Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-21

OMAHA, June 20-To the Editor of The
Bee: The late greetings of Bryan demo-
Gratis from Utah would have been a per-
sonal insult to the first citizen of the
country II II had come from any other
state in the union. 1t was Mr.. Bryan who
once called the best-beloved and best
trusted Of living Americans "a bunco
steerer." The democrats OF Utah adopted
a resolution in which they expressed their
gratitude to Mr.. Cleveland for his friend
ship to the Mormon people while PRESIDENT;
pointed with great party pride TO his SER
vices for the party and the country, ana
prayed for the restoration Of his health
from a long and dangerous sickness. This
was all very fitting and appropriate ana
was entirely worthy of a people who
never knew how TO cease to be grateful TO
friends who served them in the days or
trial. The incident is used by me to re-
late a short chapter of unwritten history
Of an effort to admit Utah as a state as
the only means of securing peace and the
welfare of Utah, and averting the fearful
calamity that followed failure from the
execution of the Edmunds' law. This at
tempt was a purely personal one on my
part, and occurred in the midst OF this
pretty much everything that was dear to
the real founder and people of Utah. My
intimate relations with the leaders in the
Mormon church had been continual for
many years. For three and twenty OF
these years as the editor of the Omaha
Daily Herald, which never failed to be-
friend the people OF Utah., I had won their
confidence as they had won my respect
and sympathy. There were many creden-
tails for an open-minded hearing at their
hands, and also furnished the foundation
/ for considerable confidence and large hope
that the plan for an adjustment Of this
fearful conflict might be secured.
When Mr.. Cleveland entered the White
House in 1885 the prospect offered no real
expectation that his administration would
be marked by any epoch-working measure.
II was a natural ambition on Mr.. Cleve-
lands part to distinguish 1t in any way he
might. and this ambition was fully shared
by his party. AS a close observer OF Utah
affairs 1 though / saw a way to settle
the burning question OF polygamy by the
admission of the state under a constitution
that should provide for it's abolition. II
was too much to ask, at the result proved
but l felt / could convince the Utah leader
ship that. as between that splendid alter
native of statehood and deliverance, and
freedom and ruin, wise men could not long
hesitate. / visited the president and sug'
gested the admission Of Utah to the union
In perhaps fewer words than are contained
in this statement Mr.. Cleveland said: III
we could admit Utah, I would retire from
this place with great satisfaction and
could ask nothing better" or words to thai
effect. l did not make known to the presi
dent my own plan for bringing the subjec
to the attention OF the people of Utah FOL
the reason that ] did not wish to use hi
name or entangle him in any manner in my
own action.
] Immediately returned to Omaha ant
did not lose an hour in getting into com
munication with George Q. Cannon. VIII,
was then in hiding in the Wasatch noun
tains. pursued by United States marsha
with warrants for his arrest for allege,
violations Of the Edmunds law. This wa