The herald., 1895-10-23
UTAH'S CONVENTION MEETS
To Protest Against Church Con-
troll of Politics
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE
Declares for Every Mans Political
Freedom
Utah's Democrats Pledge Themselves to
Action Unhndered by Dctation from
Leaders of the Mormon Church
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire
SALT LAKE, Oct. 22.-The Demo-
cratic territorial convention held at
Ogden on September 9Th re-convened
here today. The call was read. stating
the purpose for which the delegates were
called together. All the officers of the
original convention were made perman-
ent, o. W. Powers of the Democratic
campaign committee being appointed
chairman. committee ON credentials
was appointed; also COMMITTEES COM
posed of one member from each county,
to form ulate an address to the people.
At the afternoon session the credentials
committee reported all counties repre-
sented, with the exception of Garfield,
Grand and Piute.
The report of the committee on ad
dresses was the next order of business,
and while waiting for the report the
time was taken up in speech making.
The re port was not ready at 5 o'clock and
an adjournment was taken until o'clock.
At the evening session the committee
on address presented a very lengthy re-
port. the larger part of which was a re-
vival of the politics and religion of the
people of Utah from the first settlement
OF this valley up to the present time. 1t
piete union of church and state, and
gives an account of the struggle between
the Mormon and Literal partiet. All .h :,
facts relating to the division of the pee
pie on national party lines are detailed.
The history of the parties during the
past three years, with the relation of the
church to the state, is brought up to the
time of the recent priesthood meeting.
While no charge is made against the
church itself, an open charge is made
that some individuals in the Mormon
church are using church influence to
further the cause of the Republican
party, and that such influence resulted in
the last election.
Th address closes as follows: We de-
clare the truth to be:
That man may worship his Maker as
his conscience dictates.
That no state nor political body has
the right to interfere with this great
privilege. That mans first allegia
politically is to his country.
IT hat no church, ecclesiastical body nor
spiritual adviser should encroach upon
the political rights of the Individual:
That in free country no man nor body
of men can. with safety to the state use
the name or power of any religious sect
or society to influence or control the elec-
tive franchise.
That trust is imposed upon each citl-
zen in a free country to act politically
upon his own Judgment and absolutely
free from control or dictation, ecciesias-
tical or otherwise.
That no political party can be required
to obtain the consent OF any church or
the leader thereof, before selecting it's
candidates for public Office.
That no citizen by reason of his associa.
tion with any church can be absolved
from his duty to the state either in time )
Of nt will
Of the state.
That all men should be, ,end of right are
free to think, free to act, free to speak
andfee to vote, without fear, molesta-
tion, Intimidation or undue influence.
Thus believing, whenever 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 direct his political
action for selfish ends, the Democratic
party since its organization has de-
nounced such a course. 1t has declared
In the past and 1t declares now, for every
mans political freedom, whatever may
be the governmental views of those who
guide his spiritual welfare.
We therefore, in the most solemn man.
ner, say that we will not be dictated to IN
terfereo with or hindered in our political
duties by those select I'D to minister 10 the
Conso'u.iuns OF gospeI.
land, to the people we make our appeal.
The church being the source of mans
religion, to the church we appeal when
we so desire with regard to matters affect
ing the conscience.
We call upon the Democrats OF Utah,
men, women and children, and all other
people VIII o sympatnize with our efforts
to secure political freedom, to mble
IN every hamlet throughout the territory
on the evening of Wednesday, the 30th day
of October, 1896, 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
Herewith and then solemnly consecrate
themselves, their efforts their property
and all that they hold dear, il need be,
TO this cause OF human liberty
And this cause, with She help of the
One who holds the universe in the hol-
low OF lis hand, we will ever advance
and maintain.