The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-26
SALT LAKE NOT IN 1T.

IL Is observed tnat some or the citizens OF
Provo have, like Ogden, organized them
selves into Democratic and Republican
clubs and announced their determination to
hereafter move politically on national party
lines. The movement in Provo is not so
formidable as in Ogden, where, if the re-
ports may be relied upon, the old parties
have been practically wiped out of exist
ence, the membership having been trans
ferred to the new organizations. However,
the Provo clubs include number of gentle
men who have heretofore been active and
prominent in either the Liberal or the Peo-
PIES party. 1t is also observed that the
foremost Liberal of Payson is out in local
paper with an argument in favor of aban-
doning the old parties and forming Republi-
can and Democratic organizations.
1t is not known what has caused this
world. nor can one readily understand how
1t is that gentlemen who few weeks ago
were seemingly bitter political enemies
should all at once become close associates
and seemingly warm political friends
There must be something peculiar in the
atmosphere of Ogden and Provo which is
not found in Salt Lake A healthy,
vigorous Democratic or Republican or
ganization in this city is simply out of the
question at this time, aud will be out of
the question until few partisans at least
are courageous enough to stand by their
convictions through one campaign and one
election. THE HERALD has seen Demo
cratic clubs and Republican clubs organ
lied and has heard individuals declare with
emphasis that they were done with the old
parties; would never, no never train again
under other than a Democratic or Repub-
lican flag; and we have seen these
clubs glide swiftly into ''innocuous desue-
tude," while the members slid back into
the ranks of the old associations. ONLY
Jew months ago a club was formed with
more or less display and defamation, and
some of its members were quite vigorous in
their assertions that they would have moth
ing more to do with Liberal or Peoples
parties or politics. A few weeks after the
organization there was an election, when
prominent members of the club took an &C
tive part in the management of the cam
palgn OF candidate of the opposing politi-
cal faith; the association went even farther
and humbling itself before the candidate.
patiently and uncomplainingly submitted to
severe spanking at his hands and then
adopted resolution to vote for him. There
have been many instances of men who
thought they had political courage, being
whipped back into the traces, but the case
referred to was perhaps the most con-
splcuous. 1t was so conspicuous and so
recent as to scout the idea that there can in
the immediatesfuture occur in this CITY any
thing like CHASING of men along national
party lines. When protesting partisans
viii patiently submit to flashing for dar-
ing to say they are independent and will
humbly and gratefully lick the hand that
smites them, as we all saw illustrated last
November, it is hardly worth while to
suggest the possibility of the abandonment
OF the old organizations and the alinement of
the voters as Republicans and
Democrats. We must wait awhile:
how long, nobody can say, but
until the bitternesses have been somewhat
sweatened; until the party lash has slost
something of its sting, and until men
Soeuoi buO courage W MAINTAIN their con-
victions by their utterances and their acts.
So long as Democrats will vote for Demo
GRAFT hating Republicans through fear that
the latter may scold, Democratic clubs
will be burlesque and mockery in Salt
Lake.
Yet, while nothing can be done here.
even if it were desirable to do anything,
we will all be interested on-lookers of the
movements just inaugurated in Ogden and
Provo; and our interest will deepen as
election day approaches and it shall be
demonstrated whether or not the so-called
Republicans and the so called Democrats
are only indulging in little side play;
whether or not they mean anything by
their present protestations; whether or
not they have really left the old parties to
which they have heretofore given such
certain obedience
Salt Lake can be only spectator, but it
will be an interested one