OCR Text |
Show THE GENTILE FEELING. Wo nsc the term "Gentile" because tho word become recognized a moaning tho people here who aro not Mormons; and the fueling of the former designated citizens, with reference refer-ence to the trials now in progress against prominent gentlemen of the Territory for "lewd and lascivious" conduct, in hold to be of considerable importance. Do tho Gcntilea of Utah , or do Lhey not, sustain the course of tho courts and the prosecution? The communication of "(JenLile," in the present issue of the IIkuald, answers tho question plainly and fully. There is a strong feeling, which is rapidly growing stronger, among the Gentile citizens of Salt Lake against tho present pres-ent court proceedings. Tins arises from various causes. First, the development of tho minor-; al interests of tho Territory was rapidly progressing. Capital from tho cast and west and from Europe was being freely invested here; but in consequence conse-quence of sensational telegrams sent from this city, as a result of tho action of tho court; and from tho wide-spread feeling which prevails that trouble may yet arise, men possessing money not only ho.sitato to invest it, but actual transactions in progress of negotiation have been suddenly broken off', entailing en-tailing expense- and loss upon those who had property to disposo of and proventing thoir oxpcclations being realized. Thore is no immcdiato pros peot of this condition of affairs boing remedied, and business men sco a dull future where activity was reasonably expected. Second; indictments wero found months ago against men for alleged serious offences, or they wore charged with them, and held in custody. Some of thoso men are now held prisoners without the speedy trial to which they aro entitled; tho delay being be-ing caused by the present action of the court in cases which are deemed by intelligent men frivolous, in view of tho fact that it is alleged there are orimcsofa more serious naturo imputed im-puted to somo of the prominent citizens citi-zens now under indictment. And, third; because it is held that the present indictments arc simply vexatious and harrassing, not designed de-signed to test a principle in dispute by honorable, legal means,, but by means unworthy of the judicial and legal representatives rep-resentatives of the nation. We say these, with others of similar character, are the views of intelligent and leading Gentiles in this city and Territory, and because of these views the feeling is rapidly growing that the course being pursued is neither wise, politic, nor sustained by precedent or law. It lias been represented again and again, that the Mormons were all bitterly opposed to the judiciary, that they were belligerent and rebellious; and that all Gentiles in the Territory wero warmly endorsing the course of tho judiciary aod.proseoution. At the risk of being again charged from the bench with preferring liction to fact, wo say emphatically, without doubt or hesitation, that were the sentiments of tho Gentiles in this Territory freely expressed to-day with regard to the situation here, a largo majority of the leading, influential and most intelligent uX'bcm would declare themselves iigainst tho present action of the courts. |