Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-06
THAT SENATE DISCUSSION.

II any falr-minded observers Of cur
rent events entertain doubts as to the
necessity OF having representatives IN
the councils Of the nation, who not ON
" are without prejudice as regards the
so.called Mormon" question, but also
arc well versed In the history and
tenets Of the Church. the senators who
tool occasion TO discuss Church aifairs
in connection with the statehood bill
furnished proof OF that necessity. For
as long as legislative assemblies deem
an organization important enough TO
form the subject Of debate, simple JUS
tice demands that II be represented Ia
its true light, and not as seen through
the colored glasses OF prejudice.
II. for instance the question were
Of reylylng the old talk about Cathol-
lclsm being menace to the govern
ment, and the Catholic church being
"the beast Of the Apocalypse and
Legislators would deem It expedlent to
display their powers Of oratcry along
that Anticipated line, simple justice
would demand that against such ar
gument be placed the replies that the
Catholics themselves alone could fur
nish. Otherwise Injustice would be
done 10 great portion Of citizens.
Accusations would be made Without
refutations, and erroneous Impressions
would be sent abroad form the halls
where, II In any place on earth, truth
should be enihroned in all her maize
sty.
But the case is not different when
the mormon Church Is concerned.
The "Mormons,' too have a right to
be represented as they are, II their
enemies have right to caricatnre
them. II It Is deemed expedlent to
give voice in legislative halls TO the
views Of sectarian ministers, who are
personally interested In keeping the
country misnformed as to the Church,
It Is necessary that the truth should be
heard too.
The great point made against the
Church at this time seems 90 be that
no high ecclesiastical official can aspire
to a political Office without the consent
of his superiors The impression that Is
sought to be created on this ground Is
that mormon" In a political office IS
but the servant Of the Church, not OF
the people.
This is a cunnngly devised argument
intended to deceive those who do moi
think very profoundly. But Il Is new
ertheless sophistry, and nothing else
An official Of the Church has consented
10 give his time to the affairs Of tbs
Church. The First Presidency natural
ly depend on him for the service L
which he has been appointed. III
should not leave that service wlthon
notice to the authorities in charge. Does
not common courtesy demand that
gentleman who has promised to nh al
ecclesiastical Office, II he desires TO ac
in some other capacity shall notify hi
brethren of the fact, SO tina
they can say whether he' car
be spared from his eccleslastica
duties, temporarily or permanently
without detriment to the Church
Would not a corporation, firm, or al
association require an employe or agen
TO give notice Of an intention TO engag
in some other activity? And should
that be construed as detrimental to tn
candldate2
So flimsy are the objections to Nor
mons" as candidates for Congress. AM
yet when the sophisticated argument
are embellished with proper oratorica
ornaments and Haunted before the rae
OF the public that have but little pow
or OF discernment. they appear as solem
truth. Hence the necessity Of meetln
sophistry with reason, falsehood wit
truth, even in the legislative halls Q
the nation.