The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-03-12

The Recorder received an article
this week from the pen OF Col. Park /,
er. OF Grangeville In reference to
the democratic party continuing the
Mormon fight. Col. Parker is an old |
time newspaper man, one OF the most
enthusiastic democrats and a deep
thinker upon matters political. The
article which Is published in full was
suggested to the mind OF Col. Parker
by an utterance OF the Lewiston
Tribune. at the close Of the last came
paign in which the Tribune mad
the statement, 1.-The democratic
party might have carried the state
this fall II 1t had not antagonized
the Mormon vote. The article fol-
lows:
The Jack -Mormons aud associates
evidently fail to understand the
principle involved in the opposition
OF the democratic party OF daho to
the teachings and practices OF the
Mormon church. But aside from
this, it may be said that the demo-
Gratis of Idaho would have carried
the state 10 the state election II the
JolteIs had supported the ticket,
There is faction in the democratic
party which has always favored II
deal with the leaders of the Mormon
church, or rather the policy OF bid
ding against the republican machine
for control OF the Mormon vote.
II it were not for the principles in
volyed IL might be worth while to
turn the control OF the democratic
party over tc this minority faction,
Just for the fun of seeing what kind
OF trade they would make, what
sort of ticket they would put up,
and how they would eject it. They
would doubtless furnish a lot OF
amusement il nothing more.
Viewing the Mormon question
from political standpoint only, and
aside from the neral aspect of the
subject (which concerns the people OF
the state more than the politicall a
large majority OF the Idaho democ
racy believes that the only way to
secure the Mormon vote is by COM
bination with the Mormon leaders.
| Ia order to make such combination
it would be necessary TO offer the
Mormons more--to make a higher bid
for their support than the republican
party can offer, consisting OF patron
age, Offices, sugar bounties, etc. 1t
would also be necessary to guarantee
the Mormons immunity from prose-
cution for the violating OF existing
laws and promises TO oppose new
laws looking to the prevention OF
the free and open practice o: the Nor
mon creed. The democracy OF Idaho
has consistently refused to enter into
such a deal, and when we behold the
sad plight OF the republican party,
byreason Of its Mormon alignment,
unable to hold convention, adopt a
platform or nominate candidate
without the consent OF the Salt Lake
polygamists, we should be devoutly
thankful that tue democracy OF the
state did not yield to temptation and
forsake principle for expediency.
The Mormon question is political
issue In this state. The democratic
party Is on the right side OF this Is
sue, and has fortunately taken such a
strong position that II could not re-
cede II 1t wished. Senator Dubois
having personally looked after the
burning OF the bridges. Being OF
the right side OF the issue 1t remains
10 be seen whether or not the party
is on the winning side, which is,
however, a secondary consideration.
As a majority party the democrats
have accomplished a great deal for
! the state. If the practice Of polyg-
amy has declined, why 81 and tt
whom Is the credit dueY We have II
from the sworn statement OF the
highest Mormon authority, President
Joseph +. Smith, that the faith o'
the cest Is the same as from the rev
elation ordainiug polyvamy as doc
: trine Of the Mormon church, and that
! polygamous and plural marriages ar'
not only privilege, but solemn
duty. Undoubtedly the practic'
} would flourish In Idaho today rs ir
; Utah when there was 20 restraint