The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-02
THE UTAH MEMORIAL.

Again The HERALD urges the widest cir
cuIation to the thrilling Indictment con-
tanned in the proposed memorial to Con-
gress by the territorial legislature. Its
burning truths are enough to fire the
breast of every sound American. Its re-
cltal, so plaintive in its simple but forceful
language, appeals in every sentence to
every sentiment of patriotism and Justice.
The tone is unimpassioned, calm, deliber-
ate, but carries in its deep swell a lusty
and powerful vigor. We very much mis-
take If this document does not produce an
uncommon sensation throughout the coun-
try.
Inc rights of the citizens guarded and
protected and mot held at the mercy and
discretion OF one man or popular majority
or distant body unadvsed as to local needs
or interests" is the burden of the memo
rial. How little of such freedom the peo-
pie Oh Utah enjoy is told in language that
spontaneously suggests to every reader the
declaration of the American fathers of
liberty in the immortal paper, adopted by
the Congress of the thirteen United States
July q, 1776:
We hold these truths to be self-evident-that
all men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed by their creator with certain unalien-
able rights; that among these are life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. That TO secure
lhese rights, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the
consent Of the governed; that whenever
any government becomes destructive of these
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or
| 70 ipef
laying its foundation such principles and
organizing its powers in such form as to them
shall seem most likely lie effect their safety and
happiness Prudence indeed, will dictate that
|, governments long established should net be
changed for light and transient causes.
But when a long train O. abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same OBJ
lect eVinces a design TO reduce them under
absolute despotism, it is their right, it is theiI
duty, to throw OF such governments and tc
provide new guards for their future security.
The first clause in the Indictment against
the King of Great Britain was: he has
refused his assent 10 laws the most whole
some and necessary for the public.good.'
Among others were:
He has made judges dependent on his
viii alone for the tenure of their offices.
He has erected multitude of new of
fees and sent hither swarms of officers Il
harass our people.
For suspending our own legislature!
and declaring themselves invested will
power TO legislate for US in all cases what
soever.n
There are many otner points of simili
tude between the British rule and tht
ho
Utah by a distant power "unadvised as Il
local needs and interests" That people
numbering quarter of a million, consent
ing for time to live outside the Union il
q territorial condition, should not be per
mitteG to choose their local officers an,
should have their domestic Legislation
vetoed and annulled, is outrageous and I'M
endurable.
1t will not do for the Congress of tn
United States to be Indifferent on this sub
iect Utah can watt is too careless AM
unconcerned a disposition of the duty o
protecting the people in their rights. S
can the oppressed in any country wait, an
hear above the clsnking of their manacle
u the voices of American sta, esmen discuss
ing questions relating to what is due to IA
tional pride and honor in other lands. s
. might the British parliament have said tn
colonies could wait for the redress of thsi
grievances. mot now,'' are the words @
cowardice as well as procrGst;nation.
: Let the memorial be at once adopted an
copies Of it sent broadcast among the PEG
pie. Let it be put into the hands of eac
Senator and Representative, Democrat an
Republican. Let it be copied into th
press of the country, and mailed to intiu
= ential persons all over the broad lane
Cool vii! certainly result. The citizens G
the United States will not let it 90 III
: Needed