Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-10-21

"CHURoH INFLUENCE" ISSUE

The Boise Capital News has pub
llshed some liberal ana pertinent arti-
cles on the subject headed as above, and
on Monday evening had lengthy but
meaty editorial on the same topic,
IN answer TO a renewed attack by the
Idaho Statesman, IN which a lot Of
old issues were revived and attempts
were made TO associate the Mormon
Church with certain political move
ments in Idaho. The Capital News
made a vigorous and sensible reply
and closed with an expression OF senti-
ments which we herewith append. We
do NOT care to discuss the matters in
dispute between a number of Idaho
papers and the Statesman, which are
only OF local importance. The follow
ing remarks, however, we commend to
the consideration Of thoughtful people
everywhere.
1.-THE Mormons as people have as
much right TO their nsiief as have any
other denomination, so long as they
obey the law and are good citizens. II,
as their opponents assert, there are
polygamists among them, why NOT pro-
coed against the individuals, and not
condemn every member of the Church,
regardless Of guilt or innocence? There
Is law against bigamy and there are
officers who are sworn to the enforce
ment OF that law. IT Is not a matter
for political parties TO deal with and
there is no call for Observation-Disclosures
or the re-establlshment OF the test
oath. Regarding the fight against the
seating OF Senator Smoot, the Demo-
cratic Rocky Mountain News Of Dem
Yer, makes the following extremely
sensible argument:
Persecution is the best means In
the world to Increase the cause at
tackled. All apparent persecution should
be avoided with scrupulous care ms
nothing viii so strengthen the weak
ening bonds of theocratic government
AS any suspicion OF martyrdom The
Roberts matter necessary as II was
and beneficial In the end. was at the
time a fruitful source OF revival for
Mormon loyalty TO attempt 10 make
fight against the seating OF Smoot
would be unwarranted and useless and
greatly aid the very forces Il seeks to
attack. All danger may best be guard
ed against by the spread OF general en-
lightenment the natural commercial
environment and mitigation OF the
keen antagonism felt by the older Gem
tiles. Cordial relations between the
opposing elements In Utah should he
encouraged since tho young Mormon
can In this way best be impregnated
with that nameless uplrit OF the times
which Is the chief hope everywhere for
the forces of progress"
our antl-"Mormon" fellow citizens
should not forget the fact, that mem
bers of the Church Of Jesus Christ OF
1atter-day Saints are entitled to Just rs
many rights and privileges as are the
ndherents of any OF the different relg-
ious bodies in this country, also that
their votes count just as well at the
polls rs do the votes OF persons who
are opposed to them IN religious views.
The highest ecclesiastical IN the Nor.
mon Church has the same right TO his
own opinions respecting parties and
policies and candidates for office. as the
newest convert to the faith, and an tho
most violent opponent OF that faith. He
also has an inaIenable right to the
expression of those views no matter
who, or how many other persons dissent
from them.
The use Of improper Influence. at
tempts at coercion. whether by physical
force or phiestly domination, are an
entirely different matter ana are to be
resisted by every freeman. They may
and should be denounced as destructive
of individual liberty. They should not
be COMPOUNDED with those constitutional
rights and privileges that belong alike
TO all citizens Of this Republic. They
are hostile 10 the spirit and practice Of
the Mormon" creed
This insane shouting OF religious in.
nuence In politics." whenever It Is al
legged or imagined that some prominent
Mormon" Church official has expressed
his opinion ON political subject, or his
choice Of candidate for office, is the
most absurd and silly Of anti-"Mor.
mon eSpedients. But the cry has been
raised SO often and SO loudly, that It has
had the effect Of arousing many un-
thinking persons to view II as a danger
to the public, and to deter some lnnueu-
tial and respected men from taking any
part in political affairs.
We deprecate this and believe II to be