The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-08-18

LuuCn VI Ou6 as we 90 Oh Tue OlucI VIC
know that both are white or semi
civilized, and we are ready to swallow
anyltale that can be told. No matter
it may contain. We have no means OF
investigating the matter and we take it
as itcomes.
Oflste We know the Mormons have
been trying to have Utah admitted as
State. We would just as soon
think Of the Indian Territory becom-
ing a State, or the Apaches becoming
Presbyt erians. This is about the ex-
tent o:lthe general knowledge of Utah.
But when such an went as the arrival
of the Utah exposition car enables
few out OF the thousands to realize that
there is something of civilization, en-.
lightment and education in Utah, the
eyes Of these few are partially opened
and they wish to know more. But,
after all, they are hardly sure that it is
not some hoax.
Utah has before her a long snd
wearisome task, to clear away
from the minds of the people of the
States the dease mass of malicious mis-
representation with which they have
been blinded for years upol years.
But let her. not lie discouraged.
Little by little we 81 all become en-
lightened. Drop by dlop falls the rain
upon the mountain toy. First the
little pool is formed. then the trickling
rivulet, the Ioud-laughing brook, the
deep-fowing and mighty river that
sweeps away sill obstacles. And so
shall be the progress of the truth con-
corning Utah. The first great sep in
advance was made in the adoption,
by the constitutional conYentioii
of the Territory. Of a Sta'e
Constitution not only prohibiting
poiygamy bnt making il a riminal
offense. 1t has been demonstrate d that
the United States Will not tolerate or
condone the continued practice Of
polygamy under any theory or preteXt,
religious or otherwise. TO this Utah
has indicated formal acQuiescence by
a vote of her representative in con-
vention.
The country may be slow in believ-
ing this was done in good faith. and it
may seem wearisome waiting. but time
at last brings about the most marvellous
results. The next ten years will be an
era of progress for Utah inccmpalab ably
greater. venture to predict, than any
ten preceding years have known. Let
the people of Utah hold fast 10 the de-
cree of their representative men in
convention assembled that poiyeamy is
to be thing of the past. ard ere long
the trickling rivulet will become
mighty river, the little CLEAN of light
disseminated by the exposition car in
its progress Will be developed into the
effulgent sunlight, and it shall be
known and accepted of all men
that Utah is the brightest gem
of the entire Rocky Mountain
Region, and her people models of
Industry, sotriety, mental ability and
moral worth.
NV own personal experience con-
firms the truth uttered by tle Hon.
John T. Cain, in his letter to the st.
Louis Globe Democrat, wherein he said:
"The Mormons art not only an Intelli-
gent but remarkably well-inIormed
people. They are great readers OF
books as we'll as of newspapers. They
are not led by one man or few men.
They study, read, and discuss with one
anolher u And my faith in their con-
tinued progress and advancement is
as firmly rooted as are the foundations
Of theft own beloved mountains.
| often recall conversation l had in
the fall of 1882 with James wilson, the
actor, Who was SO long and so success
fully the manager OF the Salt Lake
Theatre, after its reno iell ng some ff-
teen years or so ago, during the admin
istration of Messrs. Clawson, Game and
Williams. --~
1 meth Vinson upon Sixth Avenue,
in New York, at the intersection of
Twenty-Third Street. Standing in the
shadow of the massive and grim old
theatre of Edwin Booth, watching the
flicker of the electric lights and llsten-
elevated. cars as they zane and
went at freque t intervals, we
talked long and earnestly of those we'll
Crosby, and Marsden, and Margetts,
and Jean Clara Walters, and ters,
whose names slip my memory SO effect
lively interpreted the drama to admiring
audiences.
People may say what thy will
about the Mormons," said wilson to
me, but I have been about this coun-
try good deal in my life, and have
played in all the principal cities and
theatres, and never met a more gen.
erous, cordial and hospitable people
anywhere"
And then he ran over long list of
names of Utah people which will not
here repeat, whom Re considered part
of the salt OF the earth.
And while we uonvPrsed we agreed
that the time must come, ere long,
when Utah should receive that recogni-
ton which her mt rits deserve.
Il may, not live TO see the time" he
said. Il am growing old and feeble.
My race is nearly Iun. But believe it
cannot be many years before polygamy
will be done with, and then the coun-
try will begin to understand and appre-
ciate the worth of the Mormon people"
3 Warm-heated Vlpson, l know very
well how kindly your memory is cher
ished in Utah., ~
I have never met Vinson since that
night. The years have been full of
darkness AID trial in Utah since that
conversation. +
Let all now hope that she has
reached the commencement: of the
long -looked-for time. For myself, be.
lieve that the watch of the SEN
tin.l stars in the sky is already
ended, and that you may begin to hail
the brightly rising sun, before whose
radiant light the; darkness must be
changed quickly into the splendor of
midday. zs
May God speed Utah, as she awakes