Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-03
PRIEST. SMITH SPEAKS OUT.

fNEOl, DMll III oTEAho w -
The frank and candid statement made
by President Joseph +, Smith before
the Senate committee as to his family
relations, VIII be published throughout
the land and viii probably be varlously
Interpreted. He was under no "compul-
sion" In the matter, but having nothing
70 hide, he unhesitatlngly announced
the fact that he had lived with his
wives and children In plural relations
Notwithstanding the law against such
cohabtauon, holding himself ready to
meet the consequences whatever they
might be.
His position Is we'll defined. He mar
rled his wives before the manifesto Of
President Woodruff was given to and
adopted by the Church. lie has not
married any since that time, Nor
docs he admit but avows to the con-
trary that the Church has since au-
thorized any plural marriages He re-
CARDS his covenants with his wives as
sacred and binding and he will not de-
sert them or cast them off II he Is
lawfully accused and prosecuted for
this he Is ready to meet the issue. lie
conceals nothing as TO his status or as
to his belief In the principle OF plural
marriage.
There Is nothing new in this to the
people OF Utah or 10. great many
well'informed persons residing In other
parts Of the country. The compact be-
tween the Nation and this State on en-
terlng the Union was, that "polygam-
Gus marriages should be forever prohb-
ited." They have been prohibited by
law. There was no condition exacted
as to the living OF men with the wives
previously married to them, The new
State enacted laws as to the relations OF
the sexes, and they may be executed
and enforced.
But It Is well known that public sen.
timent was widely in favor OF permit
ting existing plural relations to remain
without disturbance, so long as further
polygamous marriages were not con.
tracted, The laws Of Congress had de-
fined the difference between the two
conditions, and the definitions had been
adopted by the state, President Smiths
attitude Is wen understood. and there
has been no hitting OF the curtain" as
alleged The Doscret News has dilated
upon the situation repeatedly, and those
public journals that have understood
II and did not wish to confuse the pub.
lie mind have explained II In the same
light
AS to the revelation on plural
marriage, President Smiths position
Is plain and consistent. lie believes
IN It's divine authenticity. But
he conforms to the official manifesto
Of President Woodruff. He and every
other man has a right TO the free exer-
else Of hts religious belief No person,
court, government or earthly power
may rightly interfere with or attempt
TO punish him for his abstract faith,
His acts. however, are within the pur-
view OF the law,
H. ms ayowed by some persons, II
Is the Mormon Church ana not Reed
Smoot that is under investigation, while
the Senate may have no lawful author
ity Ia pursue such an inquiry, we hope
It viii be 80 thorough and fair that
It viii be real exposition. We have
been trying to expose "Mormonsm"
for more than half a century, The
national inqulslton will do more to aid
that work than anything that has hap
pened during that period. Whatever
the result may be as to individuals and
their rights as citizens and legislators,
the truth wll be held NJ for public at
tention and viii emerge out Of the
clouds that may be cast around II,
bright e1ulgent ana potent for the
glory OF God and the accomplishment OF
His great latter-day work