Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-15
"FIGHT FAIR" IL AT ALL.

During Che controversy over the SUD-
lect which has caused so much agita-
ton In Utah, and more particularly IN
this city. an excitement has arisen
which is unnecessary and Is not beneil-
cial. It causes people to say and do
things that are uhwise and which many
Of them will regret when they come to
their sober senses. II is better TO ap-
proach the questions that are discussed
with calmness and due regard for the
opinions Of opponents.
The Deseret News does not endorse
remarks which reflect upon the honesty
integrity or ability Of gentlemen OF The
medical profession. against whom there
Is no charge that either the law or
their acquaintance would notice. we
certainly DO not echo the sentiment that
mercenary motives prompt their course,
IN maintaining the views Of their school
as to the merits Of vaccination. lm-
putting to them improper motives adds
nothing to the value Of arguments
against their theories. Their sincerity
will be conceded by just and reasonable
people.
On the other hand, their position Is
not fortified in the least by the re.
Elections which a few Of their number
cast upon those ladies and gentlemen
professional or otherwise, who dispute
the correctness OF the conclusions ar
rived at by medical orthodoxy II does
not matter what may be the social
or professional standing Of an ind 'ldual
who cites facts and figures from reliable
sources. II he or she presents proof
which cannot be successfully oontro-
yerted. they are not set aside by dig
niiied wave Of the hand. or naughty re-
fusal TO recognize the individual who
presents them.
sull worse than the disposition here
deprecated, are deliberate attempts to
mlsrepresent the attitude, reasonlngs
and intents OF advocates Of either
theory. They not only fail to effect any
good but they provoke and stimulate
evil. They stir up strife and create
animosliy. They also suggest the
thought and often lead to the oonyic-
ton. that those who thus distort and
burlesque and rldlcule instead Of maxi
Ing straight reply TO the arguments of
opponents, are on the wrong side OF the
question and are simply endeayorlng to
eyade the Issue.
The question Of the virtues or other
wise Of vaccination Is too serious and
nomentous to be brushed aside by such
methods. and the age in which we live
II too far advanced 20 bend 20 the
dotum Of any school OF medicine or
body Of officials, that attempts 60 ride
over the investigations Of independent
minds or the rights of individual cItl-
zens. The subject is under critical in-
Qu!ry among the greatest thinkers Of
the times, and those who have only
studied one side Of II, or have simply
accepted the conclusions reached by
the regular and recognized portions Of
the medical faculty, are not aware Of
the great uprising against those deduc-
tons.
The contention, however, on which
the Deseret News has taken decided
position, Is on the right Of believers IN
the virtues Of vaccination 60 force the
practice upon those who 90 not. We re-
peat, We have no quarrel with people
who Tant to be vacoinated or 10 have
their children subjected 20 the opera
ton, but We want them 20 have the
same consideration for others who
most strongly object TO It In practice
and reDudiate 1t In theory Let US all
De fair In our discussion and avoid
onger and excitement