Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-05-05

the position that all the world outside
Utah should mind its own business
and that the inhabitants of Utah must
be forced to do the hierarchy's bidding
or be crushed.
This position has aroused resentment
on the part of the Gentiles, and espe-
cially those who have large invested
capital and who feel that the develop
ment of the enormous material re-
sources of the state is being handi-
capped They are determined to fight
the matter out now, aided by the people
of the United States, with the intention
of settling the issue once and for ever.
Active Leaders in Fight.
The active leaders in the fight typify
the two elements which have Joined
hands. One is Thomas Kearns, Cen
tile who retired from the United States
senate March last. The other is Frank
J. Cannon, also a former member of the
United States senate, man who as
Mormon has always stood for independ-
ence of thought and of political and
commercial action on the part of the
members of the church.
Opposed to these elements are the
Mormons and Gentiles who are sharing
with President Smith the profits of the
churchs present commercialism and
activity in politics. The two present
members of the United States senate
from Utah are types. Reed Smoot, apos-
tie and one of the financial advisers of
Joseph F. Smith, was elected some time
ago as the latters political representa-
tive.
George Sutherland, a Gentle, owes
his present advancement and the
achievement of his ambition to his de-
sertion of the cause of the Gentiles, to
which he had made many protestations
of adherence, and to his promise of po-
litical obedience to Smoot and all the
interests that Smoot represents. Thus
is the issue defined in Utah.
The fighting for the last few months
has been made principally by Kearns
and Cannon. Kearns, who is possessed
of millions, has furnished the sinews of
war. Cannon has been the man on the
firing line.
By speech and writing this brilliant
son of one of the ablest of Mormon lead
ers has carried the war into Africa"
He has kept the church leaders lodging
and explaining, retreating and blunder-
ing, until he has stirred up within the
church a commotion never before
equaled. For this purpose he has an
exceptional equipment. Ever since
childhood he has been on the inside of
the workings of the church.
Cannon's Large Following.
Canno has built up a large following
among the younger and progressive
Mormons, as we'll as among men and
women outside his church. He opposed
the selection of Reed Smoot, on the
ground that it was wrong for the church
to interfere in politics-that it would
bring sorrow to the Mormon people and
woe to Utah. Last fall he announced
that he believed the issues within the
state OF supreme importance to the resi-
dents of Utah, and he joined the newly
formed American party, which was or
ganized to fight the Mormon church in
politics.
Not long after the presidential cleo
ton he began the fight on Smith. For
some time an effort was made to ignore
the attacks, but finally the president of
the church took cognizance of them by
ordering the officials in Mr.. Cannons
ecclesiastical ward to bring proceed
ings to cut him off from the church,
which were successful.
While the Mormon church has always
welcomed any attack made on its reli-
gion as a religion from the out
side, this is the first time in
its history that the attack has ben
from within, and the hierarchy is
frightened. Prosecutions from out
siders have only served to make mar
tyrs of the followers of the creed Of
Brigham Young and helped to solidify
the people in defensive attitude.
But now comes a war within the
church, in which the members of the
organization make accusations against
those in authority, while the accusers
maintain their adherence to the faith.
Every move made by Smith and his
followers thus far has only involved
them further, and those who are fight
ing them welcome with glee the increas-
ing feeling against them among the
Mormons.