Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-08-23

4 Thoeos hes been great rejoicing IN
Goat 1a1e City over the fact that In the
|socuue oloction in that city the Gentle
~ E1Go1~l party had clear majority of
(61t tAOne over the Mormons. The en-
sIR&ttned and intelligent citizens who
1AVe for many years been at the mercy
s6k The Mormon church are greatly en-
ooufAged by the result of this election.
It b good sign that they are no longer
sxelying on Congress and United states
z}odgcs, but have resolved to work out
their own salvation. Notwithstanding
the punishment and disfranchisemont
sof many notable polygamists, there
can be no doubt that Congress has done
more harm than good In legislating so
much for this unfortunate territory.
The Edmunds' law and In fact the
whole course Of Congressional legislation
has retarded the redemption of the ter
xitory from the bondage of the Nor
mons.
The Mormon problem has been a
3 voxatious one for many years. 1t
has been thorn in the side which has
been painfully agitated but not removed
BY the national legislature. 1t is mostly
] 3 social and religious problem and
statesmen have not yet adopted the
right method for its solution All the
< Iaw-making in the world can not move
the consciences of the Mormon adherents
and 1t has only aggravated the difficulty.
OF course 1t can punish plural mar
3 riages as being against the established
lAw of the land. But this is not reach
Ing the seat of the evil The law and
Z the government can not make men
I change their convictions. Such work
does not belong to any of their
4 functions. II is social and re-
ligious problem which the people of
Utah must work out for themselves.
It IL true the Mormon church has
aimed at political eminence and has by
reason of its size and power in Utah be-
come the dominant party. This is to
be regretted for the participation of the
church In the affairs of the state has
ever been against the principles of our
institutions. We have wisely avoided
any union of church and state. The
5 people Of Utah however have begun
now to deal with this evil In their own
way. And the recent election in Salt
y Lake City has demonstrated that they
can master the political aspect of the
problem. 1t will be vigorous fight
with the whole power of the organized
Il Mormon church on one side aud the
Z Gentle population without regard to
: creed on the other. Citizens of all
political Affiliations have united
! against the Mormon power and ii begins
now to look as if they would be sue
Cessful In wrestling the control from tn,
hands of the ecclesiastical hierarchy
Already signs of increasing prosperity
are showing themselves and the real es
tate market indicates unusual activity
Wherever in the history of the worlt
churches have entered into politics they
have been noted for the knavery anC
trickery of their schemes, and have dis
ealned not ts-resort to the vilest ant
most rUfrup. methods.
The greatest problem in Utah, how
ever, Is the social and religious question
This can only be solved by educating tn,
public sentiment. The influences to b
brought into use to redeem the territor
must be the chrlstianizing and eivilz
ing forces of our life and people. Tn
people must be indoctrinated with th
precepts Of Christian morality an
these must authenticate themselves. ]
must appeal to their judgments an
consciences to be of any avail Thi
education must necessarily be of sloy
progress, but when the redemption /
once secured 1t will be a permanent sal
vation. This mongrei church with it
hideous practice of polygamy canno
long Withstand the assaults of pur
Christian sentiment and healthfl
moral force. Let Congress with it
stringent laws keep hands off and tn
people of Utah will work out the problem
for themselves. The redemption of Utal
ie near