The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-05-18
AMNESTY.

The territorial Democratic convention at
Ogden last week, adopted the following:
Resolved third. That we are unwilling any
longer to see any portion of our fellow citizens
deprived of the privileges of an American citi-
zen by acknowledgment, when IL mas long since
been agreed on all sides that no reason now eX-
lists therefor. and when they have made most
respectful petitions to the president for relief,
and have gwen TO him the most indubitable
proof Of their entire good faith; we therefore
most respectfully but earnestly urge upon the
! executive to relieve our people from such dis
abilities by granting to them unconditional
amnesty.
There is a manliness about this which
will commend itself to all. A few Of the
/ Mermous were DISTINGUISHED by act Of
Congress for having violated the anti
polygamy laws. These men did not be-
lieve the laws were constitutional. They
questioned the validity of the enactments,
! as they had the right to do in the courts
and fought tenaciously to the end. The
final decisions having run against them,
they yielded to the law and the public
sentiment of the country and solemnly de-
olared prohibition against the practice
Of poygamy, thus plscing them
I selves in harmony with the statutes,
and equally SO with the spirit of the age
as regards that for which they were de-
prived of the privilege of exercising GER
tain Of the rights which so with Ameri-
can citizenship. Their conduct since the
issuance of the prohibitory manifesto
proves their honesty and sincerity, for it
has never been shown that plural mar
riage has taken place since that promulga-
ton. The character of the men them
selves is sufficient guarantee Of good faith,
for among the restricted class are many of
the most humble, reliable gentlemen in the
community-men whose word nobody
would think of doubling, and whose prom
Use is equiv to performance. Having
done all that was asked OF them, having
conforned their lives to the law, and grace
fully accepted as binding the decree OF
the nation that polygamy must cease
these men should have the rights of citi-
zens restored to them. They should be re-
lieved of the disabilities which have beer
imposed, and made to feel that the govern
ment is not disposed to indulge in persecu-
tion and harsh exercise of power, but il
! generous and thoughtful as we'll as just.
We are glad the Democratic party, as AZ
organization made up of men of all relig
ious faiths and of no creed whatever, ha
taken this matter up and appealed to th'
executive for the amnesty which the Nor
mon authorities and others have asked
for the afflicted people. We art
pleased, because it is another evl
dence that the Democracy contem
plate the relief and the elevation o
the oppressed, and the fighting Of tht
, rightful battles of all men. IT Presiden
HARRISON is a generous, big-hearted man
considerste and thoughtful of his fellows
he will no longer delay the issuance of thu
proclamation which will cause few hun
dred citizens whose offenses have been con
doned through severe punishment OF bod!
and mind to feel that the government il
, their friend rather than their enemy.