The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-06-11
THE SAME OLD ENEMY.

Thirty-six years ago the Republican
party came into existence and among its
first fulminations was one against the
Mormons. Regularly at its national con-
ventions every four years since it has put
into its platforms an anti-Mormon plank.
whilst the party's course in the matter of
legislation with reference to the Saints
has been one of constant oppression. 1t
was 10 be hoped that this persistent war
fare had come to an end, and
there were reasons for believing
Minneapolis convention was confidently
looked TO 10 proclaim the cessation of thu
antagonism which has existed for more
than q third of a century and
to declare the peace that is so
much desired in this territory There
is no occasion or excuse for the
continuance of the strife. There is no
reason why there should not be harmony.
The Mormons have conceded all the Re-
publican party asked, and gracefully
yielded 10 the demands of the great polit-
ical organization which has go long been in
control of the government Polygamy and
the domination Of the state by the church
were what the Republicans professed de-
termination to suppress. AS q matter of
fact neither exists today in Utah 1t is
now nearly two years since the church by
its officials and with the approval of the
rank and file, openly proclaimed against
polygamy, since which there has appeared
no evidence of plural marriage within
the confines of Mormondom. More than a
year ago the political. party of the church
was dissolved and went out OF existence.
its members having since united with the
two great political parties of the nation
according to their respective belief in the
principles advocated by those parties. We
do not believe that any people were ever
more sincere or honest than have been the
Mormons in the matters of polygamy and
party politics. Honesty and sincerity are
proven in all their acts, and ii is mean and
cruel to say otherwise. 1t is manly and
just to accept in good faith their PROBES
sions, supported rs those professions are
by irreproachable conduct.
We say IL was hoped and expected that
the Republican party at its convention in
Minneapolis would declare a cessation of
hostilities and in q spirit of generosity and
with sense of justice proclaim the peace
which the territory SO much needs. We
say this as Democrats, and with the full
knowledge Of the fact that the placing of
confidence in the Mormons would have led
into the Republican fold some who have not
yet taken sides as between the parties. 1t
is peace that we want for in peace will the
territory's greatest prosperity come.
However, the Republican party could not
overcome it's hatred of the Saints. 1t
could not be just towards the Mormons.
1t would not show confidence in them. In
the face of unquestioned evidence of the
abandonment of polygsmy and the separe-
ton OF church and state, the party was
compelled TO relent somewhat in its
antagonism, and to refrain from an open
assault upon the Mormons in the platform,
but it declared a want of confidence in the
sincerity of the Mormons by admitting to
the convention as delegates two gentlemen
cent there by the anti Mormon party
the party which stands upon a plat
form constructed Of single plank,