Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-17
THE DIsFRANCHIsEmENr BOOM.

BY the Herald Washington
special, which appears in this issue,
twill be observed that the scheme
fer the disfranchisement Of the
Mormon people, on the ground Of
religious belief, is being vigorously.
pushed.
It seems as if those who favor it
are not deeply anxious to have the
subject discussed. The reason for
this is obvious-those WHO have
made up their minds to do 4 thing
that has no element Of consistency
or justice in it are not made com
Portable by having the monstrous
character Of their conduct appropri-
ately depicted. To that class sound
argument is a source Of annoyance,
but does not cause any change in
the course they propose to pursue.
The amendment to include the
''AIormons'' in all the Territories in
the disabling process is highly alb
surd as well as monstrously unjust.
The people Of the Territory Of Ari-
IONA, through their representatives
in the Territorial Legislature. several
years ago, passed a test oath law
similar 10 that existing in Idaho.
Public sentiment ran high against
it,on the ground that the ssNIor-
mon" people Of Arizona were among
the best and most law-abidiug Of its
population. It vas recognized that
they were deserving Of better treat
ment and shcgii be on an equal
political footing with other citizens.
This feeling became so pronounced
that a subsequent legislature re-
pealed the test oath law, which had
been tried and fOunI wanting in
every element Of Justice and con-
sisteney.
Now comes an outside effort to
enact a measure for Arizona in d.
rect conflict with the expressed win
Of its people. The scheme is in
opposition to the very genius Of
local self-government. Not only
did the legislative Representatives u
the people Of Arizona make their
wish on the subject known in a way
that could not Be mistaken, but their
representative in Congress protests
now against the proposition to dis
franchise probably the most thrifty,
industrious and well-behaved class
Of his constituents.
a portion OF the plot is doubtless
not yet developed, although it has
occasionally come to the surface.
That Is, to give Arizona, which
aspires 20 statehood, the alternative
OF remaining cut Of the Union in
definitely, or adopting in her con-
stitutiOn a clause similar 10 that
in the Idaho instrument dis
franchising all members Of the
Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter
day Saints. In the event Of admis-
sion on this condition. the idea is
that the Democrats being deprived
o. the support Of the ''AIormon,
members OF the party, the new State !
would he Republican, and thus
another prop lie formed for the q. |
o. p. in the Presidential campaign
of 1892.
The scheme is one Of the most an
omalous and dangerous ever intro
duced in politics in this country. 1t /
means national disaster, reminding
one Of what Fr0uie holds 20 Ice one
Of the chief lessons taught by history.
Its to theedect that when any class |
Of citizens Of a Republic, are, from
any cause, deprived Of the privileges
Of its constitution, the constitution
itself falls t. pieces from shere in
competence for its duties. He holds
that when the inequality becomes \ !
fact, the calamity is no longer dis
taut.
80 we believe it will prove, should
the plot TO disfranchlse the eSIor-
mon" people be consummated.