Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-10-24
THE ARIZONA enormous,

THERE are certain politicians in
Arizona who, like their fellows in
Utah, earnestly desire the disfran.
chisement OF the "Mormons." They
also used the ''polygamy" cry as
long IS it was OF any use. Now
they VIII have to use another, and
Will probably still further initiate
the Utah plotters by claiming that
as the ''MOrmOns' are generally
united in their political efforts, they
ought to be DISTINGUISHED because OF
their union-and because it is not
used in favcr Of their political enc
mics
The following editorial, which
appears in the Prescott, Arizona,
Courier, is brief but forcibIe and
manly defense Of cur friends in that
Territory:
we DO not assume to apologize for
the Mormons, but We like TO see
square and impartial justice meted out
to all men no matter what their raiig-
ious belief may be. We are person.
ally acquainted with many Mormons
IN Arizona who in point of individual
morality, intelligence, respect OF the
law, industry and citizenship are far
superior to their traducers. As men,
let us deal fairly with our fellows
and as partissns let US stand upon a
platform Of equal justice to all and not
stOOP to questionable schemes 10
carry out our desires, and We will com
mand respect rattle. than the con-
tempt this unreasonable and unjust
attempt at dislranchisemen. merits"
There are a number OF our CO.
reiigionists in Colorado and we are
pleased TO see that they are well
spoken Of by the press Of that State,
and that the scheme OF the AGisona
! politicians does not NEE. with favor
from those Colorado editors who
understand the situation. The
Denver NeiCs recently had an able
editorial discussing the question,
the concluding paragraphs OF which
are here reproduced:
'Gi this law is being violated in
Arizona, it is the duty OF the officers
in that Territory TO see that the guilty
parties are indicted and punished.
Mr.. Murphy has fallen into the
error OF a good many people in class
ing al Mormons as poiygamists. This
in the face Of strenuous deniais TO the
contrary on the part OF the highest
dignitaries Of that Church. II there
are poiygamists among the Mormons,
and no doabt there are, the law is
ample for their punishment. But !; is
great wrong to stigmatize a whole
people because some OF them are
guilty OF practices which the law de
elares to be a crime. tt Is the duty Of
the officers Of the law TO ferret out
and bring TO trial the viola:ers OF this
as well As other laws. Those who do
no; uphold and practice polygsmy
have as good a right to their religious
belief as any other denomination in
the land.
There are some Morm0ns in South
ern Colorado. The evidence Of those
who are acquainted with them is that
they do no: practice polygamy; that
they are intelligent and industrious,
and model citizens in every respect.
What would be thought Of the people
Of Colorado if they were to enact laws
DISTINGUISHING these people simply
because they are 3IOrmons? With the
same show OF justice Catholics, Metho-
dists. Presbyterians, or any other de
nomination Of Christians might be
prescribed.
1.-The EimGnds law, which provides
stringent measures against the prac-
tee Of poIygamy, while enacted
specially for Utah was made apple
able to all Territories, Arizona in
Guided. So that, under the law, il any
one IS guilty OF this crime in Arizona
he is liable to Indictment and punish
ment. This law, however, does not
20 10 the extent OF the Idaho constitu-
ton. Under the latter every Mormon
isadjudged to be polygamist until he
proves TO the contrary. Under the
Eimunds law every Mormon is pre-
sumed to be innocent until proved to
be guilty. II the law is violated am
pie provision is made for the punish
ment Of tho offender, but only after
a fair trial has been hal in the courts.
This is the correct rule, for no citizen
should be condemned without a hear
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