The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-09-28
A MISTAKEN COUNT.

1t is denied by our friends Of the opposi-
ton that Mr- FRANK J. CANNON WAS nom
mated for Congress on account of his con-
nection with tho Mormon church. We are
told that the fact that he is Mormon cut
nc figure in tnematter, and that he would
have received tha nomination just the
same II be had navsr been associated with
the church, his politics and his services in
behalf of the party winning the prize for
bin. We would like TO believe that. We
would like to believe that the gentleman is
better Republican than men who have
grown gray in the party, and that
his services, confined TO one year,
were greater ana OF more value to
the organization than those OF men
who have spent their lives working for the
spread and advancement Of Repablicanism.
We would like TO baleve that no delegate
in the convention who voted for Mir. CAN
NON was influenced by the circumstance
that the candidate was q member OF the
church to Ghicnlbelong the Overwhelming
majority Of the people of Utah. But how
Can we believe these things when Republi-
can workers are counting on getting SO
many Mormon voiesl" Talk with any
intelligent member of the party and he
VIII tell you that MIR. CANNON is not
strong with the Gentle Republicans, but
he will be strong with the Mormons.
III course TIE HERALD does not believe
this. We think we know 1t is not true,
and we confidently expect the returns
iror1 the coming election will prove that
We are right IN our supposition. The
HERALD believes that the Mormons are as
honest an d reliable in politics as in other
matters. Experience has shown them to
be go and there is no reason TO think they
are otherwise. When they were members
OF the Peoples patty they were true to it
ever. That organization being dissolved
and abandoned the Mormons, like other
citizens, united with one or the other of
the national parties, and have been as
true to the party of their choice as they
had previously been in the Peo-
pies organization. AS Republicans and
Democrats they have not favored
Mormon candidates for office more than
Gentiles. AT the legislative election last
year Nlormons and Gentiles were indis-
crimnately on the ticket, and we believe it
is fact that III no instance did Mormon
scratch a Gentle name In this city, at
fhe recent election, a thorough test was
made, when very popular Mormons failed
to get more. Mormon votes than compare
lively unknown Gcntiles. Whatever
scratching wss done was by Liberals in
favor of Democrats or Republicans.
We say that while it is manifest from
IQ<,,,,, Hi &,et -,
gans may. that Mr.. CANNoN's church con-
nection was the chief incentive TO his nomi
mutton, ne do BOT believe it will have any
effect on the Mormon voters. Mormon
Republicans will vote for him as matter
of course not because be is co-religion-
ist, but because be is the candidate of their
party Mormon Democrats will not vote
for him. his religion not being taken into
account.
THE HERALD does not know who will be
nominated at Provo next week, but We
would be ashamed to think Gentle
would be chosen with view to winning
the Gentle vote, or Mormon taken in
the hope and expectation that he would
capture the Mormon vote. We would be
ashamed to think this, because it would
suggest the employment of an illegiti-
mate influence in politics. and would give
the lie direct to the professions of
the past year or two-professions in
which Republicans and Democrats have
alike joined. We believe that nominations
should be made without regard to the Nor
mon or any other church, the best available
ID smocrat and The best available Republi-
can being taken their church association
not figuring in The selection. Then we
would have straight politics and straight
religion OF course. both being the cleaner
from being kept apart in campaigns and the
advocacy of candidates
TnE HERALD has no apprehension of dis
appointment On November s, but it Will be
grievously disappointment if Mr. CANNON
receives a vote which would not have been
cast for him were he Methodist or Bap-
tiet.