The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-23
DENOUNCE MORMONS
Utah Democrats Issue an Adj
dress to Voters.
Interference in Politics by Nor
mon Church Condemned.
KEEP THE OLD TICK EFT.
The Objectionable State Ticket
is Not Withdrawn.
KEEP THE OLD TICKET.
Democrats Urged to Read and
Support the Declaration.

SALT LAKE. Utah. Oct. 23.-The
Democratic State convention met yes
terday morning in pursuance of a spe-
cial call issued by the State committee
for the purpose Of deciding upon some
plan of action in the matter of the in
terference of the Mormon church in
the political affairs of the Territory.
The immediate cause of this extraor-
binary meeting was the action of the
presidents, Joseph T. Smith and
George Q. Cannon, OF the Mormon
church, who, at meeting of
the priesthood, recently censured two
mem oers # the church, B. H. Roberts
and Nose. Thatcher, for accepting
nominations for Congress and the
United States Senate on the Demo-
cratic ticket without asking permission
of the church authorities The con-
venti0n was composed of d majority
of MUrmOn3, but they, as we'll as the
Gentle members, were loud and al
most savage in their denun citation of
the action of Cannon and Smith in
the priesthood meeting
A considerable nun Der of the mem
bets favored Withdrawing the Demo-
cratic ticket altogether and organizing
an anti-statehOOd party.
At the evening session the commit
tee on address presented a very
lengthy report, the larger part of
which was review of the religion and
politics of the people of Utah from the
first settlement OF tbs valley up to the
present time. The address closes as
follows:
We declare 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 allegiance, politi-
cally, is to his country.
That no church, ecclesiastical body,
nor spiritual adviser should encroach
upon the political rights of the indi-
/ vidual.
That in free country, no man, nor
body of men, can with safety to the
state, use TIE name or the power of
any religious sect or socie Y to infu-
ence or control the elective franchise.
That no citizen, by reason of his as
ISOLATION with any chnrch. can be
ab5olved from his duty to the state,
either in times of war or times of
peace, without the consent of the
state.
That all men should be, and of right
are. free to think. free to act, free to
speak, ana ffetA TO vote, WlInn ~ rear,
molestation, intimidation or undue in
fuence.
We, therefore, in the most solemn
manner. say that we will not be dc
tated to. interfered with or hndered
in our political duties by those selected
to minister to Us the consultations of
GOSPEL.
We call upon the Democrats of
Utah, men, women and children, and
all other people who ymnathize with
our efforts to secure political freedom,
to assemble in every hamlet through
out the territory On the evening of
Wednesday, October 80, at their usual
places of meeting. then and there to
read this declaration, to listen to such
remarks as may be properly made in
connection herewith, and to solemnly
/ consecrate themselves, their efforts,
their property and all that they hold
dear. if need be, to this cause of hui
] man liberty.
And this cause, with the help of
/ the One who holds the universe in the
hollow of HIS hand, we viii ever adj
/ vance and maintain.