Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-12-31
THE DEPARTING YEAR.

n memorable year In every respect
But perhaps in politics
stands out as the most histori
OF any in the past decade
The all but destruction Of the Re
publican party is one Of Its mos
significant features. The growtl
and activity Of the Farmers' Ali
ance is another.
1t is in the partial paralysis of tn,
Republican party and in the de
manis of the Alliance that the DO
litical student will find food 70
contemplation. The Alliance /
more or less q secret, oathbount
party; it demands an independen
United States Treasury with opel
warehouses and loan offices to cir
culaie money at 9 per cent pc
annum. This party further want
raj roads and telegraphs under gov
ernment control. 1t also wants FIRE,
silver coinage, increase of papel
currency and Reputation of al
mortgage Indebtedness.
The Alliance is fiourishing in thu
West and South. 1t ia tearing ole
parties asunder. 1t will have
twenty-four members in the mex
Congress. 1t owns Kansas ant
South Carolina. 1t is difficult e
conjecture what this young party
may Yet accomplish; but in any way
that il is looked at, its birth, growth
and demands are significant and
may form an important epoch in
American history.
In railroad accidents, me.eorolog-
ical disasters and other calamities,
the year has copious and mourn
full record.
The revelations in science are
startling. DR.. koch's consumption
cure, if it brings what is claimed for
II, will form a marking point in
science almost emphatic enough to
cate medical events from.
Next in importance In the
mechanical world is the pro.
jected ''fying machine" or
rather "Air Ship" Though the
practicability of this has not yet
been fully demonstrated, yet the
best opinion Of the age deems it q
probable solution of the problem of
aerial navigation.
In religion, perhaps the most
significant development appears in
the history of what the world calls
"MOrmOuism.- The decision of the
United States Supreme Court sus-
tanning the Idaho Test Oath is one
which must occasion reg ret to those
patriotic Americans who revere the
principle Of religious freedom. The
cecision was n strained construction
OF The constitution, exhibiting q de-
sire to ignore the spirit and put q
technical and intoieraut interpreta-
ton upon such Of its provisions as
were intended to protes { instead of
curtail religious rights and liberties.
The victims of that decision do not,
like the Farmers Alliance and
other new parties, denouncs and
demand the abolition of the
Supreme Court, but the disfran.
caised citizens Of Idaho DO hope
that the court may be blessed with
spirit of iiberaiity, patriotism,
Justice and enlightenment, and
that its future decisions NAV. re-
d. y -.
---ound to the benefit, preservation
and spiendor Of our glorious Repub.
lie.
The Court has exhibited a differ
ent disposition in its latest ruling
affecting the Mormon" question.
In reversing the decision Of the
Utah courts and settling the ques-
ton that a legal wifr's evidence
cannot be admitted as against her |
husband in a polygamy case, the |
Court has maintainei for the "Mor-
mous' the same rule that is applied |
to the ''Gentiies," and has governed
the Jurisprudence of the civilized
world for centuries.
What is denominated the ssNfes.
siah Craze" among the Indians Is |
als" an important event In the reli- |
gious history of the year. That this |
crazs has it, fou ldstion in religion |
is beyond DOUBT, but its origin and |
development are involved in some
degrees Of mystery. 1t is to be de-
plor=i that it should lead to the
determination Of the Indians, for a
matters now stand that Is practi.
cally what the government and the
people IN the vicinity Of the Indians
demand.
That foul pay was practised to-
wards the Indian is unquestioned;
AMI that this religious frenzy was
made a pretext for agsravating the
Indians ami driving them into dis
content is also a fact beyond dispute.
The whole affair will make q dars
in the story of tibet Caucasian
race in lis dealings with the original
ma i've Americans.
O.e of the mos. important re-
ligious events Of the year Is the &C.
lion taken ty the President and
Conference of the Churchsof Jesus
Christ Of Latter-day Saints in rela-
ion TO plural marriage. This is as
striking an evidence of the regard ,
'f the Mormon" people for the laws
IF the land when declared constitu-
i'onai by the court of last earthly {
-s.sort, as could possibly be given to 9
ne world. Its bearing upon the .
',mmGnity will greatly affect their /,
Gtars, aai il will offer test to the {
iation as to the sincerity of its =
Ilieged antipatby TO the Saints e
olely on account Of their adherence
0 polygamy. q
The religious question has en- 4
ere / actively into politics in many y
s,stes OF the Union. In Wisconsin 3
he Issues in this years campaign q
we're entirely religious. The Ger
nan i-ifhSSans and the Roman o
catholics Of all nationalities CON- I,
'ined and formed a political party q
ustaiuing Ia7ochial and private II
chools free from State interference. G
The remo cratic party endorsed the q
emands Of the religious people, and d
iae reGsttf Wal in w uca,.s. -, 81