Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-05-12


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, Gen
tile WHO retired from the United States
senate March last. The other is Frank
j. Cannon, also former member of the
United States senate, a man who as a
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
church's 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, 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, commotion never before
equaled, For this purpose he has al
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 well as among men ant
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 an(
woe to Utah. Last fall he announced
that he believed the issues within thu
state of supreme Importance to the resi-
dents of Utah, and he Joined the newly
formed American party, which was or
gained to fight the Mormon church il
politics.
Not long after the presidential cleo
ton he began the fight on Smith. Fo,
some time an effort was made to ignor,
the attacks, but finally the president o
the church took cognizance of them b,
ordering the officials in Mr.. Cannon
ecclesiastical ward to bring proceed
ings to cut him off from the church
which were successful
While the Mormon church has Away
welcomed any attack made on its reli
gion as religion from the out
side, this is the first time i
its history that the attack has be,
from within, and the hierarchy i
frightened. Prosecutions from ~out
siders have only served to make mar
tyrs of the followers of the creed O
Brigham Young and helped to solidif
the people in a defensive attitude.
But now comes a war within tn
church, in which the members of tn
organization make accusations agains
those in authority, while the accuser
maintain their adherence to the faitt
Every move made by Smith and hi
followers thus far has only involve
them further, and those who are fight
ing them welcome with glee the increas
ing feeling against theyl among tn
Mormons.
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