Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-10-07

be towards me. I shall not stay in this
country very long. But ! realize
very wen that this people are grooming
under poverty, under ailliction. under
taxation, and In positions that they
ought not 10 be n they would only unlte
together and do their duty Ana tins
idea of n person being afraid OF some
body because he is a Democrat or a
Republican, II ~ all wrong, feel
like saying to YOU. as the President
of this Church and do state, that II
Is your duty to unite together ana ap-
point good men TO act in every capac-
ity for the public welfare. Therefore
let US do our duty, walk uprightly be
fore the Lord our God, and leave the
consequences with Him. do what Is
right. let tho consequences follow
which may God grant, for Christs
sake. Amen.
As already stated. certain classes
claim to have discovered in the fore
going an utterance of counsel to the
Latter-day Saints to depart from and
sweep away political party lines in all
their elections. We now ask all such
persons oandldly to state whether
fair perusal and an honest constitute
ton Of President Woodruff's words
will justify the conclusion referred to.
In common with thousands Of the
thinking people of this community his
mind was filed with reflections upon
the sad and Strengthened condition in
which the residents Of this city find
themselves through municipal mis-
government. In common, too. with
thousands of others, he holds views
and desired to express and did express
them in disapproval of the idea that
hide-b bound closely drawn, partisan
politics should be insisted up
on in purely local affairs.
Men Of all forms of religious
and political belief hold and express
these same views. But do they, or
does he, proceed from that basis to ad
wise or expect that there shall be
wholesale or even n partial dlslnte-
grafton Of parties. wiplns out of the
lines on which national or state is
sues are fought for and decided? Not
at al--and it is not only absurd
but dishonest TO make any such
charge. Not only his vn utterances
views as many times published before.
but the equally emphatic remarks of
others on the same subject, prove in
the most ample manner that no such
thought is entertained. one of the
most forcible discourses delivered dur
ing this very Conference was especial
ly strong in discussing this identical
HE
pleasure that national party lines
had been drawn in our State,
he believed in the movement
when it had its inception,
he believed in it now, and he
urged the people to be true to their
party convictions and loyal in their
support. It was n part Of the spirit
OF the Conference, as it has been and
is the desire and counsel Of the lead
ers Of the Saints all the time.
II It Is n crime or treason or heresy
for a man Of prominence and expert
ence to advise the people to select only
good men for office. the standard Of
political morality is surely in bad need
OF elevating. If 1t is n crime, Presi-
dent Woodruff is only one among mill
lions who can be accused. Why, the
parties themselves are prone to in
dulging in the same advice-''vote for
the best men for ofTlce-you will find
them on our ticket" His sole thought
was the betterment of local conditions
indeed the betterment of politics
itself Isn't It wise and safe at all
times to warn against extremes in
politics and partlsanshlp? Is 1t any
better TO be fanatic or a bigot in
politics than to be a fanatic or blgot
in religion or anything else?
A moments reelection in a
spirit of candor and with n
regard for the conditions which
exist in this city at present will con-
vince every one that there is not a
sentiment or q thought In President
Woodrum's remarks which need cause
fear or suspicion of the kind which
some people lgnorantly and carelessly
and others. we fear, maliciously hav,
| them. He spoke as wise father OF
| his people, true citizen Of State ant
| Nation, a tried servant of the Lore
| in promoting human salvation-hi
spoke as an honest, upright man; ant
| those who deny his right thus I,
speak. or who do not approve Of hi
Views when thus fairly explained ant
| properly presented, can make the mos
Of it..