Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-28
ITS REAL NATURE APPEARING.

long period OF years was inhabited
almost exclusively by the adherents
of a religious organization. Under
the discipline administered by their
leaders, the members Of that body
received thorough training in what
are called the Christian virtues, and
had deeply Impressed upon their
minds the necessity of being gov
erned 10y those virtues IN public as
well as private relations.
Under the genius Of the public
opinion titus created, a policy of
municipal control was pursued
which aimed to maintain a high
state Of morality throughout the city.
Vice in all its forms was diligently
sought to he suppressed, and if this
was not completely accomplished,
any degree of failure attending the
efforts made in that direction was
due to obstacles interposed by courts,
officials and individuals who had
the power and the willingness to
shield wroDgdoers, rather than any
disposition upon the part Of the
majority Of the people, or members
OF the city government, TO tolerate
public evils.
But the history Of this city as n
whole has been 4 very satisfactory
one in respect 10 the vigor with
which vice has been suppressed,a and
visitors without number have
praised it without stint for its record
in this regard. Its people and
especially its youth have been
preserved from temptation to a very
great extent, and its moral atmos-
phere has been for the most part
comparatively pure and bracing.
But a change Of atmospheric
conditions in this respect is
at hand. The municipal govern
ment vests in the representatives OF
n political organization which is at
radical variance with the one that
formerly held sway, and theIeaders
Of the party now in power have re-
Gently issued limitations Of a change
Of municipal policy in respect TO
vice which they will insist upon.
The real nature Of the party now in
power, is beginning to appear more
and more plainly.
In brief, it is apparent that the ex-
tent to which the training Of the old
residents will prevent the spread OF
vice among them is shortly to be
demonstrated. 1t is soon TO be
shown how much power there is in
the principles they have professed TO
prevent them from imbibing wicked
ness. when placed in 4 position that
renders them helpless to prevent it
from being thrust upon them
and Haunted in their faces. Moral
tests for ''Young Utah. Of a cru
cisl character, are close upon the
sons and daughters Of the people
who created this commonwealth.
.'The ''Liberal'' party Of this city
men OF houor aud respect
ability, who would be sorry to see
vice gain the advantage in a contest |
with law and decency. But this
element is a minority so small that |
it viii scarcely be able to even
check the progress of the majority
in its pursuit Of the policy outlined
by certain "Liberll' leaders on the
occasion when Sunday concerts
were under discussion; and the de-
feat OF the element which arrayed |
itself in opposition to Sabbath desc
Grafton presages its defeat when the |
question OF tolerating worse evils |
shall be under discussion in Glib |
eral" party councils.
As the success Of the "Liberals''
in capturing the government of this
city will create a contrast in respect
to political probity that viii reflect /
an effulgent glory upon the party .
which formerly ruled it, 50 also viii /
the same change result in condi- /
tons that will show in which |
class Of the inhabitants there re-
sides the sternest morality, from .
social and religious points Of view.
When, IN the arena with temptation
Of all kinds, the youth among the
"Mormons" preserve their virtue
and maintain their integrity, IT will
be an object lesson presented to the
view Of the whole world, which
will 90 far 10 couuteract the preju-
dice that has been created through
.he efforts Of the political self-seek-
srs who are enjoying present pros
perity here.
Wrong will work its own defeat,
and the fact that the pioneer class Of
Utah are a people of destiny, every
urn in whose career has a signifi-
,ance in connection with the pur-
poses of heaven, viii in time be
imply shown. /