Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-08-22
now TO KNOW.

To this time OF political excitement
there are many people who are puzzled
and bowildered over the situation and
are. like others In the religious world
tossed TO and fro and carried about
with every wind u doctrine" OF
course there are some folks who take
no interest whatever IN politics, or In
deed In anything but 10 work, eat sleep
and wear clothes; they are not dis
turbed by affairs OF state and do
not care who Is IN or out OF office or
which party Is in the ascendant But
there are others, forming a very large
class, who want 20 know what is right.
and the best thing TO do when the time
comes 10 vote on national Affairs, but
are "on the fence" and undecided as to
which way to jump.
The Deseret News has no advice 10
give on this tcklish question which
could be fairly construed as favorng
any particular candidate OF party. But
II can and does urge upon all people
the necessity Of thinking FOR them
selves, and acting on their own respon-
sibility, instead OF being led by the
nose. or pulled by a string, at the
manipulation Of partisan politicians
who see no good IN their opponents and
admit no evil among themselves.
II any person wishes 20 learn the
principles and claims Of a political or
ganlzatIon, he should not seek Tor that
Information from rs enemies The
last source TO 30 TO for an explanation
OF Republican doctrine Is 10 the Demo
oracy, and one would look In vain to
kepublicanism for a correct exposition
Of Democratic principles We do not
mean 10 say there are no partlsans on
either side who would fairly represent
the other But we do affirm that the
enreat and most rational course Tor In
quirers TO pursue, IS 70 go 10 the plat
form and the supporters OF anv party
whose principles they desire TO learn.
Political champions are apt 10 dlstort
the position Of their foes. 20 put IL In
colored light and occasionally 10 mis-.
represent Il entirely. This is a fault
10 be found with some advocates I'm all
the parties, and the only safe way for
an unbiased investigator. is 10 allow
each party TO speak for itself. as 20 It's
own views aims and promises. Never
mind the attacks they make upon each
other but compare principles and noml-
nees' and then act according to your
best Judgment that IL the counsel OF
the News to the class which we de-
sire TO address.
We ofier the same advice 10 peopIs
who wish TO Investigate a religion. II
they want 10 know what Catholicism Is.
they should not 90 10 Protestants. who
denounce RomanIsm. ~ they want to
study Presbyterianism. they should not
Inquire Of Methodists, or vice versa. To
learn anything Of "Mormonism," It is
utter waste OF time 20 ask any of the
eSpounders OF sectarian theology or
the writers who engage in attacks upon
the 'Mormons" Strange 20 say. the
bulk OF the information obtained
On this subject is drawn from its most
virulent assailants. The nonsense that
IS published concerning It 10 the news
papers and magazines. and In most OF
the encyclopedias, is the fabrication OF
It's enemies, chief among whom are
the blreling preachers Of the sectarian
churches.
We protest against this unreasonable
and unsatisfactory method Of proceed
ure, In politics and IN religion. II
YOU want TO know the truth about
either, go TO the authorized opponents
Of the party or the system TO be in-
yestlgnted There Is more misrepre-
sentation in political newspapers and
speeches than on any other theme exc
cept "Mormonlsm." That Is the target
against which the shafts Of falsrhood
are hurled from the pulpit and the
press, until tie truth concerning lt IS
almost hidden from the public gaze and
NHal iIht ANl AlAt AiAlAAtAAN VI NN' "'"l-
ons and the noise OF their discharge.
II Is vain to expect fairness IN poll
tloal struggle. 50 It Is 70 look for the
truth about the "Mormons" from their
religious enemies. When n partisan
press ceases TO lampoon and libel and
burlesque the views and candidates OF
q party that q seeks to conquer, and
the sectarian pulpit quits defaming the
"Mormons" and dlstorting and lying
about their doctrines, we may look for
the usherng In OF the Millennium and
the beginning OF the reign Of righteous
ness and peace Let an who want 20
known The truth about parties or re-
Ieions. inquire Of their recognized au-
tbar.u5s and not OF their antagonists
however reputable and respectable.