Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-02-16
e WICEITAN DESCRIBES THE BATTLE
IN SALT LAKE CITY.

a WICEITAN DESCRIBES THE BATTLE
IN SALT LAKE CITY.
| To the Editor OF the Eagle.
Thinking your many readers might b.
interested in hearing something from tn,
field" of the most notable contest eve
waged in the confines of s'Uncle Sans
dominions, by his majesty's nonsectariar
| Americanism on the one side and bigoteC
theocracy on the other, we submit yor
the following: Arriving at the seat OF
war Friday the 31st ult., we were soor
| impressed with the fact that some un
usual interest was occupying the mind:
of the people Of Utah's capital, and
scarce had the sun passed behind Uni.
tabs serrated crests, till zion was filled
with strains of martial music, shouting
men and faring torches, to stir the
hearts and enlists the enthusiasm of COM
ants for the ensuing struggle. This
display was alternately repeated each
evening. with more OF less vigor, by the
opposing forces, while the business hours
of daylight, day by day, were filled in
by the Sons of Veterans parading main
streets and by-streets. with gathering
drums, scgeeching flies and local battle
cries. The thoroughfares and hotels
were crowded with strangers, stopping
over en- route east or west, or waiting
the result Of the election before making
Investments, avowing if the city con-
tinued under Mormon rule they wanted
no property. Yet many investors, after
being in the city few days, seemed to
catch the infectious enthusiasm and con-
fidence of the Gentle managers
and purchased heavily prior. With
the Superseded populace much
together in parade, committees and
caucuses, the open saloons and hotel
'bars" were crowded to density, with
patrons seeking the solace of their cups.
Indeed, the hotel corridors at night were
constantly packed with a boisterous set,
whose vociferous clamor, united with the
tumult without, most effectually dis
PEELED sleep from guests and left them to
ponder over the tickle and foolish nature
of humanity.
1t is generally conceded that no peo-
pie was ever more thoroughly prepared
and organized in perfect system for an
election than these. No man entered OF
left Salt Lake City during the past six
months without inquiring as to his
qualifications to vote. Captains of tens
were appointed, by the central commit
tee, and strictly enioined to keep
trace of and bring to the polls
the ten voters assigned them, with polit-
zeal ostracism and social condemnation
awaiting them for any omission or dere-
LECTION of duty.
Neither were the Latter Day Saints re-
miss or inactive, for urged on by relig-
lous fanaticism, priestly 'counsels" or
and the added dread OF los
ing the power welded with such abso-
lutelsm and autocracy for the past forty
years. they called in use all their crafty
cunning and forcible tactics to carry the
lay. Yet, such Ia thorough polling of
the vote by both parties jAIormons called |
themselves 'tthe Peoples" party and the |
3entiles styled themselves "the Liberal |
party was made. the result was fairly |
known before election and the |
Mormons were not surprised by |
,he count. We attended their |
tabernacle services Sabbath preceding |
election, heard their old president,
Woodruff, and apostles Smith, Snow
md Grant harrangue vast audience of |
some 5000 people,, in which they dwelt |
lpon the persecution and martyrdom |
hat have attended all reformers and |
eachers of the gospel, enjoined their
members to continue faithful and accept |
he misfortunes inflicted upon them by
he government and merciless gentiles
is simply the Christening hand of God,
With the promise of some day returning
o Jackson county, Mo-, and retaking
he promised land, like the Israelites OF
Id retaking and rebuilding Jerusalem
.fter the Babylonian captivity. They
.!so bewailed the Idaho test cath,
United States supreme court decis-
ons, the abridgment of the
lective franchise for plural marriage
nd cautioned their devotees against any
force or disturbance during or
ubSequent TO election, bat. in faith for
Ultimate triumph of their cause and the
lnal conversion of the world to their
reed, they counselled patience and sub
Mission to the results
How different their attitude to that of
ormer years when in full power, nu-
and politically, Then opposi-
ion to their plans and wishes was not
rocked, but the secret mandates of
'righam Young were mUrderously en-
Orced by the fiends, Lee. Dame, and
Ike villains, who declared the removal,
Y death, of a Gentle or apostate a mer-
iful act, free from shedding innocent
lood.
Thus the last twin relic of barbarism,
oisted upon and propagated among a
lass of ignorant and superSticious but
inclined people, has fallen III
S stronghold of former public isolation
nd mountainous fertilization. before
re invinciole cohorts of modern civil
alton, as modelled in the chaste liberties
American institutions, and the>names
Joseph Smith and Brigham Young
Ill go down III history, odious in the
anne of arch lmpostors.
The smoke of battle has lifted. the
cad are buried, the wounded cared for, .
risoners granted quarters and paroled. :
I'D the rank and file of the Mormons
re plunged into the precincts of peace.
Ith little Or no apparent i'll
Ill toward the victors. Indeed :
hlie many of them threatened to dis. :.
oSe of their property and remove, If :
afeated, they are now raising the price ,
nj refusing TO sell st all. and declaring d,
icy are here to stay. OF course the ter )
tory OF Utah is still heavily Mormon
lt the influx OF Gentiles VIII probably :
I'm 1t Gentle inside of two or three |.
ears, as it has this city.
Salt Lake City is now entering an era
Unprecedented growth and prosperity.
'obably not exceiled By any other CITY
the union. RoDoLgH HATFIELD.