Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-20
DEBATE AND CONTENTION.

In a letter from Denver, Colorado,
a reader Of the Deseret News calls at
tentlon to an account given in this pa
per Of Knock convention" held by
students Of the University Of Utah, In
which 1t is stated that the two political
parties were represented typical of
their great national prototypes. SO far
as noise, confusion, wire-pulllng and
party spirit are concerned, many Of the
students are now full-1edged polltl-
clans
The writer takes exception to these
proceedings and arrives at the conclu-
sion that "the aim Of the two parties
was victory" and that II such conten-
ton Is INDUCED in. then have we In
deed lost sight of the grand object Of
education" He quotes the renowned
scholar Webster as follows:
Knowledge does not comprise all
which is contained in the large term Of
education. The feelings are 20 be dis
cipined the passions are 10 be re-
strained true and worthy motives are
to be inspired profound religious
feeling Is 10 be instilled and pure
morality incucated under all clrcum-
stances All this is comprised in edu-
cation"
Then follows homily from our cor
respondent on the ideals which should
be held up before our youth, so that
there may be lnstilled into them some
thing higher, nobler and grander than
tie petty, yet soul-destroylng methods
practiced In political campaigns"
All that is very WELL II the hypothesis
on which our friend starts out Is cor
rect. We did not gather from the parti-
culars Of the mock convention" the
Idea that the noise. confusion and meth
DDS resortcd TO by national politicians
We're initiated, by way Of approval or
endorsement. or as a pattern or ideal
for the students to follow or pursue.
On the contrary, we understood that
they were burlesqued, II anything, and
Viewed more in derlsion than in appro-
baton. They were copied for the pur-
pose Of showing the schemes and spirit
OF such scenes Of tumult. not for adj
mlratlon but for information and re-
sistance.
II was a bit Of recreation for the
students In which they combined fun
with instruction, and learned some
thing Of the tricks Of professional poll
ticlans 80 that they might know how to
cope with them IL necessary. II is not
to be imagined that the University in
cludes In its political lessons, training
in the disreputable methods Of party
strife. This humorous convention" had
for its purpose different object entirely,
II depends upon the aim and spirit Of
any proceeding whether It is harmful or
beneficial.
The Deseret News does not endorse
contention for any purpose. Neither
does II apologize for noise, confusion.
wire-pulling. or any undetermined meth
Cd to achieve political or other sue
cess. All such things are contrary to
the spirit Of the system called Nor
monlsm." God is not the author OF
confusion" Neither does He move in
crooked paths His course Is open, frank
and straightforward, and the right and
truth are in all His ways,
Debate, discussion for the purpose Of
making plain the truth on any PROPOSE
tiQn Is different from contention. As
wisdom Is not cunning. nor cunning
wisdom, SO fair discussion Is not con-
tention. When people view n matter
In different ways, they may compare
opinions showing different sides
OF Il question with view to enlighten-
ing and benehting each other. and that
without contention In act or spirit.
Bring forth your strong reasons" Is a
divine demand. When anyone is not
willing to listen to a reason, or an argu.
ment or plain statement Of something
on which he takes a given view, he
shows disposition to be arbitrary
opinionated or dogmatic. unless It he
as 20 something which he absolutely
knows and does not need enllghten-
ment, or has not the time TO discuss.
Contention implies spirit Of contra
dictlon and strife. II signifies a desire
for the mastery whether right or
wrong. II is manifested In a kind OF
verbal pugilsm, in which the intent is
TO conquer and silence an adversary;
TO knock him out" in argument, rather
than to make clear the truth. I. Is
wrong, II is said in holy writ 20 oe
"of the devil" Yet the word conten-
ton Is used sometimes in the place OF
defence and OF true valor Contend
earnestly for the faith once delivered
10 the Saints, said the ancient Apostle
lie did not employ the term in its evil
sense.
Political contention Is productive OK
unpleasant and sometimes worse re-
suits. Party exigencies often require
the concealment OF facts and principles
and the unfolding Of measures and
statements that the clear light OF truth
and reason would show 10 be wrong.
Therein Is danger TO the party cham
pion and 10 the public welfare. Trick
cry. cunning. bribery, undue pressure,
and other means resorted 10 In order
to carry a point are not worthy III"
Imitation Of our people, old or young
To know OF them should be TO avoid
them. And the noise and tumult and
brow-beating OF some political as
sembiies, II ever shown up TO pupils,
should serve IN disgust them with such