The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-06-24
BLOODY SHIRT IN UTAH"

The other day the editor Of the Leadville
Herald Democrat, one Of the leading papers
of Colorado, visited Salt Lake, and while
here circulated freely among influential
people in an effort to arrive at a correct
conclusion as to the real status Of the local
political situation. On his return he de-
voted an editorial article to the territory,
under the changed condition of things
which he found here. His views being
those of an intelligent observer, we repro
duce portion of the editorial here, believ-
ing that its perusal may have good effect
upon the minds Of some of our own citizens
who have heretofore closed their eyes and
ears to what has been going on around
them:
The people OF Utah, as is well known, have
never divided on national issues, the contests
there always being between the Gentiles LIB
erals), and the Mormons. (Peopie'sl. This
division has mad its advantages well as its
disadvantages. The Liberal element has been
enabled by it TO prevent the admission of Utah
rs a state. 1t has been enabled TO WELD
greater power aud influence at Washington
than the same number OF individuals could have
hoped TO do. 1t has succeeded in securing and
holding the ear of Congress-, and has COM
manded the sympathy and support of the peo-
pie of the entire country. But while il has done
all this, and accomplished much by means Of
the cohesive power OF organization and frater
nization, it is question whether The time has
not come or very rapidly approaching. when a
continuation OF the struggle on the old lines win
not be fraught with more harm than good. The
Liberals may indeed continue to sucoe So
fully resist statehood until the dispropor
ton of Mormons TO Gentiles is overcome,
and all fear OF Mormon domination is passed
Blu; the question naturally arises. Will not this
condition OF affairs be sooner realized by the
disarmament of the Liberal and Gentle parties |
and the division OF the voters on national lines
as now proposed. Al this distance we may nos 1
WITH reason assume 10 comprehend the situa- |
ton as do those who live in Utah and who have |
been closely identified with the long and bitter 1
struggle; but il not so well advise /. we may yet
be able TO see it with less bias, and our views |
will certainly in no way be colOred by self-in- /
terest. To admit Utah al this time compre-
hends an anomalous condition Of affairs: q |
state in the American union dominated for the
line being by religious sect that places CHURCH
above country. and that holds allegiance 10
creed as more sacred duty than loyalty to
constitution or flag. II is true that the church
has formally abandoned polygamy and no
longer maintains plural marriage as a dis
tinct and essential tenet: but its recent
declarations are not believed 10 be sincere
by those whom we must cOncede have
better opportunities for forming a correct judg-
ment than have we. But against this skepti-
cism must be urged the logic OF the situation:
the public remuneration OF the worst feature OF
the Mormon institution. in compliance with the
universal demand of civilization the impossl-
b-lity OF ever reviving IL once renounced; the
certainty OF the steady decadence of Mormon
power and, influence when the gates are let
down 10 the waiting tide OF Gentle immigra
ton; the reasonable supposition that such an
influx will be realized as soon statehood is
achieved and the Mormon bugaboo removed
There are worse people than the Mormons but
the outside world does not know IL. The Nor
mons do not have horns, Notwithstanding the
popular belief. They have many excellent
qualities, but the fact is unknown outside of the
territory. The people of the east have been
taught to believe that harmonious existence
with them was impossible, and that frater-
nization was out of the question. The
picture has ever, and for reason
been overdrawn and highly colored
And again, the Mormons OF the present
may not resemble thoss of thirty
years ago. Indeed, it is difficult for Mormon
70 be identified in these days. unless he chooses
% volunteer the information. Liberalization is
yoing on apace, and some of the most enter
'rising and progressive people in Utah to-day
ire OF the faith.
The PEOPLES party was last week disbanded
IS rank and file are left TO aAiIiate with the
Republican or Democratic party as the choice
4 each may dictate. The Republican territor-
al committee affects TO see danger in this
of the field by the church party
hey regard it as trick to secure statehood
nd assert that, when this is accomplished Il
vii be called together again. and will domi rate
he aew state. Furthermore, they say, it will
nee admitted and secure from congre ssional
Interference and control call new convention
no make new constitution more to their Xix
ng than the one they must needs adopt TO
eclre admission. The more fanatical Of the
Ientile Instructors alright the air with visions
4 restored polygamy under the new dispense
ion.
We do not sympathize with these distorted
ears. We believe that a movement for state
God At this time will advance rather than re-
ard the growth OF the territory. We believe
hat before the fact can be accomplished the
isparity between the two elements will be
ute overcome. We have faith that when onco
division on party lines is made, when the
lormon question gives way to the question of
republican or Democratic domination and =
hen the newspapers are filed with accounts
the wondrous resources OF the country rather
IAN with angry disputes over dead issues
lere VIII be such an influx Of people to Utah
ON al sections Of the country as will leave
nat remains OF Mormonism buried out of sight.
] other words, we regard the war as being over
nd the longer waivlng Of the bloody shirt as
istaken policy.