Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-07
A PLEA FOR FAIR PLAY.

A PLEA FOR FAIR PLAY.
The Laiter-dsy Saints zoo he south
eastern counties Of the state Of Idaho
are being placed BOO a very un'avorahlc
light before the people ~ the United
states. To read The crufons Of anu-
Mormon politicians and papers. one
unaoQuainted with he facts In the
case would imagine that those people
are Of a very low grade OF character,
immoral liccut0us, clannish and alto
gether under the domination o. what is
denominated the Mormon hierarchy"
A political faction 200 that state has
been organized FOR the express purpose
~ excluding them from the privileges Of
citizens depriying them ~ the clcc-
live franchise and the right 90 hold
Office, and degrading them 20 the coudi-
lion Of political pariahs
The truth IS that they are. as rule.
most industrious, temperate progress
slve and religious people engaged chief
" in agriculture and stock.raising.
peaooahle. hroad-mindod ready TO rec
ognlze the civil and religious rights
Of all people Of every denomination and
party. and anxious 10 develop the re-
sources Of The country IN which they
live and TO promote the general welfare
Their schoolhouses ana places of wor-
ship are patterns for others to follow
and their academies are not evcellcd
either IN buildings or courses Of study.
or the proficiency Of preceptors Bon any
other portions Of the commonwealth.
They mind their own business. are
growing in the requirement OF property,
and IN politics they follow their own
choice Of parties and Of candidates
Some Of the leading men Of their faith |
take an active part Ia cigil and pollil-
cal affairs, as Democrats or Republic !
cans or members Of other organizations |
and all arc absolutely free and indie !
pendent as TO choice IN such matters
The charges that are made Of their
subordination to ecclesiastical diciaiors
are entirely without foundation In |
truth, nor are any proofs offered by |
their sccusers to substantiate that |
which is alleged. The very individuals
who make great cutlery abou, |
Church influence" have sought in vain
TO obtain that which they decry. and |
failing in their efforts. have become |
enraged and hence the insonsate denun.
cations they put forth. The people |
who are thus DETAINED naturally resent /
This misrepresentation. but say very
little about Il. only now and then some
OF the newspapers published in their
vicinity make vigorous protest. such
as that which We copy below from the
Rexburg, Fremont County. Current
Journal
We may say IN passing that the sem
rational rumors sent out concerning
polygamy are Of similar character So
other groundless accusations. There
are a few families in that region whose
plural relations were formed many
years ago, but they cut scarcely any nw
merical figure in the total population.
They are few and far between. and
there Is no evidence of any such ALLAN
,es Of recent date In the entire State Of
Idaho.
These remarks are simply a prelude 10
the efforts o. the paper we have named
10 set forth a plea for fair play. and In
vindcation Of people who are good
and bright and patriotic as any 10 be
found within the boundaries Of The
United States. The Cuuent-Journal
SAYS
we feel that we speak Tor an the
MormOns when We ray that we regret
exceedingly this constant agitation
against us We desire 10 I've in
peace with our fellow citizens ana
humbly take our TART iu promoting
the Interest of ,he state We are
anxious TO develop patriotism and /
the highest degree of citizenship N
there Is any good which other scots and
crceds have attained that have moi
been given US We shall be glad 90 adou
Il as our own. II there are higher ed-
ueaiional Ideals than ours. nothing win
give us greater pleasure than to adopi
them. IN the homes OF those who can
see no good In ours. are purcr bet them
come and I've among us. and show ht
their example what they mean hy the
phrase American home" as distinct
nom those we live iu, n their politics
are cleaner than ours. lct them become
our instructor. Such help as this wo
would welcome gladly 10 given with a
iesire 10 make better ~ me- But when
hey Islander us. shut our delegates out
u The convention, and adopt platform
nat calls Tor our disiranChisement. We
protest against their action. and shall
use our best efforts 90 defeat Them.
We long ior this strife to cease n
'etards The growth of uur state ana
inders The development of high c.t.z,u-
MP The Mormon people are hold hack
md hlndere1 90 ihc development IN
heif highest possibilities because of
his unreasonable prejudice against
hem. Lct Us hope tb3t This canraiQr
hall settle once for au their risht to
itand side by side with the rest of Inc 2
iuztns in Idaho fof me Advancement d
y the best Interests of The state in a
very line o. activity"