Evening journal., 1890-02-12
A BLOW AT MORMONISM.
Views of the President OF the
Church.
TO BE ROBBED or THEIR RIGHTS.

The Leader OF the Poiygamisfs Says
There Il Deep Laid Plot Against
Mormon citizons, but He Is Not Alarm
ed at the Prospect.
SALT LAKE CRY, Feb l2-Mr. woodruff,
lhe head OF the Mormon church. has just
given to the press the only statement be has
ever made upon the political fight here.
When asked 20 give his views upon the
questions at issue, Mr. Woodruff said: 81
consider this something more than mere
question OF what men shall compose the city
government and what party they belong CO.
There is a deep laid scheme to deprive the
Mormon people Of all their political rights
and privileges, 50 that the minority here
may obtain control OF the territory They
can't do this by fair means, so they resort
70 foul. BY Misrepresentation and taking
advantage OF the popular prejudice against
the Mormons, founded chiefly on ignorance,
they succeeded in securing the disfanchise-
ment Of the settlers who made this country,
and then Of all the women. This not giving
these schemers a majority, they have sought
other means. The Edmunds- Tucker act has
helped them somewhat, but the test oath
provides that II can be taken by the ma.
jority nt least as well as by their opponents.
Now they want every Mormon deprived OF
bis right to vote and hold Office.
The Church Not In II.
members Of the church belong to the
Peoples party, and they will naturally feel
that they have been robbed Of their rights
at the polls But ! presume that will not
affect their political views. The church was
not in the campaign. and the result win
have no bearing ON 1t at all that can see.
The future policy of the church viii be to
preach the gospel to all the world, instruct
members in their religious duties and move
forward to its divinely ordained destiny as
the actual living church Of Christ
The sIormons win Remain.
"There is no probability Of the Mormon
church or people removing to Mexico or
elsewhere. 1 do not see any necessity OF
such removal. Individual members may 20
where they choose to better their condition,
but there is not, nor has there been, any con-
temptation Of such an exodus.
The Mormon Religion Explained.
''What is the Mormon idea Of its rule as
TO the kingdom Of GodT
eve hold that the church was set up and
organized by the Almighty; that il has the
right to formulate and maintain the rules
| Of church discipline, applying to only its
own members; that the extent Of its puni-
tive powers Is the accommodation Of the
transgressor; that 1t has no power 10 punish
any one BY the deprivation of his liberty o.
property by personal injury in any form
that governments should not regulate tho
\ church, nor the church seek 70 control the
III II. n Ia.
free, and entitled 10 vote as they please,
and to sustain what politics they please 50
that they do not infringe upon the rights OF
Others. We believe this church viii pre-
pare the way for tho coming Of Christ to
reign as king, and that this church will then
develop into the kingdom Of God, which ali
Christians pray will come-that the viii Of
God may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We believe in the fun and free agency o.
man, and that when the kingdom Is estab-
lished there will be perfect liberty On earth
civil, political and religious
His Hope Of the Future.
"Then you do not feel gloomy as TO the
resultfi
''No; believe taxes will be raised; that
there will be such a looseness in the re-
straints imposed upon immortality, and such
a striking contrast shown under the liberal
rule, compared with the honor, honesty and
constant progress Of the city under the
Peoples regime, that, as in Ogden, the more
respectable people Of all classes win soon
desire a return TO the former methods
Not at all Worried.
President Woodruff appeared to ba in
! good health, and not in the least worried
over the result Of the election. He is now
in his SD year, and apparently as strong
and as well preserved as the ordinary man
Of 50.