The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-08
REPUBLICAN INCONSISTENCIES

I
as badly needed as now, the Reoub-
lican party deprecated any resentment
of ecclesiastical intermeddiing in po-
litical affairs, on the theory that asi-
taticn of such questions would retard
the growth of the commonwealth.
These old conditions are passing
away gradually, and quite as rapidly
as one has reason to expect, they said;
! and their organ supported Republican
candidates who were polygamists, and
opposed Democrats in the same condi-
ton, solely because they were Demo
! Gratis; insisting that the manifesto OF
1890 had been las SACREDLY KEPT
| BY THIS PEOPLE AS IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN KEPT BY ANY OTHER
/ PEOPLE;" that existing relations were
not necessarily severed, as the pronun-
ciamento WENT ONLY TO THE
POINT OF PLURAL MARRIAGES,
which had been taught as a holy sac
rament." and that. in view Of the pc
ouliar conditions in Utah. and in order
to let time solve the problem that moth
ing else could solve, it was wrong TO
raise any disturbance whatever.
When the reconvened convention of
1886 demonstrated against what was
considered direct infringement of po-
litical rights by leading officials of the
dominant church, the Republican organ
objected TO such remonstrance. on the
ground that any agitation of the kind
would injure the good name of the peo-
nle ana the development of the sec
ton. 1t said:
Nov, is it not clear that what the
Democracy have done will have the di-
rect effect of keeping immigrants from
coming here?"
And further along this journalistic
hypocrite, itself fawning at the feet of
priesty influence. said: We think so,
and we think the decent people of this
territory may hold the Democracy
justly responsible for causing the
awakening of UNWORTHY SUSPIC-
IONS AGAINST US ALL. the result of
which must be retarding of our
growth, the keeping back of worthy
eraigrants Gnlmigrants), the withdraw
ing from Us of that confidence which
was swiftly being established"
1t didn't oppose Mr.. Roberts then be-
cause he was a Dolygamist. 1t had
nothing to say against John Henry
Smith on that score 1t knew as much
then as it knows now, but it felt diff
ferent: that is ALL 1t didn't want such
issues aired because of the financial
effect it would have on the community.
Here is another plea it made three
years ago:
They (the Democrats of Utah) have
done what they could to spread dis
trust of THIS PEOPLE throughout the
United States: they have done what
they could to alarm the country and to
make the people of the United states
generally believe that when the Peoples
party disbanded, and they filed off on
party lines, they were not sincere, that
all they need is a hint from the first
presidency OF the Mormon church to
make them forget their pledges and
their sense of honor and their native
manhood. WE THINK IT ALL AN
OUTRAGE"
But today the Republican organ is
spreading distrust" broadcast. As an
evidence of the effect it is producing.
our contemporary boastfally said in
yesterdays paper:
In the Inter Ocean in big scare head
lines are the words: Utah has its
wees" Another conflict between the
Gentiles and the MormOns. "Polygamy
is the issue" Revival of the prac-
tice branded as open and defiant"
Then follows long article on the
statement of the presbytery. 1t is not
necessary to review it, but why should
the Mormon people permit this ar
raignment of Utah and her people
merely because a few men are deter
mined to be law unto themselves?
Has our solicitous neighbor gone
back on this people?" Has it been
warmed into a new life on the country
mans hearth like the serpent that
turned to bite the children of that
household? There is something 50 ut
tcrly contemplate in the course pur-
sued by the Republican organ since the
division on national lines in Utah that
words are inadequate in defining it.
Had it raised the same objection to b.
H. Roberts in 1895 that it raises today,
and his relations are the same. it might
be entitled TO more serious considera-
ton. Had it opposed the nomination and
election of polygamists to office in 1899
1851, there would be less of suspicion
attached to its present simulated indig-
nation.
The trouble with the Republican
party Of Utah is that it is trying to be
all things to all men. The chief trouble
with the organ of that party is that
it never comes into court with clean
bends