The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-01-21
STAND By HOME RULE.

THE HERALD commends to the careful
perusal OF Republicans and Democrats
alike the words of Senator PLAT, of Con-
necticut, as quoted by our Washington cor
respondent in Wednesdays issue. Mr..
PLATT is chairman of the Senate committee
on territories He is furthermore an ad-
vanced Republican, and like President
HARRISON, Secretary NOBLE and other
leading members of the party whose words
on the Utah problem we have quoted, is
authorized to speak for his party; espec-
tally can he speak for Republicans concern
ing bills relating to the territories which
go before his committee. What he says
goes" so far as his committee and his
party are concerned.
THE HERALD has said that from the first
Republicans have opposed statehood for
Utah, and we have proven this by quoting
them and referring to their platform decla-
rations. Senator PLATT further verifes
this, and in doing so he not only takes into
account the full history of the party, but
considers the present situation. When
asked if he thought the people of Utah
were entitled to statehood, he frankly said,
mo, not just now" Then he went on to
describe the condition of things which
every body knows exists. He said the
Mormons were fulfilling their promises
satisfactorily, but-"wait;" they were not
voting as unit, having divided on party
lines, but-"wait" Without putting it in
words, Senator PLATT conveyed what
every Republican leader feels-a doubt as
to the honesty and sincerity of the
people He could not point to an
instance of unfaithfulness, yet he was
not willing TO place confidence in
them and their professions until time had
demonstrated their honesty and integrity
| 1t was an insulting and uncalled for ex
preston of distrust, but it was the voice o.
the Republican party; and it is, further
more, idle TO deny that the sentiment which
! he expressed is prevalent in the country
aud VIII pass away only when it will b.
cranky and stubborn to hold Ii.
II was this sentiment in and out of Con
gress which the Democracy took into &C
count when they formulated and asked tn,
passage Of the Home Rule bill. Democrat
here have perfect confidence in the honest,
aud good faith Of the people of Utah, ant
would heartily welcome statehood
knowing that all would DO right
but they realized then, and do s.
still, that Congressman and the country ar
not going to abandon, on the instant, tn
impressions Of a lifetime. Hence the thin,
to do was to ask for practical home rule
the right to make laws and administe
them, to elect our own officials and hol
them accountable to the people-untn sue
time as the Congress and the America
people are convinced that the Utah com
munty is patriotic, honest and trust
worthy. The Democracy have asked i
good faith for the best thing which it is be
lieved can be obtained in tie immediat
future, and they are going to in
} sist that their just prayer, t
J which no fair objection can b
raised, shall be granted Democrats in an
out of Congress concede the justice an
fairness of the CLAIM, and Republicans ca
, oppose only by demanding more, KNOWN
full well that they cannot get more Som
Of the latter, those of narrow minds an
who are jealous Of the interest which th