Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-09
THAT "CHURCH INFLUENCE


The old and hackneyed topic OF
"Church influence in politics is once
more dragged forward, TO be used by
either party IN case Of failure as an
alleged cause Of defeat. We do not
think II viii figure very forclbly in the
Utah political campaign. for It's chief
agitators are somewhat ashamed of Its
vain repetition, and most people have
become pretty well Informed as to its
fallacy. But IN Idaho big effort Is be-
ing made to push It to the front as an
issue In the coming political struggle.
So far. the Republicans Of our neigh
boring state have been shrewd enough
20 avoid the snare, which has been set
for their feet by the WHY manipulation
who seeks to work IN his own interest
the mormon" elements Of both
parties. But a faction OF the Demo-
cratic party has been led into the tolls.
And that wing of the party is seeking
TO induce Republicans TO follow in its
wake by inviting them TO come for
ward in declarations against ''polyg
amy" and "Church interference" aim
ing OF course against the Mormon
citizens OF the state whom some of the
ants desire to dlsfranchise entirely.
Resolutions have been adopted by
certain Democrats in Ada county and
counter resolutions by the Democrats
of Fremont county. What will be done
MT the state convention will be Of inter-
est to people In Utah as well as Idaho
and it will be duly reported. But we
think some reflection on the part OF
anti" Mormon" fanatics would disclose
the fact that denunciations OF polyg-
nmy are no argument or obstacle
against the church Interference
which IL made to do duty once more in
political strife. The latter could be
used just as forcibly, e the former were
utterly abolished and eradIcated. But
when did rabid ti-"Mormons" ever
exhibit any logic or consistency
Everybody in Idaho who knows any
thing OF It's affairs Is aware that there
is scarcely relic Of the old poygamic
condition remaining, and that the effort
20 magnify It into menace is the
most transparent sort OF humbug. And
as to church influence there what does
st really amount to? Take all the full
limitations Of the platform and press
denouncers, and the cum OF II is, that
some men who are influential In the
Mormon Church are accused OF po-
lltcal activity In the state Surprising
the charge is true, what OF IT, Has
any man lost his rights of citizenship
Of free speech, OF choice OF party. OF
advocacy of what he believes to he
right because OF his position In re-
llgious society," We do not view the
matter In that light. one OF the roso-
lutions adopted in Ada county how
ever is this;
1--WE maintain further that no person
should be permitted 10 vote, serve as
Juror or hold any civil office who is a
member or contributes To the support
OF any organization that teaches or ad-
vises that 81, or any member or official
thereof. has a religious, revealed or d.
vine right, or any other superior right
whatsoever, to dictate or direct counsel
or advise for whom or for what any
person shall vote or To NEEDLE and in
terfere In political affairs, or which ex-
ercises or claims TO exercise any such
right"
Wen, what organization does 80 teach
or advise? The resolution was aimed
directly at the Mormon" Church, but
does not attack II in manly way.
When and how has the Mormon
Church claimed the superior right to
dictate or direct, counsel or advise for
whom or for what any person shall
vote?" Give us the text OF the declara-
ton or manifesto" or enunolation of
the claim. The Pocatelo Advance very
pointedly challenges the production Of
any such expression OF authority by the
Church, and says:
"In fact Il has strenuously denied
this right from the highest to the low
est official, and the authors Of the roso-
luton are challenged 10 show any creed,
articles OF faith, or other document Of
the Mormon or any other church hav-
ing members In the State of Idaho,
which makes any such claims The
Mormon Church also denies that il 'eN-
crclses or claims 90 exercise any such
right and II will be difficult for anyone
TO ind proof that Il does either ex-
orcise It or claim TO exercise IT,
After showing how the resolution
could he turned against those who
drafted and adopted it, the Advance
remarks further;
but II may be said that this meaning
Is not the one Intended by the resolu-
tons That win be granted, but Il
shows the difficulty IN drafting resolu,
uons which cover the exact meaning
where those who draft II do not come
nj Vrlt ia