Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-04
WE GIVE CREDIT.


to newspapers that show any disposi-
to be fair in reference TO the
"Mormons." We have had occasion TO
take up the defence when our cause has
been assalled by the Troy. N. Y, Press.
We now have an opportunity TO say
word In commendation Of that paper.
On January rs, 1t published in full an
editorial from the Deseret News, com
menting on the publication, by the
Press. Of book purportlng to be an
exposure OF "Mormonism." The Press
took the ground that II was a new thing
under the sun when It first appeared
In 1867. but II IL really little more than
a rehash OF anti-"Mormon' dishes
served up, at different times. many
years before. and most OF them long
since shown to be as incorrect as they
were unsavory. II Is the reproduction
Of our remarks that we now mention TO
the credit Of the Press.
Side by side with 1t. however, that
paper gives place to a column OF sour
rIlity from the pen OF person who
once spent some time In Utah. and
whose character for veracity CD was
fully shown up while he was here. We
have no desire TO repeat the expose
Nor will we drop down to the level Of
his position We are quite content to
let the two articles go before the Troy
public by way OF contrast. Our argu-
ments and his personalities; the plain
statements we made and his libidnous
and llbellous assertions; the simple
truth and the bitter overflow Of gall
The contrast ought TO be enough Tor
thinking and fair-minded readers, and
we will leave that matter without re-
taliation or reply. The Press no doubt
thought II was proper 10 give place to
both communications. and we believe
mat will do our cause and our Elders In
troy no real harm.
The Press speaks OF our comments as
ignoring its own remarks OF Jan. ii.
BY this time 1t will have seen that, In
a later issue Of the News" we gave
them full attention. and we viii be
pleased II It publishes our full reply
Ii is entirely mistaken In stating that
we paid no attention to Its charges, for
we quoted and replied TO them in our
daily issue of Jan, 20.
Our controversy with the Troy Press
was over Its attack on the Elders labor
ing as missionaries in that town. its at
tempts at intimidation. and Its covert
invitations 20 the people there, to meet
with ndignties and violence the peace
full efforts of gentlemen, who violated
no law, TO promulgate the principles Of
their faith. The Press remarks now:
We say again that the common prln"
cples Of freedom offer no Jusuhcauoh
forRtrange men, proselyters OF any falth'
to forget the sanctity and outrage the
hospitality OF our homes during busi-
ness hours. when men are at work earn
Ing bread for their families. lnterlopers
who resort 10 this -the-Srass
method Of winning the ear and SYM
D0tnN OF weak NuiiifU nave nv AAthN ~
complain II doors are slammed In their
nsolent faces. and fearless press eK-
poses their true character.
Just so. That might be all right II
there was any ground for the position
taken. We expressed our disbelief in
the insnuatlons Of the Press as to the
conduct Of our Elders there, so con
trary to the most explicit instructions
given to all our missionaries, And we
called for a bill OF particulars. Let
the Troy Press give us the names and
addresses Of persons who have had
cause for such complaints, with dates
and times when these calls are alleged
to have taken place. Then we Will
investigate. and II the wrongs alleged
have been committed we win Join the
Press in condemning them.
one of the duties OF the Elders, how
ever, is TO distribute tracts containing
an explanation Of the fundamental doc
trines OF our Church In doing this
they intrude upon no persons privacy.
They attempt to outrage no ones
hospitality. They do rot try to
force their way into any home or Inn
pose their presence or conversation
upon unwilling men or women. The
charge Is too vague for refutation. and
merely forms an excuse for the treat
ment which the Press has sought TO
bring down upon the Elders
The Press says federation has never
been trait OF Mormondom." The emf
nent ministers Of different religious
denominations. who have spoken In our
Tabernacles and meeting houses. and
the numerous other visitors TO this city
who have learned something about us,
would smile very broadly at the ignor'
ance OF the Troy Press, il they should
happen TO see the rash assertion. The
trouble with the Press Is that It knows
nothing OF the true history and real
principles OF "Mormonsm, but depends
upon old exploded stories and the RI
bald and abusive statements OF the enc
mics Of the La,ter-day Saints Ike
those contained in the book Il is pub
fishing in occasional instruments, and
tbs defamatory eftusion we have brief
~ noticed.
There is no system extant that is
more tolerant in spirit and in eaehing
and act, than that which Is called
"Aormonlsm" And In closlno wa will