The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-05-12
A PROPER REBUKE.

Is 1t not a remarkable fact that no
one can refer even In the most general
terms. To the common amenities of life
and the unities OF the human race
without condemning the hostile attitude
OF the Mormon leaders toward their
fellow -citiZens OF the country at lergeT
Is II not significant OF the hostilty
against all mankind exhibited and fos-
tered by these same leaders, that hon
ored members of the communities
where they have come from here, arc
considered outsiders and are treated
with reserve, suspicion. and animosityE
Is Ii wonderful that this should be so
when the chief ruler of this people,
who have made 1t point TO be "a pecu-
liar people," different from their TEL
low citizens, holier than others; when
that ruler, we say, Will publicly reter
to oil not OF their own sect as our
enemies"
So marked is this exclusive claim 10
holiness, so ingrained this claim TO spe-
cial divine favor, so fanatical and Dig
oted this idea that there Is here peo-
pie set apart, divided from all others.
separate and to be kept separate,
among which marriage with the hated
outsider Is tabooed and social reia-
tions frowned upon, that not even the
common courtesies and civilities OF Of
ficial or cosmopolitan life can be per-
formed without condcmnlng those lead
crs and houting their claims to eN-
clusiveness and special right to rule
this region in their own way.
Even Governor Cutler in welcoming
Corporal Tanner. was obliged to be an
apostate from that rigid, hostile and
fanatical begotry. He expressed HIM
self as proud that Utah has large
contingent of the veterans of the great
Civil War; but the coming of regl-
ment of those veterans at the close OF
that war was considered by the leaders
TO be an act Of hostility; and almost
without exception the veterans who are
here now are looked upon by the church
as enemies OF our people"
Again, Governor Cutler gave point
ed rebuke, without meaning to do So
to this same spirit of enmity which the
church leaders foster among their ad-
herents against the citizens OF this
country not of their own following.
Speaking of the menace to the Nation
that is threatened by the division OF
the people into different classes. he
said;
In some places religious feeling Is the
cause OF dlsunion, but no matter now
fostered, tho sentiment OF the country
should be against such differences. Tor In
them there Is a deadly peril war be-
tween factions is as fatal as war between
sections. In our actions there should be
neither factions nor sections.
Now, who has chiefly fostered this
disunion here? Who have been the
ones TO cry aloud that this Is pecu-
liar people" to be kept separate and
apart from all others? Who have been
loud. earnest. and continuously insist
ent that 1t is contamination to associate
with the outsider" Who was 1T that
boasted less than two years ago that
he had never sold foot of his heritage
In Zion to the 'enemies' of this work
No more sincere condemnation Of a
proposition Is possible than that which
Is unconsciously delivered when the
proper sentiments of humanity are be-
Ing expressed. And In speaking that
condemnation, Governor Cutler did q
good service to the public, 1t is to be
hoped that his rebuke may reach the
place where 1t properly fits.