The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-09-17
THE M0RM0NS In IDAHO.

The San Francisco Bulletin claims to have
''advices' from Idaho reporting "a smart
game on the part of the Mormons TO help
the Democrats in the coming election. They
are playing it low down by pretending 10
take no interest in the campaign, while
quietly getting every one CT their members
possible on the registration lists on the sly.
1t is the familiar Democratic still hunt
with variations TO suit the particular case
The surviving twin relic was always tied
TO the Democracy, but the game is watched
and the anti-Nformon clause of the state
constitution will be enforced
The .'advicesn which the editor mrakes
to order, as in this instance, do not count
for much. In this case they merely illus
trate the ignorance of our San Francisco
contemporary. THE HERALD is reasonably
familiar with politics and parties in Idaho
quite as much so as the Bulletin. We know
something Of what is going on in
the new state, and especially in
the southern and southeastern coun-
ties where all the Mormons re
side. Among other things we know that
the Mormons are not, either openly or Sc
cretly, trying to get their names on the
registration list We know this because
the members of the Mormon church realize
the fact that the Idaho test oath making
q is unlawful and punishable by fine and i'm
prisonment for Mormon to vote or hold
Office in the state has been held TO be valid
by the highest tribunal in the land, and
they do not regard the fun of voting as
compromising man for serving a term in
prison and paying heavy fine. We know
il because we have talked with many Idaho
Mormons on the subject and have found
not one who intended to even attempt to
register or vote. We know it because
President WILLIAM bulge, the head of the
branch of the church in Idaho, says they
will not try to vote.
And now as to the alleged alliance of
Mormons and Democrats Inasmuch as
the former will not offer to vote, such an
alliance is impossible; but if the Mormons
had .he franchise it must be apparent to
anybody who knows anything of the late
political history of Idaho, that it is exceed
ingly doubtful that the Democrats would
receive any considerable support from the
Mormons. Members of the church do not
pretend to hide the fact that they regard
the Democrats as responsible for the
Infamous test oath law, which deprives
one-third of the entire population of the
state of citizenship. They say that if the
Democrats ha6 possessed the courage to
stand by their principles, the law would
never have gone into the books, and would
not now disgrace the constitution; but
Democrats were cowardly, and in their
eagerness to show that they were not in
sympathy with polygamy, tried to outdo
the Republicans in denying rights to the
Mormons.
In this connection it will not be out of
place to reproduce some extracts from the
Paris. (Idaho) Independent, the only news
paper in the state, we believe, owned and
edited by Mormons. In its issue of the
18th the Independent treats editorially of
the political contest now going on and says
They Republicans and Democrats) have said
to the MorTnons, just stand aside and see us
fight as We nave never fought before We there.
fore find ourselves non-combatants having nc
part nor lot in the matter. In years gone by we
were active participants and our influence was
sought after by both political parties AS a
matter OF political principle our sympathies
NCIt WILL bES bcuOCEdCy. anu We SUPPORTED in
good faith their nominees at the general cleo
tions. How we have been treated by that party
in return fol- our fealty and devotion to its in
terests is a matter of history, and the political
position we occupy to-day is the result of its
cowardice, treachcry ana ingratitude The
party to which we gave our allegiance and sup
port. and boosted into positions OF honor and
trust has within the last decade produced a lot
OF degenerate scrubs, who. like unclean birds.
have hefoulcd their nests, and made themselves
Infamous and unworthy OF the respect CT decent
and honest men.
Weare not vindictive although We have been
insulted ana abused. We think we deserved
better treatment at the hands OF a people pro-
Tossing TO be Christians. We have however
the self-res2ect 10 seTer our connection and
draw the line sharp and decisive between our
selves ard such ingrates and dissolve our allie
glance and alliance now and forever as We
have no synpathies in common
We wish it understood moreover that we do
not take this position in view OF obtaining any
fayors from their political opponents In fact we
ask favors OF no man. nor set OF men Wehave
asked for the rights and liberties of American
citizens. such as this great nation has guaran-
teed to every citizen OF this republic but those
common rights of humanity have been denied ns
from time to time because of our faith IN Con
and obedience TO His gospel. And the senti.
ment has been heard throughout the land. from
the President OF these United States, members
efOoDgress and other classes of thoughtful and
intelligent men, in answer TO petitions and
complaints presented by the Latter-day Saints
nameiy. Your cause is just, but we can do
nothing for you." This sentiment has a,een
familiar 10 the Mormons for over fifty Gears.
and they have learned to put their trust in The
great Eternal, who made the heavens and The
earth, the sea and the fountains of the oreat
deep.
The editor goes on to show that while
the Mormons have been denied MANY
rights they were conceded the privilege of
standing up and being counted at the late
demonstrating, without which Idaho
would be contemplate in its insignii
cance." He says the Mormons can yet pay
taxes and help support the government.
They hope, if it be not treason, that honest
and upright men will control the finances
and make and execute the laws (which
we propose to sustain by our means and
influence" And here comes something
which does not tally very well with the
Bulletins ''advices," nor with other Repub-
lican allegations of an alliance between
Democrats and Mormons. Says the hide
pendent:
To this endwe adviseour friends who have the