The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-20

to think 1 have acted without proper
sincerity in the expression Of my poll
| teal views, it is only just for me to
say here that there were two reasons
which kept me silent in regard to poll
tics: a bitter strife had arisen among
the people in this territory after their
division on party lines; the contest as
sumed proportions and took a shape
that were exceedingly painful to me
as an individual: and [ felt that it was
only proper that. as one of the first
presidency, should abstain from any
public avOWal of my political faith.
though at he same time my friends
never had any difficulty in knowing
my political VfeWs-to them ex-
pressed them with entire freedom. But
felt that I ought to occupy a posi-
ton where no craftsmanship OF even 20
HtlcaI zeal might cut me off from
friendly association with and access
to my brethren of either shade of po-
Ht1cal belief where proper matters Of
counsel might require that we come
together in amicable consultation. But
l was compelled to take this course by
another and probably more potent mo-
tive: My son was candidate for dele
gate to Congress. and I knew very
well that if l were regarded as an ac-
tive partisan, whatever l might do or
might not do would be construed, az
this writer has construed my acts. as
working for and aiding in his election
He was a candidate in 1892 as well as
in 1S9Anot at my wish. for I would
have been better pleased had he not
been put forward; and is it not COM
plete answer to the charge that my
influence carried the territory for the
Republican party and Frank J. Cannon
in 1894, to recall the fact that the
same influence could not or at least
did not secure the success of that
party and that candidate two years
before? If, as the Times correspond
ent AYERS in one place, my influence is
decreasing. how does he account for
this seemingly inverse manifestation
of its power?
In conclusion. I beg pardon of the
public for troubling them with any Of
my personal affairs or with my denial
Of these multiplied and scandalous
charges. It is only just, however, for
me to Say that if l have Wronged any
man in this or any other community,
and he will make 1t clear [ stand
ready to return fOurfOld, so long as I
have any property with which to do
it. I have endeavOred to live an hon
est life, and to take no advantage Of
my fellowman- Instead of deriving
profits directly from the church, [ do
not draw one dollar from it. / en-
deavor to serve it for my love of it;
and my time and whatever ability
and means have had have ever been
at the service of the Church of Jesus
Christ Of Latetr-day Saints. If ] have
influence with the people, [ have en-
deavored to gain it by a truthful. up
right and straightforward course. That
this attack upon me is a personal one,
prompted by motives which I, at least.
can understand, is plain to be seen
from the manner in which the writer
treats the subject upon which he
writes He is careful to separate my
conduct and business operations from
those of my brethren with whom I am
closely associated. I alone am ac-
cused Of wrongdoing; 1 alone am
singled opt for his SANDER. This is
evidently done for a purpose 1 think
1 know what that purpose it, and the
source from which the attack eman-
ates. GEORGE Q. CANNON