Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-04-10
"M0RM0NISM ON TRIAL.

to "MormonIsm" ana the case OF Sena-
tor Reed smoot. EdItorially II takes
The ground that while the senator's
right to his seat is directly involved
In the investigation before the commit
tee on privileges and elections II mas
been In reality trial OF Mormonlsm'
That paper admits that the Senator
himself ls free from reproach. so far
az his NE and conduct are concerned,
but thinks that the Mormon propa-
sanda as a form Of religion ls being
tried" and that its fate depends upon
the findings OF the Senate committee.
While Il may be true that the orig
inal purpose In referring the senator's
case to that committee has been divert
ed and that his claims to seat In the
Senate have been sIdetracked while the
entire train OF inquiry into Mormon
ism has occupied the road. the Jour
nal n mistaken as TO the effects that
may result from adverse action by the
committee "Morm0nlsm' as "a form
os religion" viii not become extinct
OF It's propaganda be suppressed, by
anything that may or can be done by
the committee or by the Senate.
TIC presence or absence IN The Unit
ei states senate OF believer In Nor
monsm" viii have nothing TO do with
The principles Of that system, nor with
It's propaganda In the world. The real
question at issue il one of constitutions
Il, rights and senatorial regulations, and
not Of the faith, doctrine, discipline or
ceremonies Of the Church OF which Sem
ator smoot Is a member. They are be-
You'd the purvIew Of any legislative
boly, unless they are proven to be ar
rayeG IN actual conflict with the gov
eminent, and then the acts of indivld-
ua,s would have to he proven and pro-
oeedcd against on the lines OF law and
evidence.
The Journal IN order to show that
''seditious hymns" are taught TO the
Mormon" chillren quotes from the
Latter-day Saints hymn book, mot the
children's book however,, song COM
mencing. up Awake We Defenders of
Zion" That was composed as long
ago as 1857 when the army was sent
TO Utah because Of false reports made
by government officials. whose infamy
was subsequently, proven. The song
was made IN England when the Elders
were called home Ia defend their FAINT
lies against the troops who, while on
the way here. boosted of what they In
tended 90 do with Mormon women
and Mormon" homes. The writer
had then never been 90 this country.
and he voiced the feelings of the
Latter-day Saints IN Great Britain at
that time. or course that does not
appear IN the investigation, nor IN the
columns of the Kansas City Journal.
In subsequent issue of that paper.
a friend contributed some Informal
ton Of interest associated with this
subject, and quotes from another
hymn by the same author also in the
hymn book, commencing, school Thy
Feelings O Ny Brother" and makes
the following remarks which appear in
that paper Of April @ The writer OF
the letter IS not Mormon and we
commend his testimony to general
public attention.
From brief knowledge Of the new
religion, which ! have gained from
meeting with It's representatives here,
Il IS no more militant nor 'seditioua,
than any OF the other sects NJ chris
tianity. II seems TO me to be growing
more non-resistant daily. u Is a
Fighter Of evil Inv every form; lts peo-
pie are good people, industrious, self
sacrificing obliglng, loyal and patri-
otic. 4 King viii never sit over this
people. They love liberty and respect
freedom of thought aud speech I'm
others,
"Thc persecution they have borne
IN the past even in this state. Is not
remembe ed against this people, nor
the government. But Il Is remember
cd against the evil emiSsaries. blind to
reason, who slaughtered innocent wo-
men and children. pluudered ana APP
piled thu torch TO many pioneer homes
and drove n God-fearing people to the
desOlate hills of Utah for shelter II
was the false interpreters Of the true
Christ who did this wrong, not know
ing. and ii Is against these the Nor
mon people stand. declaring them the
foe
THE false has ever prosecuted III,
true until a higher doctrine Of nom
resistance finds It's way To the hearts
Of men.
The Mormon religion Il Is rue, IL on
trial; but 1t does not depend upot
the findings OF the senate for It's con
tinuance or extinction. II does no
rest It's faith in arms nor armies. II Z
building a nobler life among the pcu
pie. Its Elders are abroad In all thes,
states, travelling without purse %
scrip, without pay or hope Of reward
Circumspcction OF behavior and hon
esty Of heart arc making for then
friends firm and fast. They are re
deeming the false In Christianity. an,
making the world better.
"Thcy invite the honest I'm heart 4
hear them. They offer no reward,
They accept NO promises. their con
verts remain for life. They do no
seek praise nor applause; they kno,
the way and live II according to thei
highest light
"All my life I was led To believe tn
Mormon people were a crafty, design
ing lot. who were after the earth am
its fulness, and We're a strange rae
of beings, 10 be regarded with super
stitious dread After a few visits {
the headquarters of the Central state
Mission. 1905 Locust street. my min
was soon dispossessed OF these unrea
sonable doubts, as anyone's win be wh
Will look about with an honest purpos
themselves JOHN 4. LIANT"
Kansas City, Mo, March a.