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Show FOR THE PEOPLE. It is said before the committee in Washington, it is reiterated here by the organ of the Mormon church, that the religion of the Latter-Day Saints is one of absolute liberty; that anything the President Presi-dent and Apostles may do is not really a rule of the church until the people ratify It; that there are not restrictions upon their vote. We all know-how know-how untrue all this Is; It cannot help but be untrue, un-true, while the theory of the system remains what it is. But In that creed there is nothing which denies to the people the right of petition. That is guaranteed guar-anteed by the laws of our Republic, it Is disputed by none but tyrants, and by slaves made irrespon-sible irrespon-sible through superstitious fears. We thereforo suggest to the Mormon people that they prepare and sign a petition to the head of the church that he cause this apprehension and unrest which disturbs dis-turbs and distresses the days and nights of this people to pass away. He can do it in a hrief half hour, if he pleases to. If the petition asks no more than that he place this Mormon church in accord with the Great Republic, that will he enough. - Surely there would be nothing impertinent or unreasonable in such a petition. There ceitainly can be no objection to he presenting of such a petition. The Mormon people have been worried, harassed har-assed and made to suffer great losses for half a century past. What have they won by it? Are they better for it, mentally, morally, spiritually, financially; in what way are they better off than they would have been had Joseph Smith at the first declared that as the Constitution of the United States was inspired, in-spired, this creed which he promulgated, must in all things, material or political, conform to the laws of this land; would the church be better or worse off now? He set utf a kingdom within this government, a material earthly government antagonistic In all Its attributes to this Republic. For it he was killed and his people were tossed out, naked, on the breast of the wilderness. Then his successors succes-sors tried to continue his rule which cost their faithful faith-ful followers unmeasured sorrows and losses, and sere finally so completely driven to bay that in words at least they surrendered and agreed to place this system in accord with this Republic. There was no dishonor in this; rather it was a position that touched the men and women of this Republic with an admiration for them which it was a joy to see. , That covenant has been broken. The masses of the Mormon people for their own sakes, should petition their leaders to have that covenant restored re-stored They should do it for the sake of the integrity in-tegrity of the creed they profess, for the welfare of their little children. We believe the head of the church would welcome such a petition, for It would be easier for him than to jay that it is the will of the people which he Is trying to carry out If something of the kind is not done, what is boing to be the outcome ? This system here must be put in accord with the Republic. The Mormon people can make it so in a month If they will come together and in a respectful petition ask for what everyone of them knows is right. It is only to ask what has already been promised; prom-ised; only to ask what when granted before filled all the valleys of Utah with peace and joy, and Utah's sky with hope. The people have but to arouse themselves, and make a respectful demand for simple justice. |
