Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-05
IT WILL NOT WORK.


The attempt TO organize an anti
mormon party in Idaho, 30 pretty gem
orally recognized as a scheme In the in
terest OF a willy politician, who sees no
hone of success IN either of the par
ties ia which he has belonged, and so
n trying 60 find foothold on an
amalgamation from which he may
vault back into the seat which he feels
Is slipping from under him. The Po-
catello Advance OF recent date makes
some editorial comments which indi-
cate the feeling In that State, and we
notice that even the Boise Statesman
which not long ago entered into the
spirit OF the anti Mormon" movement,
seems TO have come TO its senses or at
least is not so vicious and vehement
on the question. The annexed para
graph is from the Advance
"when Senator Dubois speaks Of the
Mormon church being feared and hat
ed he should have said by those re-
llgious bigota whose faith is less than
skin deep for II they had the faith
of the mustard seed they would see
that there was 10 danger from Nor
monism Mormonism Is wrong and viii
not prevail. II it We're right, II should
prevail, so what Is the occasion eor
worryY
The logic of the Advance might be
considered conclusive II It's premise
were correct that "Mormonlsm Is
wrong" But that is an open question
for theologlans and sooiologists TO dis
ciiss, while the 'Mormons' declare that
they know it ls right In any case 1t
IS true that There Is no danger In
Mormonism," to anybody And we
are OF the opinion that IT Is too
late 10 the day to make It "a
political issue IN Idaho or elsewhere, as
It is purely a matter for social and re-
ligious investigation. AS TO the an
tiquated issue which some people are
endeavorlng to resusotate, the Lewis
ton qdaho) Tribune has this to say;
CAS- the national Democratic party
has inserted an antl-polygamy plank
In the platform, this issue In all proba-
bllity has been removed as a factor In
the faction fights OF the party IN Idaho
Those back OF the anti Mormon fight In
Idaho have repeatedly stated that they
were not Influenced by any personal
motives that the only object was 10 pur-
ify home life, and now that the national
Democracy has come 10 the rescue, the
local night has Of course ended This
A. one Interpretation of the situation,
but remember, Idaho politics have al
ways been full OF originality"
The national Democratic plank on
that defunct issue may have been nee
essary TO insert TO satisfy uniformed
people and act as a crumb Of comfort
for It's chief promoter. But here In the
West It Is looked upon like "a chip
in porridge," neither good nor harm,
and only elicts a smile from either
party The idea that it is In the inter-
est OF purity" ana the home may
be entertained In some eastern circles
but In the group OF states In the leigh
borhood of the Rocky Mountains 1t is
merely matter OF derision particu-
larly when the record OF It's orignators
IS open to view,
We notice that the idaho scheme is
seen through In other States, and press
comments show hcy It IS regarded
The Pueblo Chleftain expresses public
opinion concerning It IN Colorado. Re-
producing the Washington interview
with Governor Morrison on the situa'
ton IN Idaho, that paper says 1t gives
an explanation Of the activity OF the
Populist- Democratic SENATOR who Is
striving to act out political by-play'
by the organization Of an anu-"Mor'
mon" party in his own interest Without
endorsing all the ChIeftaln predicts
concerning the result, we are gratihed
10 know that the plot and the anlmus
behind It is generally perceived by the
wide-awake people and papers Of the
West.