The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-04
FOR OR AGAINST STATEHOOD.

The Democratic party has declared
unequivocally that it is in favor of
statehood This was done in public
convention. and the declaration was
made officially in behalf of the Demo-
Gratis Of Utah. Any attempt on the
part Of individual Democrats, or by
the Republican party or its leaders, to
made statehood possible for Utah is
now opposed to it, may be and should
be regarded as false and absurd.
There are only two alleged reasons
set forth why Utah should not at once
enter upon the duties and privileges
of a free state in this glorious Union.
One is the increased expense: the other
is the influence of the dominant church
in political affairs. We do not be-
lieve that there is enough of objec-
ton in either allegation to amount to
a reason for voting against the state
Constitution. Both are exaggerated
and each is insufficient to weigh
against the advantages to be secured.
The Herald has already given figures
which have been given, in circular
issued for the purpose of prejudicing
the public mind, as an objection
against statehood. 1t has been clearly
shown that the pecuniary advantages
to be gained under a state govern
ment will more than balance the esti-
mated expenses, and in addition there
will be the vast land grants to the
state, amounting to about eight mil
lion acres.
But even supposing statehood would
really cost something, is not the liberty
to be gained and the influence it will
bring worth a vast deal more than
the expense it is asserted it would
entail? Ever since the first settlement
of this region the majority of the peo-
pie have been struggling for the free
dom and the power which belong to
sovereign statehood. They did not care
for the cost, they simply longed after
the liberty it would establish. Shall
we now play the part of the coward
and the mercenary. by refusing the
prize when it is within our grasp on
the ground that it would cost some
thing?
But about the Church influence"
which has arisen as an issue once
more. Is not that sufficient reason
for voting against statehood? Ger
tainly not Whatever of that influence
remains can be as we'll and better
overcome under state government as
in our present crippled political condi-
ton. The very constitution which
must be rejected if we reject statehood
provides against the intermingling of
religion and politics If we go into the
Union it will be under pledge from
people of all parties and all creeds
that, There shall be no union of
church and state; neither shall the
church dominate the state or inter-
fere with its functions
What is there in a state government,
with such an understanding and agree
ment, which would bring greater peril
than now exists as to the interference
of a church with the affairs of the
commonwealth? There would be just
as much force to oppose such influ-
ences as we have now, indeed there
would be much more. The guaranty
of the state constitution would be
paramount and all classes would be
bound to respect it as the supreme law
The safest guard against both al
legged dangers-the estimated expense
and the fear of church influence-will
be Democratic administration of
public affairs. Economy in govern
ment is a fundamental doctrine of
Democracy. Division of church and
state is equally a Democratic principle
Both have been emphasized by recent
developments. Vote the Democratic
ticket, and each alleged objection will
be met and solved. A vote for Demo-
cratic statehood means vote against
extravaganza in public affairs and
against that interference by church Of
ficials in political matters which has
occasioned the latest unpleasantness.
All the people Of Utah should vote,
For the Constitution. Yes no mat
ter to what party they may belong.
And every citizen who has been in
huenced by the objections raised,
whether on the score of the cost or on
the fear of church influence, will help
to meet each and overcome both by
voting for the state officers and the
legislative members whose names are
on the Democratic ticket. Vote for the
and the Democratic ticket
and ensure the full liberties of citi-
zens, economy in the public service,
and the entire separation of the affairs
of church and state.