The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-06-26
LIBERAL DESPERATION.

The Tribune expended four columns of
editorial matter yesterday in its attempt to
show o. that polygamy is not dead in Utah
and that there is imminent danger OF its
practice being revived; (2) that the Peo-
pies party is not really disbanded; 60 that
the people of Utah are 90 enslaved that
nothing short Of death would free them.
The proof of the first proposition is that
some five or sig years ago, the Mormons
declared plural marriage to be "a vital
part'' of their religion, ''the decision of the
courts to the contrary Notwithstanding"
At that time, the doctrine Of polygamy
was undoubtedly "a vital part'' of Mormon
faith and practice; out it is nolonger so.
The doctrine is not preached nor inculcated
in any way, nor is it practiced by the Nor
mon people. To preach or practice that
doctrine would be in direct violation Of the
expressed will of the church.
The same paper that now pretends to be-
lieve poiygamy is not a dead issue, de-
clared openly few months ego that it
knew Of polygamous marriages, which were
being celebrated every day. The HERALD
promptly branded the paper a liar and
challenged it to the proof. the paper
crawled down and said il belieUed such to be
the case. Once more we invited the paper
to state the grounds for its belief, and it
kept silent Now it takes the absurd
ground that polygamy is likely to be rein
stated of which it knows there is about the
same degree Of probability as there was
that slavery would be re-established in
Mississippi after that state was restored to
the union.
The proposition that the Peoples party
is not really dissolved is just little too
ridiculous to admit of serious argument
But the organ objects to the dissolution Of
the Peoples party on the ground that, as
it claims, the church authorities consented
TO it. 1t says the church authorities were
the real leaders of the Peoples party, and
since they consented TO or ordered the dis
solution Of the party, therefore the dssolu-
ton is not genuine! This conclusive rea-
soning must certainly stagger the whole
y Liberal party.
The fact is, the people of Utah have for
Q long time been anxious for the formation
of parties on the lines Of national politics.
and have embraced the first opportunity
afforded them to do so. II the church
leaders are also pleased with the movement,
90 much the better; but we
happen to know that the impulse
for that movement came from the people
and not from the heads of the church. From
the day that a Democratic organization Of
sufficiert influence to guarantee Its perpet-
uity announced its antipathy to disfran-
chisement and invited the people of Utah,
without regard to previous political afilia-
tions. to join with the Democratic party Of
the nation-from that day forward, We say,
Il was clear to a great majority of the Peo-
ole's party what should be done. At once,
without waiting for any permission" from
,he church authCrities or any one else,
oumpers Of Peoples party members began
To ioin the Democrats. Then q
Republican club spoke out and
some Joined the Republicans. Then,
observing the fact that the Peoples party
was rapidly weakening, if. indeed, il was
not going 10 pieces, the county committee
called together the officers Of the party and
by a vote of the representatives of the
whole party, took formal action dissolving
the organization Now that the former
members Of that party are joining either