Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-28

power. The formation OF the state Of
Utah was a purely political proceeding.
No church. sect or religious body was
or could have been treated with for
that purpose. No matter what discus
sion or correspondence or any other
communications may have occurred be-
tween individuals or officials on either
side. previous to the action Of Congress
for the organization OF the state, the
entire matter was comprehended In and
settled by the agreement required In
the Enabling Act and complied with
In the state Constitution. II the Press
win adopt our suggestion and examine
those instruments carefully, 1t cannot
fan 10 see The point We have herein put
forth.
Now in regard to the position Of the
Mormon" Church, It's doctrines dis
cipllne. missionaries and alleged con-
ncction with the State. We certainly
do take the ground that these can be
properly understood in no other way,
than by investigation OF that which the
Church and It's accredited representa-
tives present. Is this singular POSI-
ton to take? Is any church to be
judged By the assertions OF It's antago-
nlsts? Is the Roman Catholic church
to be guaged and condemned by the
stories OF escaped nuns and per-
jured, recreant priests? Is a political
party to be viewed through the colored
glasses Of it's violent opponents? Why
should any person, party or church not
be looked upon in the light Of It's own
claims and representations, instead Of
the Misrepresentation Of its enemies?
The Press says "The Constitution Of
Utah, with It's provisions against polyg-
amy, was plainly accepted by the
Mormons with not the slightest in
tention Of observing those provisions"
Honestly now, Mr.. Press, Is that sem
tence anything more than prejudieed
assumption? How do you know what
the intention Of the "Mormons" was in
accepting those provisions? Are you
not jumping at conclusion from I'M
aginary premises? You speak Of THE
impunity with which they have been
violated" Will you please tell US one
case Of the violation Of the provisions
Of the Enabling Act and State Consti-
tuition in Utah? We say that has not
been and cannot be done.
The Press. quoting from another
paper, says the Mormons to make an
impression on the President and Con-
gress, are displaying a great deal Of
activity in prosecuting the violators Of
the anti-polygamy statutes" This Is
another bit Of proof that the Press Is
in outer darkness on Utah affairs. In
the first place. as we have said, there
has been no violation or the anti-polyg-
amy statute Of the State. No such
q case has come before the courts. In
the second place, the "Mormons' have
not been prosecuting persons for al
legged violation of any other statute. The
cases to which the Press refers were
not cases Of polygamy, which is
felony, but Of misdemeanor, and were
punished with heavier penalties than
are common In many other States, and
the prosecuting officers and the courts
were not ''Mormons."
There are other remarks made by the
Press which are but echoes Of old SIAN
ders that pass for truth among unin-
formed people and papers, which we
need not notice at present. What we
have cited show that our position is
correct; that the Press talks glbly and
sometimes Violently, Of things lit does
not understand; and that while It draws
Its alleged information from anti-"Mor-
mon" sources, II will continue 10 houn-
der about in the fogs OF error and in the
boys Of pitiful misunderstanding and
delusion. And what we say Of the 81.
Paul Pioneer Press applies equally to
other public journals which, while
possessed Of much ability, are utterly
inconsistent and unfair In their treat
ment Of Mormon" subjects and the
ITtah ouestion