Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-21
REED SHOOTS TESTIMONY.


The publication IN the News" Of the
full text OF the testimony Of Senator
Reed smoot before the committee Of in
vestlgatlon, has given an opportunity
10 tie public TO learn for themselves,
without having TO depend upon the
views or distortions Of others, what the
Senator really said In reply to the fu-
ellado OF questions fired az him during
his long examination Many Of the
criticisms passed upon him are very
unjust, and the false interpretations
placed upon his testimony by his enc
niles, are cleared away by careful
reading,
In the press dispatches which neces-
earily have to be but condensed sum-
marles OF the proceedings, many an
swers to queries are embodied in one
paragraph or sentence, Swing the APP
pearance Of voluntary connected
statement when they are presented in
detail, as replies to questions, they
show up IN a very different light. and
their true import as well as the neces-
slty for their utterance stands out
oomprehenslbly,
A very different impression is made
when the full report Is inspected from
that obtained by means Of the regular
or special dispatches. While the for
mer give but the glst Of the proceed
ings, many Of the latter are biased and
unreliable, being colored by the report
err TO suit the disposition Of the paper
20 which he sends them and sometimes
padded by that paper to vent It's own
prejudices and feed tie appetite Of peo-
pie for anti Mormon" sensations
The change IN sentiment produced by
the official account Of Senator Reed
Shoots testimony Is evident In the re-
marks Of public journals, and among
them are the following, which appear
ed In the Dayton, Ohio, News, Of Feb.
1O
ut must be admitted, reluctantly rs
those who oppose him will be to admit
81, that Senator Smoot has acquitted
himself admirably, In his testimony be-
fore the investigating committee in
Washington
Patriotism TO his country, fidelity to
his religion, love fer his family, and
conscientious loyalty to his God were
the elements OF manhood exhibited that
should make the Christian feel that all
Is not bad that centers IN the Mormon
Church. He is not polygamist He
opposes any infractlon or the laws Of
the country, though he believes in the
fundamental principles Of the Mormon
Church ana Is recognized as one OF It's
leaders-thls Is his privilege as a clti-
zen. His religious Views, as he ex-
pressed them, from moral standpoint
are OF the highest character, and as eve
~ man IL entitled To worship as he
pleasos and express his views on re-
lglon, II Is but persecution to attempt
20 reflect on his name ana deprive the
state Of It's representative because Of
his religion alone
He declared his belief In revelations
from God even In the present day
which caused some people 20 express
their horror at the idea OF divine IA,
Vors being bestowed on a sinful world
I'm the twentieth century, when, In their
opinion Gods communication with man
ceased centuries ago and man has since
been webbing along, content with the
traditions Of past ages, touching his re-
latona 20 the Almighty,
senator Smoot believing that God
Is the same yesterday today and for
ever. docs not agree with those who
offer excuses ana apologies for Gods
not communicating with his people
since the time of Christ and the Apos-
Ties, lie believing that divine revcla-
tion Is sim possible, has the faith that
the Mormon Church Is founded on the
revelation that led Joseph smith to the
golden plates I'm the I'M Cumorah ON
which plates were engraved the Book of
Mormon
He was asked what he would do II
one OF these revelations coudicted with
the laws OF the land and gave the
manly answer that ne would not dis
obey the laws of his country, but
would 20 elsewhere 10 obey the COM
mand OF God
"lt was hoped by some that he would
deny the teuots set forth Nm his re-
llgion, and thus bring down ON his
head the wrath Of the Mormon people.
but not So and iu thus showing his
loyalty he won the respect " every
fan -muded and conscientious person
who read his testimony
His answers were certainly dignlhed
and crcditahlc to IAN honest, COnsClcu-
tious upright man, who has respect for
his God and love Tor his country and
his home
His testimony throughout was Of q
character that showed "a much broad
err and moro liberal spirit than that
which chawcterl2cs thc prosecution
ana his Views of morality and faith h
God were certainly OF q character that
indicated man worthy Of the honors
hts state had bestowed upOu him