The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-03-17
THE CHURCH IN POLITICS.

HE HERALD notes that its esteemed
contemporary, the EUentng NelCs, refers
editorially to the alleged employment of
church influence in behalf of the Republi-
cans at the late Logan election, and we are
also pleased to observe that the paper
treats the matter in a proper spirit, al
though 1t is to be regretted that the editor
regards the affair as an instance OF sgreat
cry and little wool" The gentlemen who
have interested themselves in trying to
correct the evil complained of are among
the foremost citizens of Cache county, and
they are not in the habit of creating sensa-
lions out of trifing occurrences. The Ne,cs
doubts that the men accused went to the
length charged; but that is neither here
nor there. THE HERALD was not talking at
random; it had abundant and satisfactory
evidence of the truth of its assertions. We
did not charge that the leading church
authorities in this city had authorized any
body to say CT intimate that it would be
gratifying to them if Logan were carried
by the Republicans; on the contrary, we
have never believed that the First Presi-
dency would give such an authorization
or intimation, after what those gentlemen
had said in public and through the press
regarding church dictation in politics. For
the authorities to attempt to influence
their followers, either directly or Indirectly,
IN the matter Of voting would be rank stul-
LITIGATION and breach of faith with not
only the people of this territory
but of those of the country at
large as well. The trouble has arisen
through the unauthorized employment of
CHURCH influence by persons who will
fully and cunningly made it appear that
they were expressing the sentiments and
wishes of the church leaders. The church
has declared that it is not in politics. and
1t is that declaration which we insist upon
being held sacred. We insist upon this in
the interest of fairness and freedom in
politics and in the interest of Americanism.
as also because 1t will he best for
the masses of the Mormons themselves, as
honest and as good people as can be found
anywhere on this globe We want these
people TO go to the polls and vote freely and
honestly, according to their convictions.
uniufuenced by ecclesiastic authority. and
without fear of that authority. If the
votes shall be for the principles and the
party in which we believe so much the
better for the people; if for the opposition
we shall regret but not complain; we will
simply appeal the louder to the Judgment
and intelligence of the mistaken citizens.
We quote from the Nelcs' article of last
evening, and hope the over jealous Repub-
Icans of Logan, and Mormons generally.
will read carefully what the official organ
of the church has to say on the subject of
church influence in politics:
If it is true that the first presidency have
authorized these, or any other persons, 10 ad-
'.se the people in Logan or elsewhere what
ticket TO vote, then those church dignitaries
have not kept within those limits VIII CHI they
have defined for themselves. If it is not true
then all the noise that is being made is ''mu Oh
ado about nothing" But the question is one
that concerns both political parties, and is OF as
much moment 10 the Republicans as to the
Democrats. And in our opinion, it ought not
to be evaded or ignored.
We have authority from Presidents WuFoRD
WOODRUFF and JOSEPH +. SMITH-President
GEORGE @ CANNON has been absent from the
territory for some weeks-to state emphaticallv
that they have not authorized or instructed
ANYBODY to advise, or counsel, or intimate to
the people Of Logan or elsewhere either di-
rectly or indirectly, how they should vote or
what party they should support. This statement
means just what it says, in letter and spirit.
Therefore, if any person has been doing what
is claimed. it has been without authority from
the church leaders. and is TO be condemned by
all sincere people OF every party.