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

concerning the principles N their faith
notwithstanding his opportunities for
learning them. has once more appeared
In print on Mormon Problems" The
old gentleman II no doubt thoroughly
honest nnd sincere In his opinions and
In his statements Of facts. 10 far as
they have come under his observation.
II IL only when he attempts to explain
Mormon doctrines that he shoota
wide OF the mark. For instance. he APP
pcara. even at this late date. to be
under the Impression that the Solomon
spauldlng story. which has been 80
,horoushly exploded. accounts for the
origin " the Book Of Mormon.
In n long article over his signature
which appears In the Boston Herald Of
Nov Goth. he tells the splulding story
with all the old details. apparently
ignorant Of the fact that THE Manu-
script Found" ns the story was en-
titled. II indeed q manuscript found.
that II Il now In the library Of obcrlin
College. Ohio. and that II bears no more
resemblance TO the Book u Mormon
than ton cont novel docs to stand
ard work on navigation. The Boston
Herald. however. adopts the Captain =
statement and cniargcs upon II edit
torially, not knowing any better. 81
courrc
We notice also that In the general at
tack upon "Mormonlsm" recently made
from the pulpitn Of the various Chris
tian denominations. this same old flc-
ton has been used ~ one of the prin-
clpai weapons. What connection there
In between II and the election Of the
Congressman from Utah. which II the
main subject u the arguments both u
the Captain. the newspapers and the
preachers. II II rather difficult 10 per-
ccive. but. nevertheless. the spauldlns
Story IL rtiil regarded as bombuhcll
against "Mormonism." and IL therefore
fired from numerous pulpita and many
public journals.
Captain Goldman views the election OF
n. ". Roberts as mistake or worse.
hut he puts that down to the debit OF
the Democratic party of which he IA 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 N Of the opln-
ion that tho furorc now raised viii
have the eject OF spreading the very
system and doctrines which nnti-"Mor-
mons desire to suppress. Here are a
few paragraphs from his very interest
Ing though lengthy article;
An opportunity has been given to cx.
citabie pefHons TO make use % this
election FOR invoighlng against Nor
monism' generally. The clergy Of the
land are receiving circulars urging
them to preach against the Mormon
religion, as " evident from half a DOE
en tracts scnt 10 them by the League
for Social Service Most ~ thom are
tho productions Of ministers In Salt Lake
cry. There IL only one of these which
bears particularly on this election. aud
that II entitled Reasons Why brigham
II. Roberts should Re Expelled From
the United States Cungrcsa That IL
really the only point at issue. aud the
matter lies wholly IN the hands Of con-
the action their body can tnko In ac-
cordanoe with the Constitution.
1t II true that, according 10 the pro-
Visions OF acts OF Congress- In 1852 and
1851, a polygamlst was disqualified from
holding office as an American citizen, In
the TERRITORIES. the District " Colum-
bln, aud In all other plhcea where tn.
United states government had supreme
control, How far the admission OF Utah
60 Statehood since that time contra
Neneh this legislation may be u quoa-
ton, but II N not Ia b. decided by the
impassloncd harnnguea " oratora,
either at fremont Temple or the temple
IN Salt Lake, All that there ~ left for
ns to do IL 10 hope ana pray. II We
please, that Roberts should be- deprived
Of his HYal, and thus that a proper re-
buke should ~ administered 20 the
Democrats and tho religious fanatics
" Utah.
AT the same time. It must be con.
fetsed that, No FAR from stopping the
spread OF 'Mormonism,' such action on
the part of Congress might be Wel-
coined by tho Priesthood as an nutnuu.
nlstic todcrnl laws IN times past have
been. They have always thrlycd on
'peraeeutlonf,' on the principle that
the blood % the martyrs Is the seed ~
inc church Every meeting like that
81 hoaton, every attack ON tholr mis-.
rionnricf, and every newspaper blast. Il
fully reported In their church orgln.
with the purpose ~ binding tho Bs1ple
more firmly together IN tho mainten-
Anoe % their faith"
Concerning the dlscontlnunnco Of
polygnmous or plural marriages. By tho
'Mormons,' Captain Goldman cxprenos
his confidence In the action taken by
the people, who, In conference assem-
hled. endorsed the manifesto Of the
President OF the Church ia 1880. ana he
says;
knowlng the lnt. President Wood.
run as well as did. / have fuiI faith In
MS assurances that the church viii not
violate ~ agreement with the govern
ment ana President Snow, Who has
Huceeeded HIN. h. an equally honorable
man whether the few old polygumlsts
VINO are ieft should retain thHr extra
MlNea may De n question, but 10 n not
ah important one, ana % break up their
ta'nules OF long standing would cortain-
nv hardship tO many Old men and
woh.h Nothing could be more SENSE.
'ss4 thah lhf attempt Which IL uoW be-
.k ,iaue 90 scare MS with the fear that
wy aolmons arp not only about TO rp.
.sthhllsh polygnny In Utah, but that
mey PROPOSE 10 make It's practice uni.
sNlshl IN tho United stuies on Inc
sonuaty' n tho Church should b. All.
o"tu 70 re;ruct ~ solemn Obligation
70 perform mo- more plural mnrrlasea /
IA.