The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-03-25
CASE AND PROOF.

The Christian Herald, published In
| New York, finds 1T necessary to once
more dissipate the fog with which the
Smootites are seeking to enshroud his
| case in the Senate and before the peo-
| pie of the United States.
1t takes issue with those Senators
whose mental vision is so affected that
they detect. in the protests of the
women of this country against Apostle
Smoot, an attack upon religion. 1t
points out the large fact that the pe-
titions which have been signed by the
wives and mothers of the land make
no assault upon any theology, upon any
religious faith, or upon any mans
rights. In the following epigrammatic
sentences the Christian Herald sets the
case before its millions of readers:
The women arralgn him as the sworn
servant OF an organization whose pur-
pose Is TO establish a kingdom within this
Republic, and which Is iniiexbly antng-
onistic to our Government and the spirit
OF our laws and institutions 1t is an or
SANITATION which has confessed violated
Its solemn pledge to abolish polygamy
and which, under the guise of religion. is
dominating the political. social and com
mercial well-being of a number of States
10 an extent that has forced their people
10 demand redress.
There is nothing whatever in this hav-
ing any reference to Mr.. Smoot's religion
He may be Mormon, Parsee. Pagan or
what not he IS entitled to his belief
But when an organization, religious or
SECULAR, steps out OF Its legitimate sphere
TO antngoniZe the best interests of mil
lions OF loyal Americans, as the Mormon
apostolate has done and is now doing, It
must be dealt with like any other body of
lawbreakers.
There Is little danger that the cuttle-hsh
attempt TO befog the Senate by Injecting
the religious Issue" Will receive any se-
rious attention, The ruse Is too palpable
The real issue is one which the Utah Sen
ators allies cannot sldetrack, however
much they would like TO do so
The presentation of the Christian
Herald Is correct in every particular
and proof Of the fact is obtainabe from
authenticated Mormon sources.
The Key to Theology. a standard
Mormon work. says:
The priesthood holds the power and
right 10 give laws and commands to indi-
viduals, churches, rulers and nations OF
the world; to appoint ordain. and estab-
lish constitutions and kingdoms: to ap-
point kings presidents. governors. and
judges.
Interpreting this, Apostle Matthias F.
Cowley taught In the Logan Taber-
nacle on the 11th day of October. 1898,
as follows:
The priesthood was placed on the earth
for the guidance OF tho Saints in all
things whether religious or political and
he deemed it justhable for the elders To
counsel the people In political matters
And in more effective and authorI-
tativc way, If possible. Joseph F..
Smith, president of the church, reiter
ated that sentiment in the Provo Tab
ernacle on the 18th day of April. 1896,
when he said:
The fact of the matter is. when a man
says you may direct me spiritually but
not temporarily, he lies In the presence of
God-that is. II he has got intelligence
enough to know what he is talking about
Is Reed Smoot bound by these utter
ances? He dare not stand In any tab
ernacle In Utah and dispute the state
ments. or the logical conclusion 10 be
drawn therefrom. AS an apostle he
is chained to the doctrine which his
file leaders proclaim. for, according to
his professions Of faith. his flc leaders
are the living orecles OF Almighty God.