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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion History 4 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9, 1995 Letters to the Editor What is your opinion ? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or defamation of character will not be considered for publication. Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Thank you for your interest. Thanks for help Dear Editor: I would like to express a sin- cere, heartfelt thanks for everyones efforts in fighting the potentially devastating grass fire in our area. Your hard work was deeply appreciated. Our deepest thanks. cial thanks to Larry Switzer and Melanie Martin for the special efforts they gave in announcing the entries and opening exercises. The Mormon Battalion, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Kanab Skilled Nursing Facility, Kanab Young Riders, the Centennial Committee, the Heaton family, Miss Kane Bob Whitecar County Cindy Roundy, Fred Grand Canyon Drive Ottey for his excellent horse- Thanks to July 24th manship, all the children, Kanab High Band and singers and the Frostop Chicken - all pioneer paraders deserve our thanks. To the Kanab Civic OrchesDear Editor: I would like to express a tra, Community Choral Group, hearty, Thank you, to all who Tony Chatterly, Donna Casebolt, were involved in the July 24 Jeri Crosby and Kortney Pioneer Parade, Mormon Bat- Stirland, we are grateful for the talion dinner, and the late musical program which helped evening musical and dance pro- rekindle our love and gratitude to our early pioneers. Special gram. Thanks to each LDS Kanab thanks to Virginia Bower and ward for their efforts in prepar- the excellent dance group which ing entries for the parade and wowed us. I express my love to to Jeanne Bantlin for arrang- each of you. peared in the Mormon immiing for, and providing the anBishop Joe De Rieux grant camp at Council Bluffs, Kanab Iowa, to recruit a battalion of nouncers for the parade. A spe men for the war. Mormon leaders hoped that sending a large body of their followers west at government expense would help the destitute Saints in their exodus. Indeed it did. The Mormon about it. Battalions major contribution Centennial History Obscure as it may be for some, to their country came not from When Americans elected James Knox Polk as their elev- the Mexican War nevertheless any military exploits but in forgenth president in 1844 they ush- produced military heroes in- ing a wagon route across the ered in an era of expansionism cluding Zachary Taylor, Polks Southwest on one of the longest and war that would soon reshape successor as president; a color- infantry marches undertaken by the nation. The new adminis- ful, somewhat ragtag group of U.S. troops. While the Mormon Battalion tration sailed along on a slogan patriotic mercenaries the Moranmarched and their Manifest Destiny, coined by an mon Battalion, and a huge editor in the summer of 1845. nexation of land by the United continued toward the Great Before Polks term of office ended States. Basin, Zachary Taylor, Winfield Ameriof A number prominent U.S. territory encompassed the Scott, and other military leadformer Republic of Texas; the cans opposed Polks hawkish ers pursued victory on the battleOregon country wrested from expansionism: Henry Clay, field. At the Battle of Buena the British (54-4- 0 or fight), former president Martin Van Vista, Taylors troops, outnumincludingpresent Oregon, Wash- Buren, Daniel Webster and John bered 4 to 1, defeated Santa Ana, ington, Idaho, and parts of Wyo- C. Calhoun. But for Polk the making Taylor a national hero ming and Montana; and a huge price to be obtained, especially and a shoo-i- n for the U.S. presitract of former Mexican lands from a confrontation with dency in 1848. By September, that included present Califor- Mexico, was simply too tempt- 1847, Mexico City had fallen to nia, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New ing. He wanted California at all the Americans. Peace negotiations between Mexico, and parts of Colorado costs; and, of course, it would do not to have a foreign country the two countries culminated and Wyoming. Each acquisition was part of a in possession of the land between with the Treaty of Guadalupe complex web of international the eventual Golden State and Hidalgo. It established the relations and political maneu- the rest of the United States. boundary between the two revering. For Utahns the most Mexico must give it all up. publics beginning at the Mexiofthese was Polk the sent 1845 In mouth of the Rio Grande in (Old Taylor important conflict cena of a and veteran can War that the Gulf of Mexico westward, ready), a rough a half later Black War and of remains the the with several jogs, to the Pa1812, tury outside the historical awareness Hawk War, and the second cific Ocean. ' of many Americans. As Gilberto Seminole War, with an army to Thus, when the pioneer comin wrote Rio The After Grande. the 1965, Espinosa Taylors pany of Mormons arrived in is Mexico of a matter War with troops were attacked by Mexi- the Salt Lake valley in July history but it should not con- cans, Polk asked for and re- 1847, they entered territory tinue to be The War that no- ceived a Declaration of War on claimed by Mexico, explored by Spanish and Mexican parties body knows; every American May 13, 1846. should know at least something Later, Capt. James Allen ap (including the Dominguez- - The War with Mexico had a major effect on Utah History Escalante Expedition), and linked with Spanish-speakin- g settlements via the Old Spanish Trail. With no permanent Mexican or Spanish-speakin- g settlements in the area, it was easy for the Mormons to ignore Mexican claims to the land. Less than a year after the pioneers arrival in Utah, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo bound them securely to the U.S., first as a territory in 1850 and finally as the 45th state in SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS AAA Deadlines AAA FRIDAY 1 PM 1896. .V : : i CO NEWSPAPER The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every N. Main at 26 St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves Wednesday Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 , or Fax 801 telephone 801 44-2900, 44-2926. Advertising rates available upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741. Newsstand price 50c per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. 9) |