The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-05-01
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY" :"

A correspondent asks The Tribune to
notice the following sentiment, which
was published as a part OF a Deseret
News editorial OH the date Of May 13
1867:
So far as the people OF Utah is con-
cerned It matters not TO them whether
the proposed law for tho regulation OF
their social relations is made or not; bo-
Ing decidedly moro In favor OF popular
tons they will pursue the even tenor
OF their ways as heretofore. let what will
come, and practice what they preach
without fear OF molestation But should
there be any infringement ever attempted
10 be made on their constitutional rights,
they know what those rights are, and
dare maintain them.
II is suggested that the Deseret News
and the hierarchy whom 1t represents
are still far more in favor OF "soyer-
eighty" than institutions" They like
the Smith sovereignty and they have
no sympathy with the institutions OF
civilization.
That is true. The present dominating
element in the Mormon church has re-
Cured to all the bigotry, dlsloyalty,
falsehood and defiance OF the past.
Whatever movement was making in the
Mormon church toward higher things.
the present despot has discountenanced.
Whatever he could find in the existing
situation or in the traditions OF the past
which made for q wider breach be-
tween his community and the Nation
he has sedulously cultivated. 1t makes
no difference what the language en-
ployed. the idea OF the present chief
prophet Is precisely the idea expressed
by the News nearly forty years since.
Joseph F. Smith knows his rights, and
dare maintain them" Mis- rights are
other mems wrongs, His rights are the
wrongs OF the State and the wrongs OF
the Nation, His rights are the over
throw of the civic institutions to which
he has pledged his sacred honor His
rights are to take from the Nation the
gift Of citizenship In a sovereign State
and then absorb that Sovereignty into
his priestly keeping His rights are to
have at the National capital three rep
resentatives who pay their entire ale
glance to him, who come or go at his
pleasure. who dare not offend him. who
minister TO his greatness. who are but
his emissaries at a foreign court and
whose terms of service in the House of
Representatives and the Senate will
end when he shall SO determine He
dares TO maintain these rights because
he pretends to speak In the name OF
God, and 100000 out OF his 100000 ad-
herents are afraid that they are COM
mitting an objectionable sin II they
question his act or word, no matter
how depraved that act or word may be-
And the present editor of the Deseret
News knows his rights, and he also
dare maintain them. His rights are to
pledge his sacred" word TO the Presl-
dent OF the United States, obtain am
nesty thereupon, and Immediately vio-
late the conditions of the amnesty
while enjoying It's favor His rights
are TO preach sin and call Il virtue His
rights are to deride all Christian sects
as apostates and usurpers, and to claim
an especial knowledge and authority
under which he has an especial prIvI-
lege to do the things OF darkness and
to claim that they are the acts OF ra-
diant light.
And Apostle Reed Smoot. senior SEN
ator from the State OF Utah. knows his
rights and he dare maintain them.
His rights are to convenant, in secret
conclaye, to be in harmony with the
will Of polygamous king, and to stand
out In the Senate of the United States
and proclaim himself loyal citizen OF