Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-16
NO CAUSE FOR A PANIC,

One OF the leading journals In Ameri-
ca asks the question whether the people
OF this country are not terribly subject
TO widespread hysteria. There are
certainly indications that this Is a
fact, the symptoms clearly showing its
prevalence. just now there is danger Of
II in this State and particularly in this
city. A smallpox scare is being raised,
for what purpose we do not care at
present 10 discuss, but one object Is
evidently to force upon the people Of
Salt Lake, and ultimately of all Utah,
the repulsive and oppressive system Of
compulsory vaccination.
II appears, from the reports of ply
sicians, that there have been some mild
cases Of smallpox in Sanpete county,
and in one or two places in other coun-
ties. Also that there Is one case Of the
same kind Guaranteed In this city.
II the diagnosis is correct, the disease
Is in its mildest form. II Is varioloid.
Adequate measures have been taken to
prevent contagion. There is little, IL
any, danger Of its spread. 1t is proper
that the strictest precautions in this
direction should be observed.
There are strong doubts among people
who are familiar with the dread dis
eas-smallpox, that there Is single
case In the State. They aver that the
eruption which has caused so much ex-
element Is only a skin disease. Also
that the doctors who have pronounced
It smallpox are not personally acqualnt-
ed with that complaint but Judge from
the symptoms and the books and reports
from others. We mention this not as
our opinion but as statements coming
from the county where the excitement
commenced.
Whatever foundation there may be to
these views, We think II is highly proper
and commendable 10 take steps for the
protection Of our children and OF the
public generally, aud that all available
preventlves should be utilized. So far
We are with the health officers and the
school authorities. But we do not join
IN the effort to frighten the people OF
this city into universal vaccination. We
do not believe that the conditions justi-
fy any such proceeding.
At the last session Of the Legislature,
a determined attempt was made to Sc
cure the passage OF a law for COM
pulscry vaccination. 1t failed because
OF the popular protest against 1t. There
is now a scheme on foot to enforce this
obnoxious regulation without the au-
thority Of law. We warn It's promoters
that II will be vigorously resisted.
What they could not accomplish
through the Legislature, they must not
try TO force upon the public by power
they assume TO exercise. The people
have rights as well as public officers
have. The liberties Of citizens must
and shall be maintained.
We do not care today 20 enter into
tie dispute as to whether there is a
case OF smallpox in this city or not,
nor as 10 the merits or dement's Of
vaccination. There are potent argu-
ments on both sides Of the latter ques-
ton. The assertion made by certain
doctors that no intelligent person dis
putes that vaccination is a thing great
ly 10 be desired" Is q reflection upon
a number Of the brightest members Of
the faculty In both hemspheres. Facts
and figures are numerously cited to
show the uselessncss us well as the
vIleness Of the vaccination practice.
But We will not take up that point at
present, except to say that II Utah. as
alleged, is the only State IN the Union
where vaccination Is not made COM
pulsory,' the fact that there Is no
State in the Union which Is freer from
smallpox. Is a pretty strong argument
against the theory Of the compulsory
vaccination promoters.
What We object 10, on behalf OF The
people, is the attempt to compel those
who do not believe In the practice OF
Injecting into the veins OF a pure and
healthy child, filthy virus from q dis,
eased COW or human being, to submit,
to The demands Of persons who are de.
termined TO exercise authority with
which they are not legally endowed,
Let those who believe in vaccination
practice or submit 10 It II they choose.
Out keen your hands of those who We.
aemenily object 20 II and refuse to per.
nit you 10 tamper with their chlldrenl
That is the issue today. Also. in order
W enforce this tyrannlcal measure, stop