The Dispatch. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1891-05-13
THE NEW POLITICAL MOVEMENT

The important move made on the
political chessboard in Salt Lake last
week is creating much talk. The press
all over the Territory is full of it, and
leading men are not slow in giving
utterance to their opinions in the mat
ter. In fact, the whole Territory
seems to have been impregnated will
the spirit breathed into that instru
ment, and as result other changes
in consonant with this one, may bt
looked for and expected.
The Deseret NeaoS says, in speaking
upon the subject, which, by the way
it terms IAN important political move.
ment:''
The movement in this city to organ
ize on national party lines, is the talk
of the town. The opinion that the
time has come for it seems to
be almost universal. If the
time has really come for the
citizens of Salt Lake to drop theil
local strifes and gravitate to the
political centres which have for them
the greatest attraction, the jibeS and
covert threats of those disappointed
persons should have no weight with
sensible Republicans or thoughtful
Democrats. The permanent good of
this Territory and its evolution into a
great and loyal State, ought to be of
such oyerShadowing Importance as to
make the claims of selfish clique en-
tirely insignificant. There seems to
be difference of opinion among Re-
publicans here as to the proper course
for them to pursue in view of this
movements of the Democrats. At the
risk of misinterpretation of our mo-
tiyes, we will say that it appears to us
only self-preSeryative for the Repub-
lcans to announce where they stand
on the issues presented by their polltl-
cal opponents, so that the masses of
Utah who are halting between two
opinions may be able to determine in
telligently which national party claims
their best support, We repeat what
we have said before. Every citizen
should be free to elect where his party
fealty shall be given. His country de-
mands his full duty AID fidelity. This is
not open to question. AS to this, there
is no room for doubt. But party claims
are open for debate. National politics
have figured TO SO small an extent com
pared with local differences that many
intelligent men. old as we'll as young,
are not fully persuaded in their own
minds as TO the national party which
has 5he strongest claims to their sup
port.
Perfect frankness and freedom in
the discussion of principles distinctive
of each party, and in their adoption or
rejection. must be encouraged and
maintained. We can say, in all can
dor. that this will be the spirit in
which we desire to approach this sub
ject, and which we are sure will pre-
vail among those with whom we are
associated. religiously and otherwise.
There are strong Republicans in the
church as well as pronounced Demo-
Gratis. Some of each party occupy
very responsible positions in the
church. That makes no difference as
to their ecclesiastical standing or in
fuence. When the time has fully
come for local issues to be swallowed
up in national questions and measures.
each will act upon his own views as to
party and that will be without refer
ence to his religious faith and his re-
ligiOuS duties.
The people of Utah are devoted to
the cause of good government. The
differences between some of them and
the country have been settled by their
concessions TO the will of the majority.
There ought to be nothing now in the
way of united movement of the
whole people of this Territory towards
that proud position which Utah should
occupy as an integral part of this
glorious Union Of States
The so-called Democratic organiza-
tions which have of late years at
tempted to make spasmodic efforts tor
recognition, had no solid ground on
which to make their feeble fight. They
were not representative of the people,
nor were they expressive Of genuine
Democratic principles. They were too
much mixed up with local quarrels,
and too closely identified with radical
Republicanism, to be anything more
than mere temporary eXpedients, with
motives so transparent to the natural
eye that everybody but the mentally
blind could easily see through their
purpose. This movement bears the
marks of genuine organization on a
solid basis. And the resolutions which
set forth its platform are so clear in
their language and positive in their
sentiments, that no doubt is left as to
their sincerity and their simple but
forcible Democracy.
What will be the effect of this an
nouncement of Democratic doctrine |
remains to be seen. 1t may cause a |
counter movement on the part of gen
uine Republicans. Local feudS ought |
to die out and must give way to more |
momentous issues. There ought to be
a fair field for all parties to set forth |
their doctrines and win adherents, so |
that the trend of public thought may
not be kept narrowed into the small |
of mere local interest, but be |
to higher and broader spheres. |
for the advancement of the whole |
community and the good of the ma
tor.
Political liberty for Utah in its full
est sense is one Of the great needs of
the hour.
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