Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1906-08-09

No one can be found so silly as
to stand in the open and defend the
policy of church dominated politics.
The founders of this republic wisely
attempted to prevent any union or
mix-up of church and state, and
succeeded, except in comparatively
isolated local instances. Teachings
of the Christ and of history condemn
the union, which has ever resulted
in a corrupt church and tyrannical
government.
That the Mormon bosses, as
church officials, deriving their in
fluence from that force alone, have
displayed pcrnicious activity in the
politics of Utah, here in Idaho, in
every state where they have any
considerable strength, there is not
the shadow of doubt. In fact, no
one with any regard for his rcputs-
ton for veracity denies this patent
truth. On this point one sees in
the dishonest partisan press apol-
ogies and evasions, both bunglingly
awkward and insincerc; but the fact
stands boldly forth, undenied and un-
dcniable.
The church of Latter Day Saints
is shifty and thrifty. 1t is a
splendidly disciplined force; no
where can better example Of
shrewd, forceful leaders ruling alb
solutely the ignorant mob through
the combined influence of religious
superstition and a system of mate
rial, earthly reward and punishment.
So it is that an cdict issued from
the bee hive temple in Salt Lake is
implicitly obeycd, be it in reference
to religious, political or domestic
affairs. Having no love of country,
no reverence for our government,
these church bosses are welded to
neither school of politics which our
republican institutions and ideals
have developed. They Ego in for"
politics for what there is in it-for
the church, for themselves. Nat
urally, therefore, they attach them
selves to the ruling party, the win
ming side, and trade their voting
strength to the faction that proffers
the highest bid-loyalty to party or
clique being impossible without
loyalty to government.
At present, that is during recent
years, the republican party of Idaho
is burdcned with the odium of Nor
mon alliance. The politicians,
opportunists most of them, think
they are using 'Mormons, but they
are paying dearly for the service
rendered and the, state more dearly
still.
This being the situation, elimi-
mating all lofty motives of good cit
izenship, all high ideals of patriot
ism, it would seem to be good prac-
teal politics for the democrats OF
this state to array themselves OPEN
1y against the Mormons; fight
viciously against this Salt Lake
church interference in our state
affairs. Any outside dictation is
obnoxious to men of independence,
men with warm, red blood in their
veins. AS the situation grows more
acute and transparent, as it inevi-
tably will; white folks, becoming
indignant, will ally themselves
with the democrats, on local issue.
at least, and wipe the Mormon party
off the local political map. Demo.
Gratis have nothing to lose by adopt,
ing this policy, for the Mormon'
are going to vote the republican
ticket as long as it is in power
This will drive many self respecting
citizens into the democratic fold
perhaps only temporarily. Whethe
a sufficient number will be S,
moved this year to create a demo
cratic landslide, is doubtful, for tn
masses, like all great bodies, NOV
solwly; but that such movement
hes already started, no one excop
the partisan-blind can fail to see
That landslide is coming, however
just as sure as fate; possibly thi
year, more probably two year
hence-whcn this canccrous growt
on our body polite w,ll be remove
with the knife of radical Legislation