Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-08
THE WEAPONS AGAINST US,


II IL remarkable fact, which has
been patent all along In the history ~
"Mormonism." that Its enemies have
been compelled. In order to fight II with
any hope 81 success, TO resort TO the
weapons OF falaehood and misrcprcscn-
tatlon. There IN not fo-cnilcd history
Of the church. outside 81 that which II
has published. which contain even a
semblnncc Of the truth.
Incidents are related that never oc-
CURED. Actual events are 80 distorted
and glnringiy cpiorcd aa to be equal to
untruths. The personal conduct en-
deavors md Intentions Of the leaders
OF the Church ana also Of their fol-
lowers. have been brutaily and inten-
tionaiiy misreprcsontcd. The doctrines
and ordinances Of tho church have
been burlcsqucd. The most sacred
principles and ceremonies Of the church
have been rldlcuicd and lampooncd
And the most horrible tales Of crime
and bioodshcd and treason have been
told about tho "Mormons" In every
civilized country on earth.
The chief promoters OF these attacks
have. jbcen religious preachers and
: writer's. The same class are doing the
same kind OF work today. Pretending
To- act the role OF investigators. they
take the part OF collectors Of anti
Mormon literature and lurid fo-
manccs, which thoy deal out to the
public whose Rppctitea are whettcd for
~. = l.sH -.
marks. when they give what they
call the Mormon" side OF the question.
II IL 20 stated as to convey the very
reverse Of that which the Lattcr-day
Saints believe and practice.
This course taken by the religious
world. or It's most prominent people. II
pnraliclcd TO some extent by the pro-
ccdurc OF political antagonists Of the
church and It's members They In
variably either step outside Of the Con-
rtitution Of our country. or 90 stretch
Its provisions and depart from its spirit
an to render i,a influence and protoc-
ton without force. The action taken
ut Washington on Tuesday. no matter
how much II may be defended by the
multltudcs who desire the suppression
OF "Mormonlsm" or who think II viii
have some bearing on the extinction
Of poiyEamy. was nevertheless a depar-
,urc from the plaln provisions Of both
the supreme law u the land and the
congressional laws In pursuance there
". and also FROM the established rulcs
Of procedure OF the body In which Il
occurred. This ~ recognized by people
who have not iost their senses during
the present uproar. and by many In
fucntiai papers la different parts Of tho
country.
Al that. while very unpleasant, has
this much consolation 60 the Latter
day Saints: Il In good evidence to
them that the principles which thcy
have embraced. and to which many OF
them have devoted their lives aud their
best energies. are true. Falsehood II
invoked agnina, them because truth
win not answer the purpose OF che OPP
position. Truth never clashes with It.
self. Also the course they have pur-
sued ana intend 60 purBuc IL within the
strict boundaries of the Constitution NJ
our country. That they are required
90 support. That by the grace Of God
they intend TO maintain. Unless that
instrument be violated ana placed In
jeopardy. the work marked out for
them by divine Providence would fail
OF accomplishment. The servants Of
God VIII yet have 20 rally round that
palladium of human rights and save
II from destruction, II must first be In
danger; tina, It will be-, the trend OF
events distinctly forcshndows.
The Latter-day Saints may rect their
souls In patience and watch the signs
Of the times In comparative peace. In
diyidunls may suffer and wrongs will
have 20 be endured. But all that IL
intended Tor evil viii BE- ovorruled for
good. The triumph Of che truth II as
sured, And The system now assallcd
by falsehood anl methods that arc In
defcnslhic from the standpoint Of jus
ticc and constitutional right. will prov,
the salvation NJ the nation the pre-
server OF liberty and the harbluger OF
the millennlal dawn. We can AFFORD IL
watch ana 10 wait.