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Show THE PRIESTLY USURPERS. For .the beucfit of thoso who are disposed dis-posed to- criticise the activities of the American party in the politics of this State, Tho Tribune will present another bit of history. Looking up the roster of the Legislative Legis-lative nssombly of Utah in the year )S72, we find the roll to embrace these following names: In the Council, or upper house, were George Q. Caunon, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Orson Hyde, all apostles; and William Jennings, Joseph A. Young, Lot Smith, A. O. Stuoot, L. E. Harring-tou. Harring-tou. Jacob G. Bigler, Jesse X. Smith, William Snow, all high priests, seventies or ciders, Tn the House were C. C. Itich, Orson Pratt, John Taj-lor, Brigham Young, Jr., Joseph F, Smith, Franklin D. Richards, all apostles; and John If. Murdock, Jonathan C. Wright. William B." Preston, Pres-ton, Williard G. Smith, W. II. Lee, Silas E. Smith. Samuel Pilchforfh, Thomas Callister, A. P. Eockwood, Euoch-Reese, George Peacock, Warren S. Suow, Orrin S. Lee, John Iiowberry, A. K. Thurber, William B. Pace, David Evans, Abraham Abra-ham Hatch, Lorin Farr, Joseph W. Young, all high-priests, seventies or elders. el-ders. Most of the members of that Legislature Legisla-ture who wore not apostles were either presidents of stakes, counselors to these, or bishops or their counselors. It is not charged, nor is -it to be by any means assumed, that on this account there were no honest men among them. There were some in that bodj who woro siu-cerely siu-cerely disposed to legislate fairry. and to do all possible for the then Territory of Utah. But it is contended that, all of them holding tho Mormon priesthood as they did, tho men who controlled that priesthood also had absolute control of the Legislature, and dictated absolutely all of its acts. It is a well established law of tho Mormon, church that it is a violation of obligation to disobey the priesthood iu any matter whatsoever; so that if any member of the Legislature Legisla-ture were of sufficient independence to oppose any project of the. controlling priests of the church, he was promptly suppressed, and the prophets were made to triumph in true hierarchical style. Before and since that time tho Gentiles Gen-tiles of Utah have beeu wnging steady combat with the ecclesiastical usurpers, sometimes with more vigor thau at others, but always fighting. It is for the purpose of showiug what might have been the condition here today, in the absence qf that steady fight, that the Legislative roster is printed. The persistent per-sistent battle brought about better conditions con-ditions by degrees, until the community had reached such improved form that there was a general movement upon the part of all classes to secure Statehood for Utah. After considerable effort, during the making of which there was every indication that at last Utah was fast turning to be as other States aud Territories, the coveted boon was secured. se-cured. All citizens rejoiced, and there was a temporary era of good will, and a fraternal spirit of cquai citizenship was enjoyed. But ihe old spirit of hatred of Government and defiance of law began be-gan to manifest itself shorty- after Statehood was achieved. There was a manifest disnosition to turu back to the old fleshpots of complete domination by the church. The American spirit was finally goaded to rebellion against tho increasing injustice; and out of this loyal opposition to a gradual return to tho old usurpations and tyrannies, together to-gether with the impending recrudescence recrudes-cence of polygamous practices, grew the 'American party. The citizens of Utah have reason to be thaukful that this organization came into existence, .lread31 the great benefits bene-fits accruing from its activities are. apparent. ap-parent. While it is true that many of the people whom it most uplifts in the pursuit pur-suit of liberty and bappines-s arc prone io condemn it, the day is not far distant when they will coll Americanism blessed, and will join in the work of regeneration, re-generation, and to fight against any possible return to the priestly legislator and tho prophetic executive. |