Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-11-22
MORMON INTENTIONS.


the mistaken comparison made BY Lord
Iosebsry botyeen the 'Mornons' and
the Beers, makes this remarks
ut was Of course Ahe original lnten-
ton vi the 'Mormons' to establish an
Independent government but no shch
government was ever Acknowledged by
the United States
II IL almost discouraging TO one who
understands the history Of the Nor
mon" people and their settlement Of
this once barren region, TO tee the lack
Of understanding betrayed by nearly
all newspaper writer's on The Nor
mon" question, after all that has been
published to enllghten them. II Is
very rare indeed that tny Of them
gives an accurate statement in refer
ence to mormon" history or Mormon
doctrine. Even when they evidently
Intend TO be fair and impartial, signs
Of their transformation appear almost
Invariably.
There Is nothing clearer than the fact
that the Mormon" people, with Presl-
dent Brigham Young at their head,
when they came to this spot which was
then Mexican territory, came as cIl-
zens Of the United states, holding feally
@ the government, and desiring no
other. While the Pioneers We're blazing
The way across the plains TO the valley
OF The Great salt Lake, they carried
with them the flag Of our country
which they hoisted soon after arrival;
OF the same time the Mormon" Bat
TALON. consisting Of 800 volunteers, were
marching towards Mexico as soldiers in
the service OF the United states
The first political &c, Of the Nor
mon people was to organize a provl-
sional local government, under the title
Of the State Of Deseret, with a constltu.
ton founded on the pattern Of The ex-
listing States and seeking admission
into the Union. There was no thought
Of IAN independent government"
There was no intention 60 detach them
gelves from the United States. While
that which Is now called Utah was part
OF the Mexican domain, The Latter-day
Saints proclaimed themselves American
citizens and took possession Of the soil
In that capacity. Their application at
once for statehood in the Federal Union,
should be a sufficient answer TO the
stories that have been told about their
intention 70 establish IAN independent
government"
II the Denver Post was properly
posted on Mormon" affairs, it would
know that the destiny Of the Latter
day Saints, according to their creed. is
essentially associated with that OF the
United States, BY revelation they
understand that the Constitution Of our
country was inspired Of God, and that
the founders OF this nation We're wise
men raised up by His power for the
very purpose OF establishing this free
government, IN which civil and religious
liberty should be guaranteed and mnin-
tained. Also that II is part OF their
faith that they or their p0sterity will
be the instruments IN the hands Of the
Almighty, In the preservation Of that
Constitution, In its spirit and intent,
when It becomes in danger Of destruc-
ton by demagogues and asplrants for
unrighteous dominion
The Mormon" people have never had
any other ensign than the flag Of their
country. They brought the Stars and
Stripes 10 this region. They have rail-
lied to It's support at every public op-
portunity. The yalor and patriotism Of
their gallant sons have been displayed
before the world In the war with Spain
and In the maintenance Of American
sovereignty In the Philippine islands
There 10 no more loyal State IN the
American Union than the State Of Utah,
and while the Mormon" people owe
the most feryent allegiance TO God as
the ruler Of the universe and the object
OF their worship, they are United states
citizens In the fullest sense OF the term.
and there Is nothing in their religion In
compatible with this position. They
who are most faithful 10 God will De-
found to have the strongest fidelity TO
the government under which they 1--we