The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-07-20
DEMOCRACY AND STATEHOOD.

yesterday morning we printed q letter
1 written By gentleman who has figured
here as a Democrat, IL which he declared
himself rs opposed to statehood for Utah
lie is probably the only man in the terri
tory claiming utilization with the Demo-
cratic party who objects to the admission of
this territory into the Union as q free and
sovereign state on an equal plane with The
other members Of the sisterhood How
ever, lest there should be another like him,
vie will here republish for their enlighten-
nent and guidance a resolution adopted by
the National Democracy in convention as
senbled less than a month ago:
We approve the action Of the present House
Of Representatives in passing bills for the i'd
mission into the Union as states the territories
Of Kew Mexico and Arizona, and favor the
early admission OF all territories having the
necessary population and resources 10 entitle
them TO statehood, and while they remain terri
tories we hold that officials appointed TO adj
minister the government OF any territory to-
gether with the District OK Columbia and Alaska.
shall be bona fde residents OF the territory
or district in which their duties are to be per
formed. The Democratic party believes in
home rule and the control OF their own affairs
by the people OF a vicinity.
Here the Democratic party OF the nation
declared more strongly in favor OF the adj
mission of Utah than of any other terri
tory, for this dependency is better pre-
pared IN the matters of necessary popuia-
ton and resources" than any other of the
subject colonies. In the light OF this decla-
ration, can any man continue to be a Dem
ocrat while opposing statehood for Utahl
He certainly cannot regard himself as in
good standing while taking issue with his
party. both local and national on a vital
question of policy and principle as this is.
II Democrat can oppose statehood for
this territory, and maintain his fealty and
standing in the party. he can oppose any
other or all planks in the party platform
without ceasing TO be a Democrat.
There is another feature Of this ques-
ton, and one which should guide Democ-
raoy, even If the national party had oean
silent on the subject; that is, Utah's fitness
for statehood. The territory possesses all
the requisite qualifications for statehood,
and has many Of those qualifications in
larger degree than any other dependency
which has been emancipated ii a quar-
ter Of century. Her population is
greater than that of several states
is more, in fact, than that of
three states combined. Her people
are overwhelmingly of the peaceful,
lawa0ving and law-abiding character.
There is less crime in Uteh, in proportion
to population, than in any other state or
territory west of the Missouri river, whilst
few OF the older states have better record
in this respect. There is absolute peace
from one years end to another. The laws
are enforced easily because Of the public
sentiment which is steadily on the side of
obedience to the constituted authority. The
people are also largely permanent residents,
owning their homes. and interested in the
development of resources, in improvement
and in the general welfare. The popula-
tion is Of character to make government
firm, powerful and safe. In the matter Of
wealth, it viii not be denied that the pec-
pie OF Utah are well prepared for taking
on the increased financial burdens
which statehood involves. In addition
TO the greater aggregate of wealth,
property is more equally distri-
buted here than in any other
commonwealth in the United States.
There are very few rich men aud very few
poor ones, the masses Of the permanent
population being self-supporting and COM
Portable
Ifever territory was well prepared for
statehood-well qualified for taking on the
larger responsibilities and the more impor-
tant duties involved in self-government, it
is Utah. The Democratic party, here and
the Democracy of the nation understand
the situation. hence both have declared in
favor of the admission of the territory at
the earliest practicable moment. NO man,
much less & Democrat, can find good
ground upon which TO oppose statehood.