The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-14
THOSE GHOST DANCERS.

A strong effort is being made to
arouse factional and sectarian preJu-
dices in this state for the obvious pur-
pose of reviving old issues and bring
ing up the old fight.
For many months our morning con-
temporary has been stirring up the
smouldering embers of ancient hate,
making all sorts of accusations against
people of the dominant church here.
describing them as law-breakers and
pledge breakers, charging them with
dishonesty and immortality, blaming the
many for the alleged misconduct OF the
few. trying to create for itself FOL
lowing at home and sympathy
abroad.
Its policy has been one of rule or
ruin. 1t has assumed dictatorial airs
with all parties, scolded this one,
threatened that maligned men who
questioned its authority or denounced
its bulldozing methods, and hurled
coarse epithets and billingsgate at con-
temporaries until the atmosphere was
filed with the smoke and smell of
sulphur. Since it could not play the
lover it is determined TO act the villain;
and what it failed to accomplish by
protestations of friendship it would
now achieve by intimidation.
Our neighbours present pose as a new
evangel is rendered somewhat ridicul-
Gus in view of its inconsistent record
during the past few years. After sup
porting John Henry Smith for the
presidency of the constitutional con-
vention, it opposed B. H. Roberts for
congress. Having denounced the
Democrats OF Utah for objecting to
the use of religious meetings for politi-
cal purposes. it now declares that the
Mormon people are and always have
been political serfs. 1t was very solicit
tous about the morals of congress be-
ing contaminated by the admission of
a polygamist, but maintained a wilful
silence through two legislative sessions
concerning a polygamist at the head of
a leading educational institution Of the
state. The morals of the students are
not as sensitive as are those of con-
gressmen, perhaps. 1t has insisted
upon high churchmen having a right to
go to members Of the legislature, telling
them that a certain mans candidacy
for the senate would be detrimental to
the church, yet it has denied the right
of others to express even their indi-
vidual preferences. It has supported
polygamists on the Republican ticket
while assailing Democrats who hap
pened to be involved in the same social
system peculiar to Utah. 1t has
doubled on every policy it ever adj
Tanced, national or local, and, in its
declaration Of war on the Mormon peo-
pie made yesterday morning it is with
out the sympathy or confidence of
four-dfths of the -AIormons Of the
state.
8 o @
No one who has the welfare of the
commonwealth at heart wishes to see
the old conflict renewed. 1t viii help
nothing ana Will hurt d great deal.
What could be more unfortunate on the
eve of a great Industrial and mining re-
vival in the state that to humor this
disgruntled boss and his personal organ
in resurrecting old differences and fash
ioning bugaboos to brighten capital and
immigration from our borders? II isl
enough to tolerate such a. nuisance
without encouraging it.
And, with all due respect to our even !
ing contemporary, it is largely to blame
for the disturbance has made the
mistake of taking the Tribune TOO ser !
iously The News has gone about with
a chip on its shoulder, spelling for a
I'D ~. ,r l,arvtca for r1,,aa r,,Cr,+l,.-
or more And the readers of both pa
pers have been treated to a. never ceas-
ing clash of arms as the stone weapons
of another age ratified upon the rawhide
shields that ought TO be hanging up as
relics in some curiosity shop The
News and the Tribune are at it AGAIN
To read them one would scarcely mag
inc that the world had moved for ff- |
Teen years. Ard yet there has been no
progress like that in Utah. In ten years /
the changes have been marvellous The
people have grown broader, more lib |
eral. more tolerant. They are OUTLYING
these conditions with which mankind
found fault No reasonable man. with
a, knowledge OF the world and of HUI
man nature, ever expected domestic re
lations which have been sanctioned by
the church and permitted in the commu-
nifty for q half century, to be severed a
once. Social and religious reforms are
not brought about with a snap of the
finger and a word of command
1t takes time TO change mems ways
of living and thinking. Ii is done by
social. commercial and political inter
in this state during the ten years last
past. No driving or scolding could have
accomplished it.
Mormons and Gentiles are working
side by side They know each other
better than they used to, and trust
each other more. They are mutually
interested in the growth and develop |
ment of the state. They are equally |
Disguised with the ghost dance in