The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-05
UTAH'S MEMORIAL.

TIE HERALD this morning reprints con-
picuously the able and eloquent memorial
to Congress adopted by the legislature of
Utah, and which will be presented to the
territorial committees of that body by a
delegation of prominent citizens who are
about to visit Washington for that pur-
pose
This paper has already pointed out the
salient features of the memorial, the start
ling truths Of which are put forward in
simple narrative form, without passionate
defamation, but in tone of appeal which
Is almost plalntive. The recital of the
political condition of the territory, so IN
republican and un-American, must make
It's way to the reason aud sensibilities of all
unprecedented persons VINO may read it.
No discussion based upon the past
history Of Utah and its pop
/ plicable now. The very argument most
made use OF by those who would hinder the
advance of popular sovereignty and self;
government. to-wit: The argument of
delay to await the filling up of the terri
tory by majority over the present popu-
lation-is one that may properly be used in
behalf of giving to Utah as full measure
OF autonomy as may consistently be done
whilst preserving the safeguards which
fndnrol rieso Sc %
provide. For if, as is stated in the minor
ity report upon this memorial, the terri
tory received an impetus by the passage of
the EDMUNDs law (by which in the view
of intending emigrants, Utah was to be
prepared for statehood with polygamy ex-
cluded), how much greater the incentive to
immigration with statehood practically
assured, and all former polygamists them
selves proclaiming the total abolition and
extinction of that institution! Not
only has the Mormon church forever
renowned the practice of plural
marriage" through the most solemn
averments, collectively and by the indi
vidual protestations of it's members, but
the territorial legislature has unanimously
passed laws denouncing the severest pen.
alties against it as crime. Further, it is
a well-known fact that this position of an
tagonism is taken not perfunctorily or re
gretfully, but with manifestations of relief
There is no reasonable person who does not
believe that if tomorrow the Mormons
were free to go back to poIygamous lives
the opportunity would be rejected. Tha
the "institution" will ever be revived i.
preposterous. Thirty, forty, fifty year:
hence the situation can be no different il
that respect from what it now is.
The progressive enterprising people o
Utah seek to put behind them the profit
less dead issues of the past, aud in thei
public discussions enter upon the consider
alton of subjects which engross tn
citizens in the states In this the,
are opposed by faction who insis
i upon keeping alive bitter animositie
q growing out of obsolete issues an
concerning which the newcomers feel n
interest. Invited hither by the promise O
a rehabilitated social and commercial cor
dition, and the hope held out of the enjoy
ment of freemen's rights, these resident
who can be called partial citizens only, ar
restless and dissatisfied. The present statu
J., of government is irksome to them, an
must be so to all others who shall max
= their homes here. The time is ripe fc
such measure as the law proposed by til
bill presented in the Senate by Mr.. FAULF
: NER, of Virginia, and in the House by GU
e Delegate, Mr.. GAME. 1t is earnestl
hoped the measure will receive the caref,
attention aud study of every member
= Congress, Democrat and Republican.