Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-05-07
THE DIsLoYALTY CRY.

which has ever since formed one OF
the most humiliating pages in our
national history. The enterprise
was enormously expensive, and sub
sequent disclosures proved 1t to have
been so utterly needless, that the
administration which ordered 1t has
ever since been ceDsured for the un-
mitigated folly Of the act.
We refer TO the Utah expedition
under the command of General
Albert Sidney Johnston, which
reached this valley in 1855. A
charge Of disloyalty falsely and
recklessly made against the inhab-
itauts Of the Territory, was the
cause OF the sending hither, on n
wild goose chase, Of Johnston's
army. Had there first been an in
vestigation Of the facts, and a
sensible conclusion reached respect
ing them, the Buchanan administra-
ton would have been saved the
disgrace, and the government the
expense, which that affair caused.
The "MormOns" were completely
exonerated from the charge which
had been preferred against them.
Again, about four years ago, the
same cry was raised, coupled with
the declaration that there was
danger OF n mormon" uprising
in this city. AS n result,
troops were quartered in it.
The ludicrous falsity OF the pretense
on which they were placed here,
caused the commanding officers who
ordered the move to be regarded as
the victims Of another anti-"Mor-
mon" hoax. The imperturbable
manner in which the "Mormons''
have attended to their own business
during the continuance of the state
Of affairs existing here for the last
five or six years, is ample proof Of
their respect for law and order, and
the gronndlessness Of what has been
said Of them 70 the contrary. At
numerous other times than those
here mentioned has the same
charge Of lack Of fidelity to the gov.
eminent been met and disproved.
Recently the disloy atty cry has
been raised again with greater ve-
hemence than ever. The object of
vociferating It just at this time, has
heretofore been amply set forth
in these columns. There Is a
probability that national party
lines viii soon lie drawn in Utah,
In which event the "Mormons'
would be in a position to designate
who should go to Congress, and
who should fill the local elective
offices. This is the key to the move
ment which is now seeking culmin-
alton in the passage by Congress OF a
disfranchisement bill, in support OF
which so much is just now being
reiterated about the disloyalty of the
"Mormon" people.
The government having been led
into grave errors on previous coca
sions by a delusive outcry against
the "Mormons," common prudence
ought to suggest an investigation
Of existing conditions in this Terri
tory, by or under the auspices OF
Congress, before any such a
measure as the Struble bill shall be
sent 10 the President for his appro-
val. The passage Of that bill on the
strength Of the Misrepresentation of
Utah affairs, which has won TO it
what support it has among Con-
gressmen, would be n mistake more
expensive, disastrous and humiljAt-
ing than was the Johnston's army
episode, or almost any other move
ever made by either the legislative,
executive or judicial department of
the government.
Were the investigation above sug-
gested 10 be faithfully made, and its
results fairly reported, it would he
shown to the world that there exists
in Utah n nest of conspirators
worthy of the companionship of Guy
Fawkes himself, who, In order to
accomplish such personal ends as
those of ambition, and the gratifica-
ton Of hatred, would destroy not
only the building in which Con-
gress sits, with the members of that
body, but the fabric of our glori-
Gus government itseIf. The further
fact would be disclosed that not
upon any act, uttsrance, sentiment,
doctrine or anticipation Of the
'Mormon" people has the charge Of
disloyalty against them II. real
foundation; but that the accusation
is based upon the hope entertained
by the men who make 1t, that by
pressing it they will be able to carry
to fruition their foul schemes.