Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-11-28
THE PRESENT AGITATION.

1.-THE real point Of assault Is upon
the Mormon Church, and eftort shou l1
not be FILTERED away In more doubuui
quarters
That Is from the Boston Herald, ana
a. the concluding sentence OF long
editorial on the contest which Is oelns
made by the various churches OF the
country. against The Congressman
from Utah. They take the position
that he Is the representative OF the
Mormon" Church, and the Herald
thinks that Church can b. attacked In
another and more consistent and sue
cessful manner,
II Is because the Church Of Jesus
Christ Of Latier-day Saints is the op'
jective point, against which all the
shafts Of the preachers and religious
societies are really hurled, while they
take their wordy aims against Mr..
Roberts. that the Deseret News entera
che field as the defender Of the Church.
II matters not that some folks say:
"Oh, this Is a political matter and the
News mustn't touch poltics." II IL
made Church matter by the pastors
and members Of religious sects, and
for that reason We touch upon IT, meet
ing them on their own ground.
There are several points that should
be made clear in the controversy, and
they will stand out, prominent and
sharp. when the smoke and the dust
raised by sophists and senseless clam
orers are waited away.
First, that the Mormon Church has
been and is untruthfully charged with
the nomination and election Of B. II.
Roberts 60 Congress.
Second, that the Democratic party Of
Utah is alone responsible for the whole
matter.
Third that both 'Mormuns' and non.
"Mormons supported him in convene
lion and at the polls
Fourth, that large numbers Of Nor
mons" including many OF the most in,
fuential Of their leading men, voted
Tor and urged The election Of the OPP
posing candidate,
Fifth. that they did this as citizens,
and not as Church leaders or Church
members.
Sixth, that the hue and cry against
the successful candidate was first raised
for partisan reasons, but was taken up
by the preachers and churches as pre-
text for a general warfare on Mormon
ISM"
Seventh, that the seating or unseatlng
OF the gentleman elected by the Demo-
Gratis Of Utah will have no more effect
on "Mormonism" or the marriage Ques-
tion, than It Will upon the policy Of ter
rltorlal expansion or the problem Of
Philippine government.
Eighth, that the State ~ Utah has
faithfully kept the implied compact as
10 'polygamous or plural marriages"
contained In the Enabling Act on the
one hand and the State Constitution on
The other.
Ninth. that there has been less big
amy or polygamy in Utah since the
requirement Of Statehood, than there
has been since that date In any other
State OF the Union.
Tenth, that the Mormon Church
has been maligned, mlsrepresenied and
abused by some religious ministers for
the sake Of pelf. and by many others in
ignorance Of the truth and because they
relied on the statements OF wllful de-
ceivers.
The results. as We have an along
maintained, win be beneficial. "Onenses
must come" the Founder OF our faith
declared. II we ada the rest Of His
saying. "Wo unto them by whom they
come, We shan most likely be accused
Of threatening the authors Of the pres
snt anti-"Momon' crusade. But while
the sufferers from the tumult have 10
bear Il with as much patience as hui
manity can exercise. they can rejoice In
the assurance tina, 1t VIII all work to-
gether for good"
We have no fear OF agitation. II Is
apathy, lethargy indifference and stag
aatlon that stand most IN the way u
'Mormonism Let the storm rage
and the elements ferment' The noise
counts FOR little. ana the working Will
ubside. Then The truth viii come up
per1nost and justice viii be done.