Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-19
DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW HIN


Freeze who represents that he Is
from Utah aud l. posing as "a former
Mormon" who wants Senator Smoot
ousted" He has been delivering
speeches IN some of the churches in
that state, and a report OF one of them
is published in the Washington OBJ
server. II contains nothing but what
might be easily culled from anti Nor
mon napers, and IN our opinion was
thus prepared in order that the lectur-
err might appear before Eastern audi
cnces IN the role which he sustained
before an audience at the First PIesby-
terIan church in Washington Pa.
We cannot give any information con-
terning "Mr. Preeco." II that Is his
real name We can learn nothing
about him, either as Mormon or
otherwise. Certainly he has not been
person Of any prominence IN Utah,
but Is doubtless endeavoring to impose
upon religious people at a distance, on
the pretense that he Is able TO expose
from personal experience, Mormon
ism" II anybody here has been ac-
quainted with him and can furnish the
desired information, We VIII be pleased
10 receive IT and forward II TO our
correspondents in Pennsylvania,
We win briefly notice some Of the
points which he presented and which
have very familiar appearance, hav-
Ing been thrust forward from anti
Mormon sources repeatedly. The OBJ
server says; IN his speech he spoke
Of the fact that Mormonism and Chris
fIanity could not exist In the same
place" We have heard that bit Of nom
sence for n great many years. But
"MormonIsm' and so-oalled christian
ity' have existed aide by side In Utah
:. nearly ever since the early settlement
Of this region. The "Mormons" do not
interfere with any of the scots profess
ing to be Christian, and the Interior
ence Of the latter with the former does
not prevent any of them. moving side
by side In the same vicinity. II used 10
be said that Catholicism and Protest.
. antism could not exist in the same
place" but history has demonstrated
10 the contrary. as Il has In regard TO
Mormonism" and Christianity.
The Observer further reports that.
His final statement was that II
something was not done to stamp out
the Mormon religion, that It would
eventually overthrow Christianity and
The United States government" That
Is another plagiarized fallacy. II has
served its purpose for some time In
stirring up excitable women In dit
ferent parts Of the country TO induce
mem 70 sign the petitions that have
been sent TO Congress. II there ia
anything in 1t worth noticing. Il is n
sad reflection upon the power OF mod
ern christianity and Of the govern
ment of this great country. Why should
Mormonisn' be considered so no.
tent that 1t cannot be conquered nv
reason and argument and contrast with
The various sects OF the times? And
whnt is there IN any religious systep,
which comes into such collision with
me government of the United States os
TO cause its eventual overthrow ." n
y not worth while to waste space an
such ridiculous declarations.
another part Of the harangue Of thls
unknown former Mormon" was. so I'M,
observer says, HE told OF their hor-
iible policy Of murder and robbery dur
ing Brlgham's government of tho
church; how the miners and prospec.
tors were fouly murdered ana robhod
for the sake Of their outfits. and this
was done as the win Of God" That Is
another piece OF Mormon" ro-
nance without shadow of truth
which the speaker no douht
filched from one Of the terrible tale,
that a long time ago adorned m,
pages of sensational books and news.
papers that are now almost forgotten.
Bur Mr.. preece ala not altogether
confine himself to those ancient ano
mouldy stories He brought his audi.
ence down 70 more recent times. IN or
der 70 deliver his feeble blow against
Senator Reed Sn0ot. Speaking Of the
testimony Of President Joseph f.
Smith at Washington, the lecturer said:
When asked II he was not a prophet
Of God and u he dld no, have visions.
Smith said no. and then when he went
back to Utah he said ne had lied be-
cause God told him to- This false.
hood might make some Impression IN.
on the kind of congregation that lis
tened TO the speaker but IL was as
gross a misrepresentation OF tho truth
as the rest of his discourse
Finally he managed tn come down 10
the real object OF MS patched up
speech, and assailsd Senator Smoot
for having taken certain "oaths In.
compatible with the c.Jizenship oath"
and added, also Reed Smoot Is the
man who stands ia the Temple ana ad.
ministers the oath 90 foreigners ana
Immigrants who are entering the Nor.
mon church ana 40 the same time be-
coming citizens ot tho United states"
There is q tingc Of novelty for the first
time IN tho uttcrances OF this pretended
Former Mormon and IL betrays the
fact that he knows nothing about the
matter which DE- attempted 10 explain.
for It has never been alleged that Sen.
ator Smoot ever administered oaths OF
any kind to anybody and the idea that
these Temple ceremonies were admin