Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-11-12
(" MoRMoNIsM" NO MENACE.

The subjolned is from the La Grande
Daily Chronicle Of Nov. 2. Il is true
and well deserved testimony to the
worth OF Mormon" settlers, and shows
that there is no reason for apprehension
of any dangerous consequences as "A re-
suit Of so-called Mormon" influence
Only Ignorance, and prejudlces--the OFF,
spring OF lgnorance--entertain such APP
prehensions.
The La Grande Chronicle was asked
by a homeseeker whether the Nor
mons" rule La Grande county, politi-
cally or otherwise The Chronicle man,
astonished at the query, asked tor fur
Their explanation. lie was then told
that:
1--WE have been Informed that the
Mormons comprise a large majority of
the voters of Grande Ronde valley and
that they elect the officers OF the coun-
ty, control the politics OF the county,
and that polygamy Is carried on In the
county In open violation OF the law
1--WE have also learned that they are
building a second tabernacle at La
Grande, and that this county Will soon
be turned into second Utah Of the
old time kind"
The paper continues!
THE Chronicle was dumbfounded, 1t
had never heard such charges before
1t did not suspect that any one should
circulate such reports. hhe Chronicle
has been published In La Grande for
nearly quarter OF century, has
watched the interests Of Union county
with jealous eye, and has never seen
anything ominous in the influx into this
county Of large number OF citizens
who believe In the Mormon religion.
1T Informed the noineseekers that
there were n large number Of Mormons
In the county; that they were intelli-
gent, hard working and law abiding
people who looked after their own
interests and seemed to stay out Of pol
itics. They vote, OF course, but are
not clanlsh They have as many differ
ent opinions as other people about who
ought TO be elected ana Mormonism
has never been raised IN the elections OF
Union county
"The people are hard working
class; they pay their debts, believe In
living within the law, and are seldom
found In the courts, The Chronicle
knows no sect In It's ideas of religion
above the other; but as matter OF
Justice to the Mormon people, as they
are called would speak OF them I'm the
highest terms, so far as they have con-
Quoted themselves In this county All
OF these things the Chronicle explain
ed to the home seekers.
1T may be announced once and for
all shat there is no reason to appre-
bend any danger from the Mormons In
Union county They are not people
TO cause trouble. Law-ablGlng and
Woodworking people never cause trou-
BILE. Those who woulc like to settle in
Union county are welcome and they
VIII find In their association with the
people, that they VIII never know Nor
mon from Gentle, or any other rclg-
ious sect from another, while transact
ing business or attending the election
polls"
That testimony all falrmlnded people,
who know the Mormons, give them
Even their enemies admit the truth Of
II In their own hearts, though with
their lips they speak in another vein
We are reliably informed mat many Of
the inhabitants Of the places whence
the "Mormons" once were driven. are
now longing for return Of the exlles
II that were practicable, They know
OF the good influence that always goes
with the "Mormons," wherever they
settle.