The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-10
THE HERALD.

company.
AT this stage in its career it is deem
ed fitting for The Herald to make
eclaration-perhaps new declaration
of it's present and future policy. In do
ing so we shall be explicit and clear.
The Herald will continue the consist
emit advocate of the principles which
led to the organization of the Demo-
cratic party, and which, until the days
of this administration, in the main,
guided is conduct in the adnlinistra-
ton of the government when intrusted
with power
These principles are imbued with and
breathe the spirit of freedom. civil, po-
litical and religious.
To the extent of it's ability and infiu-
ence The Herald will stand for the full
est exercise of freedom on the part of
the citizen in all matters not endanger-
ing the public safety.
It will resist any encroachment upon
the right of free thought, free speech
and free action in civil and political af-
fairs whether the tyrannizing influence
emanates from a church or from the
state.
The Herald will not concede to any
church or the leaders thereof in this
free state (admitted under the solemn
pledge that it should remain free) that
it or they may dictate or advise who,
OF all its members, or, of a large
class of its members, may or
may not engage in politics.
or become candidates for office; for the
Acknowledgement of such right and
the liberation of it's exercise would
sap the foundations of the free state
make it the tool of the church, and
in the end turn it into an instrument
of it's propaganda.
No citizen of Utah, whatever his
station may be, should permit his po-
litical voice or action to be stifed or
turned aside from what he deems the
right Let the full force of his individ-
uality be made manifest in the affairs
of the state, absolutely free from die
tation or control, ecclesiastical or
otherwise. In so doing he will find
The Herald his ally and supporter.
The Herald will stand for the peace.
progress and development of Utah,
and the prosperity and happiness of
all her people. But there can be no
peace at the price of servility or at the
sacrifice of any of the rights of the cit
izen, or at TIE cost of the domination
of a church in the affairs of the
state
The Herald will endeavor, fearlessly
and fairly, to do it's duty as public
journal to the end that all pledges
may be honorably redeemed, all our
brightest hopes realized, and that all
our people in their various pursuits
may progress in freedom, peace and
happiness.
Salt Lake City, Utah, May TO- 1896
To The Herald Company:
Gentlemen-I herewith respectfully
tender to you my resignation as edi-
tor of The Herald. My reason for this
step is that in the announcement of
the editorial policy of the new COM
Dany, published above, you say:
The Herald will not concede to
any church or the leaders thereof in
this free state (admitted under the
solemn pledge that it should remain
free) that it or they may dictate or
advise who of all It's members may or
may not engage in politics or become
candidates for office; for the acknowl-
edgement Of such right and the toll
GRAFTON of its existence would sap the
foundations of the free state, make it
the tool of the church and in the end
turn it into an instrument of its pro-
paganda."
In the abstract I have no fault
whatever to- find with this declaration
of policy, but considered in connection
with recent events in this state, and
the declaration made by the Mormon
church (of which I am member and
officer) at its late conference, in which
is promulgated the rule 1 quote below.
1 cannot see my way clear to con-
tinue in the position of editor of The
Herald. as 1 fear misunderstanding
and unpleasantness would grow out
of the rather complicated state of af-
fairs which this announced policy
would likely force upon me.
The church rule above referred to as
promulgated by the church, and which
L as an officer of the church signed, is
as follows:
First-We unanimously agree to and
promulgate as rule that should al
ways be observed in the church and
by every leading official thereof, that
before accepting any position, political
or otherwise, which would interfere
with the proper and complete dis
charge Of his ecclesiastical duties, and
before accepting a nomination or
entering into engagements to perform
new duties, said official should apply
to the proper authorities and learn
from them whether he can, consistent
ly with the obligations already entered
into with the church upon assuming
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