con-
formity with the laws of Congress; that the
system of plural wives or polygamy is
denounced by Territorial statute, and that
the marital and property rights of women
are made secure and ample; that the exercise
of political power by ecclesiastical authority,
which is not tolerated in the slightest degree
elsewhere, should be abolished in Utah.
coNsEoUENCEs If WE DO NOT.
We may spend the days of this important
| session in dealing with the lesser but still
! important questions arising in our everyday
| affairs, but until we meet fully and fairly
and definitely settle the questions of or
| ganio difference between the people of the
| United States and the people of Utah, legis-
late as we may, labor and strive and build
as we may, there yet will be imputations
| against us, and there can be no lasting peace
or that vigorous growth to the Territory that
our resources and location warrant. Else,
| we shall find in the future as we have found
in the past, that year after year as we grow
| in age and numbers, instead of a fuller
manhood, we shall be curtailed in what are
now under the law rightful subjects of leg
islation, and perhaps stripped by the hands
of the Parent Government of that political
| power, which strengthens and 30 we'll adorns
| American citizenship, and which cannot and
| has not been stripped from any who right
fully and loyalty wear it.
COURT DECISIONS CONCLUSIVE.
| The courts are the proper places in which
questions of law may be determined and the
rights of individuals charged with public
| offenses, properly defended. In the con-
tests by the Government upon one side in
executing the laws of Congress, directed
against polygamy and unlawful cohabita-
| tion, and an organized and determined effort
| to defend the system of plural marriage
upon the other, the methods and arguments
presented, unfortunately have not been con-
| fined to the courts.
FRUITS OF EcoLEsIAsrIoIsM.
have in my possession circular signed
by the presidency of the Church of Latter
day Saints, which in set terms designates
| the Territorial Central Committee of the
Peoples Party as the instrument through
which to raise funds to defeat the laws in
Utah, Idaho and Arizona, thus making the
| politics of the people subject to the direct
diotation of ecclesiastical authority.
The instructions contained in this cir
cular have been followed, in the main, SO
far as defenses before the courts are con-
cerned. These instructions and other and
like teachings having reached those intended
| to be reached, have produced feeling more
intense and more united than ever. The
press which represents the church-part in
tensitied their infiammatory denunciations
of the courts, and indulged in coarse and
nnwarranted denunciation of faithful
officers, charged with the administration of
public justice, abating nothing even after
their actions had been sustained by the
| Supreme Court and the President. Acts of
disloyalty, nastiness and violence naturally
followed, and the inflamed tone of the press
which defended these acts, tended to provoke
riot and bloodshed.
support, if necessary, the civil authorities in
preserving, the peace, very proper and
prompt orders were given to, and disposition
made, of the troops of the United States
under General McCook, by reason of which
| dangerous excitement was allayed
The quiet that followed, and that which
now prevails, furnishes full justification for
this action, and demonstrates the wisdom of
the PRESIDENT i'll promptly acting in the
premises.
QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS.
The financial and educational interests,
and the public institutions of the Territory
are imperiled. and the happiness and gen
eral welfare of the people are involved in
these matters which | have presented for
classes and of the people of every religious
and political belief, this condition of affairs
should be quickly terminated. With this
end IN view, respectfully submit for your
consideration, with an earnest request for
an early expression of Legislative opinion
upon them, four questions, for the reason reason
that much of important legislation may be
dependent upon or advanced by your ex
pressed will upon the vital issues contained
in them:
First-That the organization of any part
of the Territorial Government in n manner
other than that prescribed by Congress- ia
unlawful, and that all laws of the Territory
conflicting. with the laws of Congress should
be repealed.
Second-That the laws of Congress- are
paramount and should be obeyed by all citi
zens, and that it is the duty of nil Territo-
rlal, county and precinct officers, and citi-
zens OF the Territory, to aid in the enforce
ment of all laws, including those directed
against bigamy, polygamy and unlawful CO.
habitation,
Third-That it is the duty of the lepisla.
i've authority OF the Territory, by proper
and supplementary legislation, TO aid in the
execution OF all laws, including those direct
ed against bigamy, polygamy and unlawful
conaDltatlon. III, however, you deem these
or any one of them to be wrong, and that
your duty to yourselves and those Won rem.
resent WI not admit Of your. approval of
them, then l submit that il is duty you
owe to yourselves and to the country to re-
solve that you are of opinion that the aues-
tlons submitted by the Governor do not have
your approval in whole or in part.
Questions No. /, 2 and 3, agreed to and
laws passed by you embodying these require
ments OF the country, will quickly terminate
Congressional action, and releeate To tbe
people here authority in matters now with
held from them.
IL, IN your wisdom, you should sec proper
TO adopt the fourth question suggested. or
one 9i IKE import, recommend that you
irankly ana fully give your reasons in order
lnat congress may consider them, and if
convinced of the rightfulness of the claim.
promptly repeal all legislation confiictino
with those views, or if disagreeing WITH
jected by you.
UNLAWFUL GOVERNMENT.
recommend the repeal of all laws and
parts OF laws inconsistent with section seven
~ ~ OF the act Of Congress establishing the
aa neiieory OF otah. All Territorial officers
created by Territorial statutes are holding
on by virtue of unauthorized and unlnwfnl