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Show THE NEXT STROKE AT LIBERTY. Any organization of men who would labor in the cause of human rights and freedom with a zeal and ardor equal to that displayed by the ring of conspirators who are so incessantly plotting for the destruction of liberty and republican institutions in Utah, would certainly win undying laurels as the compeers of O'Connell, Garibaldi or even Washington. They plot and toil with tireless industry to devise and execute some plan that will place the necks of the majority of the people under a crushing yoke, subvert the last vestige of republican forms in the government of the Territory, and place its revenue under their control, and its coffers in their custody. Cupidity and the innate enmity that vice has towards virtue, are among the leading motives that actuate them. As fast as one plan fails, another is invented and tried, but multiplied failures do not discourage the plotters. The history of the Territory is replete with their unsuccessful attempts at accomplishing their nefarious designs, and one would suppose that in time their zeal would abate, and they would cease their scheming and plotting. But the evil genius that actuates them, gives them no rest. It is the inspiration of a Lucifer warring with a Michael, a hungry avarice, an insatiable malice, and an ungratified ambition. They fondly and confidently hoped that the Edmund's bill would accomplish their desires, but for nearly half a year that bill has been a law, with no visible result so far as the furtherance of their schemes is concerned. Next, in the dying hours of Congress, they succeeded in having crowded through without debate or consideration a provision clothing their favorite, the Governor, with a power never before possessed by any man in this land since Independence Bell rang out liberty to all the inhabitants thereof. This grand master-piece of their spoliation policy they thought, would place the treasuries of the Territory and of at least several of the counties, in their hands, that is, in the hands of the Governor's appointees. But as at least some of the present incumbents of county and territorial offices propose to make a legal fight for their positions, with a good prospect of retaining them until an election is held, another scheme, to render effective what has already been done, must be carried out. This last device, as foreshadowed by the Salt Lake Tribune, if its execution shall actually be attempted, will be one of the most audacious and sweeping strokes ever aimed at constitutional law or liberty. The conspiracy of Catiline was patriotic statesmanship in comparison with it. It is simply proposed to interpret the Edmunds law as class legislation, rendering the disqualification of polygamy applicable to all "Mormons," as laws against negro or woman suffrage apply to classes. Under this interpretation of the Edmund's bill a man who attempts to vote may be required to prove his innocence of being a "Mormon" or a polygamist, to the satisfaction of the election judges, or his vote may be denied. It is thus proposed to throw the burden of proof upon the defendant, a thing in contravention of the basic principles of all jurisprudence, and to make him prove a negative-that he is not a violator of the law, before he can vote. The polling place is made a bar at which all "Mormon" voters are arraigned, and at which all are held to be guilty until they prove themselves innocent. The prosecution is not required to produce any evidence; the proof must all be ex parte, and adduced by and in favor of the defense. "The Edmunds law is class legislation; it applies to all ‘Mormons,' and declares all of them to be polygamists; any individual ‘Mormon', to escape the disqualifying effect of the law, must prove to our satisfaction, that he is not a polygamist, for we will hold him to be such until he convinces us to the contrary. Let him convince us if he can!" As the devil can quote and pervert scripture to serve his purpose, so can these pettifoggers put their own construction on the Edmunds law, its scope, application and meaning, and there is no fear that any scruples of conscience will deter them from so wresting and applying it as best to suit their own nefarious purposes, provided opportunity to do so is afforded. That this scheme is in contemplation by the would-be despoilers of our fair commonwealth, there can be no doubt, but that the Commission will countenance so transparent, glaring and villainous a plan for the wholesale disfranchisement and robbery of the mass of the inhabitants of an entire Territory, is doubtful. One thing is certain: Some scheme for the wholesale disfranchisement of "Mormons" must be devised and executed, or they will carry the next election, notwithstanding the disfranchisement of practical polygamists. None know this better than the conspirators, hence their plotting and scheming to accomplish some measure that will render effective for their sinister purposes the legislation already secured, and that will insure the success of devices that now seem so near fruition. These are days when the people of Utah should be surprised at nothing and prepared for everything. The plot against their liberties thickens, and the end is not yet. Concerning the outcome, however, they need have no fears, for they have on their side principles that, in time, will certainly prevail, and that cannot long be subverted. |