Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-27
sEITH's MISSION.

loOl1e weeks ago we referred TO " John
Codmans idea of working a reform in
Utah MormOnism. In brief, his plan was
to encourage the monogamic branch of the
Mormon Church in its efforts to convert
the polygamic Mormons to the original
faith, before it was disgraced by the celes-
tial marriage and plural wife revelation"
Joseph Smith, son Of the original
prophet" is now in Salt Lake City, look
ing over the field for precisely such work
as Codman's idea suggests. lie represents
the monogamic wing. If polygamy can
be eradicated from among the essentials of
the Utah Church, the religion is no mere
open to assault than that of any other sect.
The Deseret Ne,p8 is annoyed that the
leader of the Josephites has come to Utah.
1t seeks to draw his attention to the inhu-
ences that induced him to come These
were the NercS says, influences at enmity
with the Latter-day Saints-meaning the
non-Mormon or Gentle class II adds:
If that gentleman chooses to humiliatc him
self by acting in the capacity Of tool in the
hands OF those who are working an injury to an
innocent and conscientious community. that is
his privilege The dignity and maniiness OF
such position. however, is open, TO say the
least to the most pronounced criticism. And il
he fails 10 penetrate the hypocrisy OF
those who are heaping anti-"Morm0n" flattery
upon him in sickening doses, his obtuseness
must be lamentable.
1t is altogether probable that Mr.. Smith
is just as far-sighted and penetrating as
any of the Utah leaders He knows, Oh
course that "Gentiles" are pleased with his
coming. He knows, of course, that they
are not friendly in a religious sense
to the doctrines of his faith But
he knows that this unfriendiness extend:
only to the polvgamic practices of a wing
of the Mormon Church, and that the
"Gentiles " of Utah have no other aim in
aiding him than to break the polygamiC
power, and that once made subservient tc
law they will be precisely as tolerant OF
Mormonism as any other form of religion
The NegS evidently fears the influence Of
Smith, since it warns the faithful that he
is "repudiator," and is working in di-
rection that is approved by " apostates, the
vile, the ungodly, corrupt, cruel llnaves,
etc This Is all well for the Josephite II
ought to give him encouragement. lie ha.
drawn the fire Of the enemy without him
self firing a shot. Whoever is feared has
power; whoever is condemned by his OPP
ponent, and charged with oiIenses, and re.
pudiated without a discussion of his
claims has already made headway, and
can afford to continue on in his mission
Smith single-handed may be the means
after all of accomplishing that which the
United States Government has failed to
consummate after thirty years of labor.
THE city of Memphis is heavily in debt
A colored citizen of wealth has come for
ward and set an example worthy Of imita-
ton by purchasing large number Of the
city bonds, in order to bring much oil
the debt into the hands Of friends Of the
city with vested interests. The Araioachc
commend5 this act very warmly, and urge;
other citizens to do likewise How few
are the years indeed, that have swept by
since those cruel slavery days" when
the bare suggestion of a Southern city
being under financial obligation to a
"nigger" would have stirred the Southern
blood with rage to the very cookies of its
heart