Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-20
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY INVADED.

The Winchester Virginia, Evening
star of recent dates, gives accounts OF
the endeavors of two Mormon Elders
to introduce the Gospel in that city
As Ia customary with the Elders in
the Southern States. they called on the
Mayor. william C. Graichen, to ascer.
tain what the law was IN regard TO
street preaching. His honor did not
quote any law or ordinance in refer
once to the matter. but told the Elders
they could not preach their doctrines
within the corporate limits. lie claimed
to have given the subject considerable
thought. and said he had learned that
the appelatlon Of "Latter-day Saints
was but mask to shield the unpopular
name OF "Mormons He also asserted
that the fundamental basis Of their
religion was polygamy lie declared he
would not tolerate their proselyting AZ
all, for II that was permitted he
would have TO extend the protection OF
the law In case the people took the
matter in their own hands and offered
violence to the Elders He also declined
TO permit their calling upon people at
their homes and delivering tracts, and
said the police had been ordered 10
arrest any person found so doing, who
would be punished to the full extent
OF the law"
The Star endorsed the action of the
Mayor, but In subsequent issue pub
lished a letter from the two Elders
namely Walter Wright and John Ey-
ans, In which they showed the mistakes
Of the Mayor in reference 10 MORRISON
ISM and announced their right as cit
liens OF this great nation to freedom
of speech and religious liberty, which
they claimed included the preaching
OF the Gospel OF Jesus Christ as reveal
I'd from heaven In this age Of the world.
and which Is commonly known as
"Mormonlsm." They also defended
themselves against the charge Of de-
ception in calling themselves Latter
day Saints, and showed that this Is the
proper and authorized title while ~
term "Mormons' is but nickname APP
piled by their enemies.
II appears that Notwithstanding the
inhibition OF the Mayor the Elders
held religious services al the home Of
getleman named Beverley Lockhart
Jr., and boldly announced their inten-
ton to exercise their rights as citizens.
even n they had to suffer lmprlson-
ment for doing so. They challenged
the Mayor, newspaper and anyone else
TO quote the law which forblds their as
sembling for religious worship and
preaching, but expressed their lnten.
ton TO practice the Twelfth Article OF
the Latter-day Saints faith. which is:
We believe IN being subject to kings,
presidents, rulers and magistrates. In
obeylng, honoring and sustaining the
law"
They also refute the Mayors asser-
ton that "polygamy is the basis Of
Mormonism." refer TO the position now
taken by the Church concerning Il. and
cite the law Of the State forbidding Il
and Imposing severe penalties upon all
offenders. They add their testimony
10 the restoration Of the Gospel by d.
line revocation and angelic administra-
uon, after the long period Of apostacy
and spiritual darkness that had inter-
,ened since the time OF the early apos-
Ties.
The Mayor Of Winchester evidently
cxceel.d his authority. Yhere may be
some fpollte regulations which forbid
preaching on the public streets. n
10. he VIZ right in declining to grant
he Elders permission to hold street