The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-13
COMING FOR YEARS.
Astute Politicians Have Long Fore
seen Yesterdays Storm.

soon Yesterdays Storm.
Ast,te politicians have seen this
storm brewing for years. Its coming
was inevitable Conditions in the terri
tory would not admit of anything else
Il Will be remembered that the divi-
sim on party lines came with the un-
Outstanding that thereafter the Nor
mon people should act in politics with
ont regard to their religious belief II
MAS understood that whatever author
CIV might be claimed by the first presl-
dency in temporal matters would never
be exercised in political affairs Prom
isas that this would be so were freely
and uureservedly given by bhe frst
presidency. In June, 1893, when the
first presidency was constituted as 1t
IS now. an interview which attracted
much attention appeared in the Salt
Lake Times. the Republican organ. In
that interview appeared the following
questions. asked by the editor of the
Times and answered in all solemnity
by the first presidency:
O-Does the church claim the right
to dictate 10 its members in political
matters? A-The church does not
claim any such right.
O.-That being true, are we to under
stand that the church VIII not assert
any right TO control the political ac-
ton of its members in the future? A
That is what We wish to convey and
have YOU understand. As officers Of
the church. we disclaim the right to
control the political action Of the men,
bers of our body.
Here are some further extracts from
replies made in that interview: I'VE
shall hail with unfeigred qualification
the time when the people of Utah,
without regard to their religious views,
can unite as citizens and labor for the
advancement and prosperity of the
territory. If statehood should ever be
obtained all the influence We could use
20 break down the distinctions which
have created such bitterness IN the
past would be eXerted'' 1T is to our
interest to furnish no Dretext for the
formation OF an anti Mormon party"
Q.-Is there any reason why members
Of the church should not act freely
with the national parties at all times?
Ave know Of no reason why they
should not
Q.-The opponents Of party division
on national lines declare they want evil
dence Of the sincerity Of the Mormon
people. The Times would ask you to
state whether the declarations Of sim
cerity on the part of those leaders
who have been before the public re-
feet your views and meet with your
approval. A.-In0Se necl3Td lions Py-
press our views and have our approvaI.
1t has been asserted in addi-
ton that the people are governed bv
the priesthood in political matters
This is now djsproved by the dissoin-
zion of the People's party and the
union Of tho members with the two ma
tcnal parties. What could possibly be
gained hy the action Of the people if
:hey We're not sincere? If the elements
nf sincerity were wanting. such a
movement would result in entire de-
mGralization"
Evidences of Sincerity.
This declaration was subsequently,
substantially reiterated by the first
presidency the peseret News-official
organ If The first pre5i9ercy-ap the
general conference. In fact. every. pos
sible evidence of the sincerity Of the
FIRST presidency and tn Mormon peo-
nle that could he given was given.
The Democratic party accented these
declara tons in good faith It took the
proposition for granted that there
after politics and the church officials
as such. shonld be entirely separate
On these declarations. with a thor
ough belief in the sincerity and hon
esty Of the Mormon people would no
doubt that there would be no eccles-
isstical influence eXerted in behalf of
either party. the Democrats went on
.skvith their work They had no objec-
Mon to the political activity OF such
lmen as John Henry Smith, Francis