Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-23
POLITICS IN UTAH.
Democrats Hot Over Alleged
Mormon Dictation.
MEET IN CONTENTION TO PROTEST,

Interference-Sequel to the Recent Re-
ported Action of the Priesthood-Ad-
dress Adopted Declaring for Absolute
Freedom of the Citizen from Every Sor.
of Bar to Free Political Expression.
| SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 23.-The Demo
| cratic territorial convention, which was
| held at Ogden Sept. s. was rcconvened here
yesterday. All the officers of the original
convention held at Ogden were made per.
manent. The credentials committee Te-
ported all the counties represented with
| the exception Of Grand, Garfield and Pi-
! ute. The convention was important be-
cause it was held to take action regarding
the recently alleged interference of the
Mormon church in the political affairs Of
the territory, which has been detailed in
| these dispatches. a committee on ad-
| dress was appointed, and while it was out
| the convention put in the time listening
to speeches. The address was not ready
until the evening session, when it was
| read and adopted.
Church Must "Keep or the Grass.r
The address begins with the charge
(after giving the history of the religion
and politics Of Utah from the first settle
ment to the present time) that some indi-
viduals in the Mormon church are using
church influence to further the cause of
| the Republican party, and that they Sc
| cured the success of that party at the last
election. The church itself is not accused
of interfering. The address then proceeds:
I'VE declare the truth to be that man may
fay- &c
tatcs; that no state nor political party has
| the right to interfere with this great privi-
lcge That mans first allegiance polit-
ically is to his country; that no church,
| ecclesiastical body, nor spiritual adviser
should cncroach upon the politica! rights
| Of the individual.
No Control or Dictation.
THAT in a free country no man nor
body of men can with safety to the state
| ,Isa the name or the power of any religious
| sect or society to influence or control the
| elective franchise; that n trust is imposed
| upon each citizen in a free country to act
| politically upon his own judgm mt and
| absolutely free from control or dictatiOn,
| ecclesiastical or otherwise. No party can
| be required to obtain the consent of any
church or leader thereof before selecting
| its candidate for public office. That all
men should be and of right are free to
| think; free to act: free TO speak, and free
| to vote without fear, Elolcstation, intimi-
| dation or undue influence.
Declaration Against Interference.
"Thus believing, wherever designing
| men have seized upon the cloak Of religion
| to hide from view their nefarious designs,
and while appealing TO mans spiritual
| faith have sought to control his political
| action for selfish ends, the Democratic
party since its organization has denounced
| such course. 1t has declared in the last,
and it declares now, for every mans po-
litical freedom, whatever may be the gov
ernmcntal views Of those who guide his
spiritual welfare. We therefore, in the
most solemn manner, say that we will not
be dictated to, interfcrcd with or hindered
in our political duties by those selected to
minister to us the consultations of gospel.
| Call FOR General Protest.
| "We call upon the Democrats of Utah,
| men, women and children, and all other
pcopl, who sympathizc with our efforts to
secure political freedom, to assemble in
! every hamlet throughout the territory on
| the evening Of Wednesday, the 3oth day
of October, 1895, at their usual places OF
meeting, then and there to read this dec.
laration; to listen to such remarks as may
| be properly made in connection there
! with, and to solcmnly consecrate them
| selves, their efforts, their property and
all that they hold dear, if need be, to this
cause of human liberty And this cause
with the help of the One who holds the
universe in the hollow of His hand, We
Will ever advance and maintain