The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-05-24
A GREAT LESSON.

II the hierarchy could read between
the lines, they would derive valuable
information from the public prints OF
the United States these days. Some of
the most prominent newspapers In the
country are making editorial comment
upon the reported recession of the Nor
mon church from business affairs. Nat
urally, the hierarchy feel to congratu-
late themselves upon having faxed the
Nation into an acceptance of the Idea
that the church Is to retire from COM
merciallsm, and. so far, a triumph for
hypocrisy rather than an increase OF
knowledge has been the result. But
there is a deeper lesson to be learned
The tone of the commentators indicates
clearly the public sentiment on this
great question. Every compliment paid
to the church for Its supposed retire.
mont. every statement made by a
reputable newspaper (however mistaken
it may be as to the facts) that the
Mormon church has settled one OF Its
vexing questions by withdrawing from
secular business, indicates that there
was a big issue and to those who are
acquainted with the inside facts, dem
onstrates that the big Issue remains.
We in Utah understand that the hie-
rarchy OF the Mormon church do not
field OF commerce. Some of their large
corporate monopolies were not flourish
Ing under ostensible church control and
these the hierarchy found 1t profitable
to dump. In realizing cash for certain
interests not sufficiently profitable In a
money way, the hierarchy also fancied
that they would gather a large dividend
in the restoration of public esteem.
They would obtain, under false pre-
tense, some sympathy from the coun-
try. They would still the voice of
clamor against the apostleSenator.
They would gain by the only means
known TO them. the mitigation OF public
judgment They would defraud the
Nation once more.
AS soon as the present threatening
hour shall have passed away. and even
secretly during this threatening hour.
the hierarchy VIII make extensive ad-
ditional investments In secret ways. It
is a pity that they VIII not learn the
lesson, and forego their unrighteous do
minion in the secular field. Their COM
munity had a mission; that mission
might be renewed, But II they Will
not heed the meaning which Is within
the public commendation of their sup
posed retirement, they must go on until
the State and Nation can enforce upon
them the act which they have pretend
edly performed.
For the Americans OF Utah and the
country there Is much that gratif,es In
the existing status:
The present hierarchy have pretended
to retire from polygamy. That Is a
concession that poiygamy ought to be
abandoned. Some time the pretense
must give way to the reality.
The hierarchy have pretended to re-
tire from political domination That is
a concession that the union Of church
and state is unacceptable to the people
of this country. Some time the pretense
will give way to the fact, and the hie-
rarchy will be really out of politics.
The hierarchy have pretended to
withdraw the church from business.
That Is a concession ito the sentiment
Of this country which Is adverse to the
engagement by a church In competitive
secular pursuits. Some time the actual