Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-11-27
CAPTAIN GOODMAN SPEAKS,

: Our old friend, Capt. John Goldman,
who spent a considerable time In Utah,
and knows a good deal about the Nor
mon" people but understands very little
concerning the principles Of their faith.
Notwithstanding his opportunities for
learning them, has once more appeared
in print on Mormon Problems The
old gentleman is no doubt thoroughly
honest and sincere in his opinions and
In his statements Of facts, so far as
they have come under his observation
II is only when he attempts 10 explain,
Mormon" doctrines that he shoots
wide Of the mark. For instance. he APP
pears. wen at this late date. to be
under the impression that the Solomon
~Spaulding story, which has been so
thoroughly exploded, accounts for the
origin OF the Book OF Mormon.
In a long article over his signature
which appears IN the Boston Herald Of
Nov. goth. he tells the spaulding story
with all the old details. apparently
ignorant OF the fact that THE Manu-
script Found" as the story was en-
titled, is indeed a manuscript found.
that It Is now in the library OF Oberlin
College. Ohio, and that it bears no more
resemblance TO the Book Of Mormon
than a ten cent novel does to a stand
ard work on navigation, The Boston
Herald, however. adopts the Captains
statement and enlarges upon II edi-
torially, not knowing any better, Of
course.
We notice also that in the general at
tack upon "Mormonism' recently made
from the pulpits OF the various Chris
tian denominations, this same old ic-
ton has been used as one Of the prin-
olpal weapons. What connection there
is between It and the election Of the
Congressman from Utah, which Is the
main subject Of the arguments both Of
the Captain, the newspapers and the
preachers, II Is rather difficult 20 per-
ceive. But, nevertheless. the Spaulding
Story Is still regarded as a bombshell
against "Mormonism," and Is therefore
fired from numerous pulpits and many
public journals.
Captain Goldman views the election OF
r. H. Roberts as a mistake or worse,
but he puts that down to the debit Of
the Democratic party Of which he is a
member, and he takes issue with the
preachers and editors who regard that
election as an attack on the institutions
Of the country. He also is Of the opln-
ion that the furore now raised will
have the effect OF spreading the very
system and doctrines which anti Nor
mons desire to suppress, Here are a
few paragraphs from his very interest
Ing though lengthy article:
An opportunity has been given 10 cx.
citabIe persons TO make use Of this
election for inyeighlng against Nor
monism' generally. The clergy Of the
land are receiving circulars urging
them 10 preach against the Mormon
religion, as is evident from half a doz.
en- tracts sent 20 them by the League
for Social Service. Most OF them are
the productions Of ministers in Salt Lake
city There Is only one q these which
bears particularly on this election. and
that Is entitled Reasons Why Brigham
II. Roberts Should Be Expelled From
the United States Congress- That Is
really the only point at issue, and the
maffgp los WbnfIy a. sh. t,vl. 80
gressmen, who are the best judges OF
the action their body can take In ac-
cordance with the Constitution.
1t Is true that, according 20 the pro-
visions Of acts Of Congress in 1852 and
1851, a polygamist was disqualified from
holding Office as an American citizen. In
the Territories, the District OF Colum-
bia, and In all other places where the
United States government had supreme
control, How far the admission Of Utah
Co Statehood since that time contra
venes this legislation may be a ques-
ton, but il Is not to BE- decided By the
imprisoned harangues Of orators.
either at fremont Temple or the temple
In Salt Lake. All that there Is left for
as to do is TO hope and pray. II we
please. that Roberts should be deprived
OF his seat, ana thus that a proper re-
buke should be administered To the
Democrats and the religious fanatics
Of Utah.
AT the same time, 4 must be con.
fessed that, SO FAR from stopping the
spread Of MormOnism.' such action ON
the part Of Congress might be well
coined by the Priesthood, as all antago.
nistic federal laws In times past have
been. They have always thrlved on
prosecutions, on the principle that
The blood OF the martyrs Is the seed u |
the church. Every meeting Ike that
IN Boston, every attack on their mis-.
%slonartcs, and every newspaper blast. is
fully reported In their Church organ
with the purpose Of binding the people
more firmly together IN the mainten-
ance q their faith"
Concerning the discontlnuance Of
polygamous or plural marriages By the
"Mormons," Captain Goldman expresses
his confidence in the action taken by
the people, who, In conference assem-
bled, endorsed the manifesto OF the
President Of the Church in 1890. and he
says:
Knowing the late President Wood
run as well as / did. ! have fuil faith In
his assurances that the Church viii moi
NloIate rs agreement with the govern
ment and President Snow. who mas
succeeded him. IL an equally honorable
man whether the few OLD polygamlsts
VINO are ieit should retain their extra
wives may be n question. but IL IL not
an important one ana 10 break up their
anlaes az long standing would certain
p bt q hardship 60 many old men and
rohth- Nothing could be more sense.
',ess mar Toe attempt NAlch Is now be-
!.s maae 10 scare us with the fear that
we aornons are not only about TO ne
guoAsh poiygamy In Utah. but that
uel propose 20 make It's practice uni-
Nelsal IN me United States. on the
tSuusty u the Church should be al
$500 ~ tetract its solemn Obligation
70 Perform no more Mural morriSoNs
d0ubi Ii The nh.rir -,