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Show .MORE COCERVIXG "THE PRP-CLAMATIOMS. PRP-CLAMATIOMS. Western papers with comments on the late proclamations by Governor Shaffer are coming to hand. The Sacramento Sac-ramento Record has an article on the subject under the caption "A Crisis in Utah," in which the remark occurs ihat "the proclamations indicate a disposition dis-position on the part of the administration administra-tion to force an issue with the Mormons." Mor-mons." It further says : There appears to have been no recent re-cent occurrence calling for these measures, meas-ures, especially for the prohibition of the annual militia muster. The Mormon Mor-mon "'citizen soldiers" do not constitute so formidable a military force as to endanger en-danger the authority of the United States in the Territory, nor has that force been employed to oppose that authority. Under the circumstances we are quite unable to discover any sufficient suf-ficient .ground for this sudden and peremptory per-emptory prohibition of the harmless annual parade, or "general training" of the Utah militia. Which is very sensible on the part of the Record. But our contemporaries are not sufficiently suffi-ciently posted in regard to the inside working of the "ring" here, and the objects in view. It is a matter of indifference in-difference to its members whether the course taken should be illegal, dictatorial dictato-rial or unjust, if the end in view can be obtained : the forcing the people of the Territory into abject submission to a clique whose aim is to pain power and handle the Territorial Treasury. Utah is free from debt, and her taxes are worth manipulating ; and what a pity it is that these generous sou!s who transported their valuable effects hither in carpet-bags cannot get the control of the means collected by Territorial taxation. Besides, the people object to "bow down to them and worship them" simply because they have been appointed ap-pointed Federal officials, or are boon companions to such officials; and the people will think, in spite of all that is said and done, that Utah is in the United States, and that its citizens are entitled to and shsuld enioy the full rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution. They are stupid enough not to believe that it is a penal settlement settle-ment somewhere beyond Alaska, in which the Federal officials are suppled sup-pled to be absolute, or as Lt-arly so as they can make themselves. And, furthermore, fur-thermore, they think that the law should be obeyed by governors as well as by citizens who are not so honored. Of course the "citizen soldiers" of Utah do not form a formidable military mili-tary force; but that has nothing to do wkh the matter. Their three days' juuster and training wouldn't hurt anybody, but t'...;t is also of lithe account. ac-count. Money is wanted the trea-ury of Utah, if it can be got at. And if a co'.lUion could be provoked, to make an excu.-.e for calling for troops, why, you see it ou'ht be done, no matter Low, even if "Gc.-ler's cap" has to be Icvated for the purpo-e. For with troops making a raid on the Mormons there would be nice pickings of plin-d'jr. plin-d'jr. What speculators aimed at for years, to get fat contracts, the "ring" aims at still for an equally laudable purpose. pur-pose. Wait a little longer, though, friend Ilwrd, and see how the affairs resolve themselves. |
