The true northerner., 1895-10-25
POLITICS in UTAH.
Democrats Hot Over Alleged
Mormon Dictation.
MEET IN CONVENTION TO PROTEST,
And Declare Their Opposition % Church
Interference-seQuel TO the Recent Re
ported Action of the Priestbood--Ad-
dress Adopted Declaring for Absolute
Freedom Of the Citizen from Every Sort
of Bar tn Free Political Expression.

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 23.-The Demo
cratic territorial convention, which was
held at Ogden Sept. 8, was reconvened here
yesterday All the officers of the original
convention held at Ogden were made per-
manent. The credentials committee re-
ported all the counties represented with
the exception of Grand. Garfield and Pi-
ute. The convention was important be-
cause 1t 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
read and adopted.
Church Must "Keep on the Grass.P
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:
"We declare the truth to be that man may
worship his Maker as his conscience die
tates; that no state nor political party has
the right to interfere with this great privi-
lege. That mans first allegiance polit-
ically is to his country; that no church,
.-s, haxl ieif nj o1xvic cnV
should encroach upon the political rights
of the individual.
No Control or Dictation.
THAT in free country no man nor
body of men can with safety to the state
use the name or the power of any religious
sect or society to influence or control the
elective franchise; that a trust is imposed
upon each citizen in free country to act
politically upon his own Judgment 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 molestation, 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 man sSpiritual
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
ernmental views of those who guide his
spiritual welfare. We therefore, in the
most solemn manner, say that we will not
be dictated to- interfered with or hindered
I'm our political duties by those selected to
minister 10 us the consultations Of gospel.
Call for General Protest.
1--WE call upon the Democrats of Utah,
men, women and children, and all other
people who sympathize with our efforts TO
secure political freedom, to assemble in
every hamlet throughout the territory on
the evening of Wednesday, the 30th day
of October, 1885, 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 solemnly consecrate them
selves, their efforts, their property and
all that they hold dear, II 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"