The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1895-10-15
A GRAVE CRISIS.

Looking at the present condition OF
things political, from any point what
soever, the people of Utah are passing
a grave crisis.
On the action OF the people of Utah
depends the veal OF woe of this COM
monWealth for at least one
generation. There is no use dis
cussing the fact that whether
intentionally or unintentionally there
has an impression gone out to the peo-
pie that it is the desire of some MEM
bers of high standing in the Mormon
church that Utah will 60 republican in
the coming election. This impression
ia being taken advantage of by
many church members who desire
to throw the election to the republican
party.
We will say right now that President
Woodruff is not responsible for any of
the rumors that are being so indus
triouslY circulated by our republican
friends. That of which the democrats
complain is the fact that pettifoggipg
bishops and other high ecclesissts ale
taking advantage of and misconstruiDg
words which were perhaps not intended
for any Interior political motive, and
spreading the idea among the people
that it is the wish of the first presidency
of the Mormon church that Utah go re.
publican in the coming election.
The people of Utah should under
stand one thing, that the eyes of the
people of the United States are upon
them and that upon the course that
the people take within the next three
weeks depends the admission OF Utah
into the union as free and independ-
ent state. We do not mean that Utah
must necessarily go democratic. We
desire to convey the impression that
Utah must prove to the nation that
she is absolutely and forever free from
political dictation by the Mormon
church as an organization or from in
dividual members thereof-free from
any ecclesiastical influence or domina-
ton. The interference with the political
beliefs of the people in any form what
soever must be discontinue
The rumors that have been circulated |
throughout the territory have aroused |
the antagonism OF the old liberal party.
Hundreds of expressions are heard
that indicate that the old animosities
are not buried. That it the members
Of the old liberal party are convinced
hat absolute sincerity has not pre-
,ailed among the Mormon people they
Will desert the old parties and return
he old fight. Republicans and demo-
rats alike cannot afford to encourage
y any act of theirs the return to con-
itions that have been an unmeasurei
1rse to the peace and material pro-
ress of our fair territory. +
In the presence of these dangers f
is not desirable that the people a
lould vote other than their honest =
'litical convictions. It is desirable, O
,weyer, that those who are continu- l,
ly claiming that the priesthood de c,
res the people of Utah to vote the re- O.
lblican ticket shall forever close Of
cir mouths on that subject. We are u
It now speaking to the people in a st
rtisan spirit. We are speaking as -
6 who loves Utah and her people b,
thont any reference whatever to ri
litics. We are speaking to them as =,
riend and as one who regards their 81
flare IS most precious and of para da
unit Importance.
We say to the people of Utah vote
n honest convictions irrespective of
ether or no this or that high church
q Is a republican or is a democrat,
all will be we'll. =