Show AN IMPORTANT UW distinction mountain valleys were orl originally 91 I 1 settled by latter day saints commonly called mormons cormons Mor mons As soon as they had performed the necessary labors to provide themselves with food and shelter they assembled in a political capacity and organized under the political institutions of republicanism and the constitution of the united states they had raised the stars and stripes on OB ensign peak on their arrival taking their true position as citizens of this country count couRt rv although this was mexican soil much of the male strength of their bittle flock was enlisted under that flap flag and were engaged on the side of the union in the struggle then pending with mexa ico N state government was formed a constitution was framed and admission into the union was a applied plied for this was not granted e by the parent government but instead this region was organized as a territory all this was political the fact that nearly all the people who formed the territory were members of one church did not alter the fact that they were citi citizens zeus of the united states nor that their action was essentially of a political character it has not yet become a rule in this country that a church member is excluded from politics but this church relationship has been made to do duty for the enemies of the people of utan from the beginning the sectarian elements of toe ane country have kept up the ecclesiastical side of the utah question perpetually with the purpose of prejudicing the nation and keeping our people eople from the enjoyment of kneir political pori political rights and privileges vile the inhabitants inhabit a ants of utah have assembled repeatedly as citizens and adopted a constitution purely republican in form and guaranteeing to everybody equal rights and equal religious and civil liberties but the cry has been raised raided that they were mor mons and their efforts have been opposed on that ground thus a religious ii us co color lor has been put by our enemies upon measures that were wera purely political and nghe have done that or of which they falsely accused the church the church to which the majority of the people of utah belong has it is true endorsed and favored tie steps taken to secure those privileges and powers which belong to citizens under the institutions of our country perhaps the body of the people would not have been as enthusiastic in their endeavors in this direction if it had not been for that endorsement but in their action the people proceeded under me laws ot of the land and as citizens of the united states and not in an ecclesiastical or sectarian capacity of late years the character of our population opu lation has changed considerably demple people of various beliefs and chuoc memberships and some with no re ivious faith at all have camu into the and many have made their homes here aney are as much interested according to te their numbers and d siu sta tusin the political and social siev situation as the older settlers if they were numerous they would shape the me political ical body and determine its position on national as well as local questions but they are in abe minority as compared with the body of the citizens who are organized under tile tae narue name of the peoples party it is for that reason that their votes do not count pitted against the big majority they are wasted auger at eftis tousin ib childishness wrath however intense will not add to their voting strength of practical polygamists isis and of the women citizens has materially reduced the ballots ot of the majority but it has not turned the balance of power for all practical purposes bes the peoples People party sParty is still in local control this be understood ay as a iaci act ty by the minority and BO amount of mud mad and number and vileness of epithets will change the situation bat it appe arft that the majority party desiring the material prosperity of utah are willing to join with fair and decent men of the minority as citizens dot no as religionists or non aon religionists to work for statehood in which alone the full rights of freemen can be secured and enjoyed and to share with them fairly the powers and privileges of local government ern ment does not this strike conservative serva tive men as a generous and sensible let it be burne borne in mind that when D it cornea comes to votes the most influential ot of tile the older citizens and the ecclesiastical leaders are out of the question it voters to it devolves upon the electors of hutaff to determine the question of statehood ab so far as it can be locally settled it is not a church movement religion or is not involved it is a matter of politics it affects all classes of the people as citizens any attempt to launch tile the thunderbolts of antl anti mormon fury against it is pitiful and ludicrous as well as despicable spi cable they who indulge in that kind of invective exhibit the inherent weakness of their cause and the ansin centy of their opposition itis it is entirely a political matter and must mast bap b met it at all on that ground we wish the movement in its present stage success because we recognize the right of citizens to assemble and plead for their political liberties and any step of that character should oe be with i it should also be a united effort of al classes As to what may be done in the constitutional convention we reserve our right to endorse or object that is a matter ametter undeveloped now the people are called upon domeet to meet and choose delegates to represent them if every class is not represented that will be no fault of the majority it if conservative men of the parties not connected with the majority majo rity do not participate we think they will show that they are not wise we once more urge upon the citizens who will assemble on saturday the necessity and prudence of proceeding with care and deliberation and selecting such men for the purpose ing and adopting a state constitution who while alive to the wants of the people and to the present situation are competent to handle matters of such moment in a manner that will reflect credit upon this community and so ad as to beaure to every citizen ol of the new state all the rights privileges and immunities that can be reasonably demanded under a republican form of government |