Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-31
THE SPECIAL SLANDERERS,


once more we warn the press of the
country not to repose confidence IN the
special dispatches and sensational cor.
respondence, sent from this city about
the "Mormons' and Utah affairs gener
ally. They are usually so false as L
be ridiculous in the eyes Of well.in.
formed residents who marvel at tbs
publication Of such transparent absur-
dltles In respectable newspapers. II
seems that the miserable wretches who
concoct these stories for what they will
fetch in the way Of pelf, are not confn-
ing their receptions to this hemisphere,
but are trying their bait on European
waters, We find, for example. the fol-
lowing dispatch In the Birmingham,
England, Gazette and Express;
Salt Lake city, Tuesday, March TO-
Amos Pm. Fielding Smith, the President
OF the Church of Jesus Christ Of Lat
ter-day Saints, to use the official name
OF the Mormon sect, on his return 20
Salt Lake City from the Washington
inquiry yesterday held family reunion
first of oil az his official residence.
His five wives and thirty-two children
gave him hearty welcome Hand
shaking and kisses occupied two hours,
The families then returned 10 their sew
eral residences, where Smith visited
each In turn.
After that he attended meeting Of
the Church leaders to consider ways
and means Of smotherlng the new
Antl-Mormon Society as a political par
ty."
OF course that is not original" to
the paper named as 1t appeared in
American journals also and in some of
them was yllely emphasized. But 1t is
untrue In nearly every particular, No
such gatherings as stated took place,
either Of the family or Of the Church
authorities. It originated In the warp
ed and vicious mind Of the Special"
manufacturer, who does not seem able
to get even the names OF President
Smiths wives and children correctly, as
evidenced in other similar communica-
tions. But 1t looks as though many OF
the yellow" journals OF the day care
nothing for truth or consistency. but
only for sensations
Another canard that is being serious
~ commented upon by newspapers at
a distance Is dispatch sent from this
city, TO the effect that an organization
OF young "Mormons' is In process, In
hostility to the purported practices OF
the older members Of the Church and
this Is to make a great split and wreck
the entire body which, OF course, would
be exceedingly gratifying to people who
are either mislnformed or are filed with
malice against the "Mormons."
The papers that publish and write
upon that dispatch are being fooled by
the sender. No such organization ex-
lists or IL in contemplation. The Young
Mems Mutual Improvement Association
is Mormon society that has just
suspended It's winter sessions, but per-
petuates its organized existence, and
was never In better condition, or of
stronger faith, or under more favorable
auspices than II is at the present time
The principles Of our religion are en-.
grated upon the hearts and consciences
Of liz members and are part Of their
very existence, The young MOrmons"
who take interest in religious affairs
have no fight against the Church, but
feel the utmost contempt for the crea-
lures who misrepresent them and re-
vile the men whom they revere and re-
spect as the servants Of the Most High.
If the press al home or abroad mere
~ wish to feed the public NAV with
such stuff as ia sent out from this city,
no matter how false and foolish II may
be, they will continue to pay for the
nonsense and rottenness with which
they are thus supplied If they want
facts and real news. they will have to
seek for II from other sources than the
scrbes who seem to gloat over scandal
and who take delight In deceylng the
papers aud the public.