The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-13

the state by the church. It would only
require great preponderance of citi-
zens that were guided by counsel to
subordinate state offices to priestly au-
thortty and presentation.
By means of this counsel as an
authorization to accept political nom-
nations, the priesthood assumes a pos
Tive and affirmative relation TO the
state. If the rule only prohibited
neglect and non-performance of Off
cial duty from any cause, and if 1t
demanded resignation from church Of
fees when new duties were assumed
that were incompatible with ecclesias-
teal duties-if this were the meaning
and force Of the rule, the priesthood
would occupy different relation to
the State-a negative one-and it
would not appear to qualify and au-
thorize for state service; it would sim
ply discipline for neglect and non-per-
Torrance of duty. AS the rule stands
now, the church assumes to counsel
for state service. There would neces-
sarily be discrimination and choice;
pre1udices and preferences would en-
ter into the work unconsciously; there
would be hundred avenues and in
ducements to fraud and oppression;
and, more than all, no faithful mem
Der could serve the state without do
ing it as a matter of counsel and
direction from the church.
This rule" as promulgated provides
a circle within circle-a wheel within
a wheel-and in the last analysis, a
very few minds, or possibly one mind,
presses the button and the body of the
church does the rest. Thus the net
work of guidance and authority tends
to destroy individuality and personal
liberty. In this regard it conflicts with
the equality and liberty incorporated
in the Declaration of independence.
There is one key and clue to American
institutions as conceived by Jefferson,
and that is the independence, freedom
and equality Of every human soul.
Every man and woman is entitled to
become, and should become, a factor
of the state through intelligent, indie
pendent and free action.
The principle" that vitalizes the
doctrine of priesthood is that of the
ocracy dispensed through descending
graGiations of priestly officials. The
principle" that animates the Ameri-
can system is that every man and
every woman is created in the image
and likeness of God, in virtue
of which each is a sovereign
unit of the state. These two ''prin-
ciples," allowing that both are gem
uine, operate in different spheres
neither Of which may be made subor-
man must be a sovereign acting freely
Independently and of equal right. There
must be no hierarchy in a state, for
every citizen is a king and sovereign.
The state must in nowise go to the
church for its right to be or TO do
In true state no man could be elect
ed to office, having been ''counseled"
thereto by the church; that is, if he
held himself primarily at the disposal
- L. ! l.
ed worthy of the state.
The ratification of the manifesto by
the stake conferences and ward
meetings as these are reported
in the newspapers, and especially
the action had in the priest
hood meeting at Logan, as thus
far reported, reveals the fact that OBJ
jections raised by church members are
chiefly on the ground that the mani
festo untruthfully denies the use of
church influence in the past in controll-
ing political affairs in Utah. A good
many signify their willingness to en-
dorse it, if such alleged false negations
are eliminated.
But let such dissenting brethren be
assured that if the simple denial of the
use of church influence in thus far
determining the status Of political par
ties in Utah be the only fault uf the
manifesto, it is not of sufficient inn
portance to justify any one in standing
out against it and subjecting them
selves to suspicion of disloyalty
church influence in the past is only
venal offense that can we'll be condoned
under all the circumstances. SO, if
that is all the fault there is in the man.
ifesto, do not fail to make your peace
with the authorities, and be reconciled
to the church.
In other words we could forget the
past with its numerous Irregularities,
were it not that the manifesto lays
the foundation for a church regime
similar in its significance and portent to
that which prevailed under the Peoples
party organization. 1t is more subtle
in its workings-mor deity devised
but if unimpeded it could not fail to
achieve results even more nicely and
effectively that the former political ma
chsnery. 1t is very true that much
would depend upon the character of
the men to whose manage ment the
institutions of the church should be
entrusted. With some only the good of
the church would be sought; but with
men of comprehensive and ambitious
minds, both church and state would be
covered by their aChminiStrat tons
Above all, the spheres of church and
state should be kept distinct; and
throughout all we should observe the
scripture rule-to avoid even the APP
pearance of evil.
The most notable example of non
conformity to the manifesto is Moses
Thatcher, man whose whole career
in politics and religion during the
past five or six years is gradually
showing up as genuinely patriotic, ra-
tional and religious. He seems at
once actuated by the spirit of Christ
and that of Thomas jefferson. He is
not only a Mormon but an American in
the best sense; and it is to be hoped that
his life will be prolonged that he may
be enabled to exemplify the dual atti-
tude of Christian and patriot that he
now occupies. But whether he lives
lcng or dies soon. Moses Thatcher's
soul is marching on
CALVIN REASONER.
May II, 1896.