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Show A TIMELY ARTICLE. The following editorial article from the Deseret News, under the caption, "Prepare for Action," is so appropriate to existing circumstances that it has been deemed well to reproduce it in the JOURNAL: The people of Utah ought to be given clearly to understand that, in order to vote at the November election for Delegate to Congress, it will be necessary to take the oath prescribed by the Commissioners. A large number of them will think, naturally, that as they have been duly registered, and that their names are enrolled upon the registry lists, there is no need to register again. This matter must be explained to them. And the county committees of the People's Party are the proper conveyers of this information to the members. The nature of the oath prescribed is such that, while some voters will not attempt to subscribe to it because unable truthfully to do so, others who can lawfully take it will refrain unless the importance of their votes is clearly explained. They will reason in this way: This oath is not required by law. It is not only an imposition but it is unjustly and unlawfully discriminating in its terms. To pay any attention to it will be humiliating and a concession to an arbitrary exercise of usurped authority. Therefore they will stay away from the registry and also from the balloting. But if it is explained to them that unless they submit, under protest, to this wrong, a greater wrong will be perpetrated, that if their votes are lacking, an unscrupulous minority will have opportunities vastly enlarged for the perpetration of a great outrage, for which these enemies have laid deep plans; that by stooping to conquer they will materially aid in making the intended fraud much more difficult of execution; then they will swallow their just objections and not only take the oath, but see that their names are found on the registry lists and in the event of certain villanies [villainies] already boasted of in anticipation of being attempted, they will take the necessary steps to secure their rights and defeat the wrong intended. Let it be clearly explained that the names now on the registry list of all persons who do not take the oath, are to be expunged. No polygamist, bigamist, or person who cohabits with more than one woman in the marriage relation, or who is a violator of the laws of the United States prohibiting bigamy, or who holds any relation with any woman which has been entered into or continued in violation of these laws, and no woman who is the wife of a polygamist, or who has entered into any relation with any man in violation of the laws of the United States, is entitled, under the rule, to register. Of course such persons will not attempt so to do. All others, however, can claim the right to register, if they are otherwise qualified to vote. And they should be sure to do so and to do it in time. Before the second Monday in September every alien who is entitled under the law to his naturalization papers should go to the District Court and be made a citizen. The importance of this duty has been impressed many times for many years upon those who are in this condition. There are people who, although they have their "first papers," are still without the pale of citizenship and yet have been in this country for a great many more years than are required by law as a residence qualification for citizenship. We trust that they will now see the necessity of throwing off their lethargy and carelessness, and of obtaining the right to vote. Immediate action in their case is required. There is another class. Young men and women who arrived in this country before they are 18 years of age, and whose parents are not citizens. All such who are now twenty-one years of age and upwards, and have resided five years in the United States, can obtain their certificates of naturalization in the District Court by taking the required oath, without taking out their first papers. All such young persons ought at once to avail themselves of their privileges. There are some widow ladies who were the first wives of men who may have entered into plural marriage, they can register and vote. There are widows who were plural wives but who entered into the plural marriage relation before the passage of the law of 1862?. They also can register and vote. Such ladies should be instructed on their position. The question may be asked, "Why is this urgent? Are there not plenty of monogamist voters to carry on elections?" There are doubtless enough and largely to spare if all register and all vote. But we are cognizant of a deep-laid scheme in certain places to cheat the people of Utah out of this election. If only the right kind of registrars can be obtained to carry it out, the villainy will be attempted. The best? way to defeat it will be by a general registration - for this is a new registration in effect - of every monogamist voter, male and female, young and old, and a general attendance at the polls, with a thorough organization in every county and precinct to see that citizens have their rights and that a fair election is held. This can be done. This ought to be done. And we advise all our friends throughout the Territory to be wide awake. We are aware that there are not many politicians among them. They are not accustomed to the tricks of the political trade. But those who understand must be vigilant and be ready to explain and assist and work together in harmony, that the majority may still rule in the few things left to them in this slim? vestige of a republican form of government attenuated to "the shadow of a shade" by men who have sworn to uphold the Constitution. |