Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-12-18

civil or political affairs.
AS Latter-day Saints we are doubly
bound to lake cognizance of this, 10y
atty to the government protecting u,
demands It and the law of the Lord re
quires II. Iquote'from section IS, para.
graph II, page arg, Book of Doctrine
and Covenants: "Let no man break the
law of the land, for he that keepeth the
laws of God hath no need to break the
laws of the land" Again, from section
90, paragraphs 4 to 9 inclusive, page
42: "And now, varily say unto you
concerning the laws of the land, it is my
will that my people should observe to
do all things whatsoever command
them; and that The law of the land is
constitutional, supporting that principle
of freedom In maintaining rights and
privileges, belongs to all mankind, and
Is justifable before me; therefore, l, the
Lord, justify you, and your brethren Of
my church, In befriending that law
which is the constitutional law of the
land, and as pertaining to the law of
man whatsoever is more or less than
these cometh of evil, I, the Lord God,
make you free, therefore are you free
indeed: and the law also maketh you
free, nevertheless, when the wicked rule
the people mourn
There is no room here for comment.
1t holds me In the silken warp and wool
of liberty and love woven in the AL
mighty's loom of truth and justice.
Planting my feet upon that divinely in
spired platform and laying upon its altar
honor, fortune and If necessary, life
itself, look anxiously but hopefully
forward to the day when petty jealous
les, envious hatred and malicious accu-
sations shall be deeply buried beneath
mountains of peace, prosperity and hap
piness resting permanently, In Utah,
upon the wide federation and good will
of her inhabitants towards all creeds
and classes throughout the world
Should live to witness one such day
the beginning of series that should
not end, the memory of pains, afflic-
lions, tears and signs shall pass even as
dream at the dawn of new day.
Utah's pioneer's-the aged and vener-
able, Utah's brave sons and daughters
deserve such a happy contamination.
And, what Is there In hunnan require
ment or divine injunction to prevent
me from humbly trying to devote the
remainder of my days to the cause in
which have spent nearly forty years?
1t is true there are some of the stakes
In Zion whose good people, as you state,
have never visited at their homes
But 1t Is equally true that nearly half
my time since became a member of
the church has been spent upon mis-
sions of various kinds. During period
of six years crossed the line into Mex
leo some twenty three times; and for
quite long period my annual travels
covered from $1,000 to 10000 miles a
year. There are, believe, some of the
members of the quorum to which once
had the honor of belonging, who have
never, to my knowledge, been on mis-
sion at all. But l would not infer from
that that they have neglected the duties
of their calling.
AS have already stated, 1 under.
stood the manifesto at the time 1t was
handed me for approval just as un-
HOW WuliE II O6lGIlb1DlY
appeared not to restrict the liberties of
the people, yet there vas no Limitation
to its application, and in view of the
fact that nearly every male member of
the church holds some Office, and, as
there has, as yet, been no public decision
announced as to the officers to be con
trolIed by 1t, there have arisen disputes
and differences of opinion as to Its In
tent REh{a hatnnr tNtYa and
being that 1t could be applied to restrict
the liberties of the people, | cannot
sustain it. thought then, as I think
now, that such a course would be
qualification. had never dreamed
that condition would arise in nfgs life
where could not serve God fully and
yet yield my complete allegiance to my
country and to my state. The spirit Of
the manifesto, as It appealed to me. was
in violent antagonism to all | had
believed and publicly proclaimed for
many years, and | could not, and, so
far, have not been able to bring myself
to the point where believe should
yield my political judgement to any set
of men, however praiseworthy their in
tentions.
The position taken by me in political
affairs was one that could not alter.
Through my veins and into them for
generetions has been sifted blood that
acknowledged the supremacy OF the
people only In civil affairs. Because of
his 1t was easy for me to understand
and accept the principles of Christ as
explained by our church, which, as |
understand them, accord the right of
freedom and grant the free agency OF
man before God and among men. And
1t is because these rights are accorded
men under the gospel of Christ, as &C
eepted by Latter-day Saints that have
yielded obedience to the gospel, have
labored for 1t and love 1t for the labor
have given It.
This assertion may not be accepted BY
you, but such activity as | have shown
In politics have been caused by an anx-
iety to preserve the reputation of my
file leaders when they gave assurances
of political honesty among the Saints,
for there were intimations-and they
are well known-that In pledging polit-
ical freedom to the people of Utah,
the authorities were insincere in their
declarations My unwillingness to take
part In democratic campaigns, In face of
the course of my republican brethren,
was one of the grounds on which 1t was
reported that the church authorities
had broken faith. While have loved
democracy because, to me, its name
embodies all of civil liberty, yet | did
not want to take an active part in poll
tics because of nv Door health and