The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-04-11
Bryan and Polygamy.

pressed opinion, that by doing so they will secure
Mormon votes for Mr.. Bryan They presume on thu
ignorance of those to whom they appeal They claim
that Bryan for the electoral vote of Idaho
than he does for declaration against po1ygamy, OF
for demand that all the people of the State obey
the Constitution of the State.
These advocates of dropping the Mormon issue also
claim that the Democrats of the country care more
for the election of Mr.. Bryan than they do for the
upholding of our State Constitution They pose as
the especial friends and guardians of Mr. Bryans in
terests and well-being
A complete answer is Mr. Bryan's political record
He bases his entire political contention on the ground
that the Constitution of the United States must be
adhered to.
He is the chief advocate of strict compliance with
the requirements of the Constitution.
In regard to this very Mormon question and the
position of the Democratic party in Idaho relating to
it. he has pronounced himself most plainly and fore
IDLY He of the ub-committee of eleven
at the last Democratic National convention to frame
the resolutions for the party, and such sub-com
mitteeman, put the plank i'll the platform demanding
the determination of polygamy and the complete
separation of church and state in political affairs
In regard to the attitude of the National party on
this subject, in addition to the above plank which
is in the last platform of the party every Democratic
United States Senator excepting four voted to expel
Reed Smoot from the United States Senate All
Southern Democratic United States Senators voted to
expel the apostle although it was not even claimed
or charged that he poygamist
The charge was that he "was high official in an
organization which taught and encouraged poygamy
and that he was a high official in an organiza-
ton which put the ecclesiastical above the civil law
The proof sufficient and the ofense so great in
their judgment that the Democratic United States
Senators voted almost solidy to expel him from the
Senate.
All that the Democrats Of Idaho demand is that no
one shall vote who belongs to organization which
teaches or encourages these identical things which
were charged against Apostle Smoot But in addition
to that the Constitution of Idaho says that no one
shall vote who belongs to an organization which en-
courages these things, and the Supreme Court of
Idaho says this provision of the Constitution is self
executing, is binding and must be observed
The Democrats in Idaho who want to abandon the
Mormon issue" and turn the party over to the Nor
mons, the Republicans in Idaho have DONE must
look for comfort and encouragement to other than
Democratic sources. This issue is Democratic funda-
mentally and is endorsed by the National Democratic
leaders, including Mr. Bryan, and by the National
Democratic platform Mr.. Bryan's strength consists
chiefly in the belief that he will not sacrifice princi-
Die for votes He certainly would not sacrifice the
principle for which the Democratic party in Idaho is
even though he assured of every
Mormon vote in the State. 1t is useless to argue that
ou couldn't secure any Mormon votes, even though
ou sold out the party to them They wouldn't run
he risk involved in their betrayal of their Republican
lies.
The Republicans are strong enough to carry the
legislature and elect their state ticket without the
1ormon VOTE and the Mormons will not invoke their
rath by giving their votes to few disgruntled Dem
Gratis