Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-11-10
FALSE PRETENsEs CONSIDERED.

That even the most excellent senti-
ments can be employed for the further
ance of evil designs, is well illustrated
by assertions repeatedly made by some
anti "Mormons" that they have never
asked anything OF the "Mormons" ex-
cept that they obey the law, That
sounds well. II has ring Of righteous
ness II Is one OF the fallacies that are
calculated 90 deceive even the elect. II
that were possible. The assertion is,
none the less, false. 1t illustrates the
fact that II is quite possible TO speak
with the tongue OF an angel and yet
make only the noise of sounding brass
and tlnkling cymbals."
III order to appreciate the real value
OF that kind OF argument it's authors
must be considered. We do not en-.
gage In personalities. and therefore
forebear any reference TO personal OF
private affairs In which the public can
have no possible interest. But II Is no
infringement Of the rules of decent
journallsmto say that many who ciamor
so loudly and persistently, ostenslbly
for the law, are worse law-breakers
than any against whom their olamor is
directed. We would remind them OF
well known scene depicted IN one OF
the Gospels. Around the Savior Of man
Kind on certain occasion were gath
cred a number OF Scribes and Phari-
sees, who demanded judgment against
n frail human being. The blographer
OF our Lord tells OF His decision that
the one who was without sin might east
the first stone, and adds that the accus-
ers left the scene. one by one, pierced
In their hardened consclences. We dis
claim any intention OF drawing para
lels or making comparisons between
then and now, but the little story, so
full OF instruction TO all ages, conveys
lesson that is pertinent just now. 1t
is this. that unless a man can
stand the moral test in his own charac-
ter, his place is not among the Judges
OF his fellow men. by this test, where
would many Of the traducers Of the
Lstter-day saints--those who alege
their only demand Is In behalf Of the
law, be, themselves? Is not every word
OF accusation an aggravation u their
own guilt?
Another fact that must be considered
is this, thar their so-callod zeal for the
law must be condemned as unreal. IL
is a mere pretense put forth TO de-
ceive. II is not obedience TO the law
they want. II we look around In this
city VIC see places In which liquor is
dispensed In open violation OF law.
Gambling dens flourish, IN spite Of law.
Vice stalks the streets and Is Haunted
from the housetops almost In the very
centers OF business districts. The Sab
bath is openly and shamelessly violat-
ed. Who is responsible? The fact Is
that there never was more hollow
mockery than this ostentatlon for law.
Several years ago an investigation dis
closed the fact that OF IS inmates In
the State prison sixteen were Nor
mons" and seventy-nlne non."Mor-
mons This is a true indication
of the difference in the moral status Of
the Latter-day Saints and great
many OF their calumnlators. The latter
do not, exert themselves in the interests
OF morality and law generally. They
condone every kind OF law breaking ex-
cept what they hope TO fasten upon
Latter-day Saints In order 20 make
them appear hldeous IA public view,
They hide their black designs behind a
white mask.
They have proved themselves ospec-
tally vindictive against some OF the
Latter-day Saints who have refused to
repudiate wives they married years
ago when they were flilly convinced
that by entering into thai relation they
did not violate any laws OF the land.
They attack these because they are
aware that by so doing they can easl-
~ arouse storm OF prejudice and pas
sion among the masses OF the people