The St. Johns herald., 1892-03-24
The MOrmOnS and Human Liberty

pies of human liberty as applied tC the political rights of Mormon citi zens the Phenix Gazette puts fortl the following strong argument;
 A few Republicans whose desire for office is greatly in excess of theil ability to fill such offices, seem tc think that their abuse of the Nor mons will continue them in their petty offices. These fanatics eyi- dently forget that the first ray of civilization that crossed the Rocky Mountains, and planted the seeds of prosperity in it's fertile soil, was brought, nurtured and fostered by these reviled men and women of Utah.
 If there is virtue in industry-if courage to meet and overcome ob- stacles and difficulties ; if building up and developing a great territory :; if transforming a wilderness, a bar ren desert into fields of fruit and grain if we say those are commend able virtues in a people, then the citizens of Utah, who crossed the search of homes in a liberty loving land, are entitled to seat at the head of the table.
 We respect all mems religion, all mems opinions on public measures 1; and to see a few selfish office-seek- CTS and office holders holding out the signal of danger, and thrusting the red flag into the faces of the senators for the selfish purpose of holding a contemptible office, we feel that it is they and not the Nor mons, are the men whom this re- public has to fear, When the bu- gle blew its shrill blasts for men to fight the nations battles-when the life of the American republic hung trembling in the balance, and the old flag wns cnshrouded in dark ness and disaster, the heroes who came forward and donned the blue coat and shouldered their muskets were not asked by the general in command before forming them in line of battle, what their religion was, or where they came from, 1t was sufficient that they were pat riots.
 Who eyer heard of comrade turning to his fellow soldier in bat tie ard asking him his religion or nationality. In funeral process sion in Phenix sometime since, we noticed many old soldiers following their comrade to his last resting, and in that line of march we mo- ticed many faces that first saw the sun across the sea. The son that was rocked in the cradle by his Irish mother, walked side by side with comrades from the Rhine. Old Erin and fatherland and fol- lowing to the home of the dead, a man that was born under the Stars and Stripes; but they all barred their breasts to the storm of battle that liberty might live and prosper in the home forever dedicated to tree- dom by liberty loving people,
 Many of the men these political mountebanks are seeking to dis franchise marched to the cannon's mouth in defense of the old flag. Mesa to-day has twenty-five men who fought to keep the union intact for four long ears. Now, in candor we ask, is not a man who risked his life in his country's defense enti- tied to enjoy the liberties he helped to maintain? Does not the Amer jean banner float high enough? Is not the graves of 600,000 soldiers sacred enough to guarantee liberty and equality to every honest citizen in this regenerated republic?
 We are ashamed of the senseless, demagogicaI cry, and trust that congress will look at the subject as its merits demand, and not take the naked statements of these Arizona