Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-07-02
WHY NOT BE FAIR

Some ~ the Idaho country papers
ore displaying eumity toward the poo
pie 10 the southeastern counties Of that
State. because they are members Of the
Mormon" Church and their nhu-
ence IN political affairs Is feared. There
IS no sufficient reason for this but rea-
son does not cut much Of figure On
anti Mormon prejudice. There is
disposition too. TO distort and mis-
construe anything that is published IN
papers that do not follow in the wake
Of those delractors that imagine they
are helping the party they train win.
hy traducing the Mormon citizens OF
Idaho.
For example there IL the Payette
Independent taking up a remark
made by the Paris Post. as 20 the prob
able effect Of the revival Of the shame
ful test oath that has been wiped OF
the statutes OF that state. The Post
showed that the intention u the plot
tiers for the re-euactment Of that test
T. to dlsfranchiso every Mormon
citizen The Payette paper cou0rues
that 10 mean that an "Mormons'
would be unable to Join with good
American citizens IN giving their
first and highest allegiance 10 the
country which gives them projection
and the right Of suffrage It then pro-
ceeds TO state what the oath signifies
but does not squarely show what II Is.
That may be- Plyette Independent kind
Of journalism but It j. not just or de-
cent.
As the Deseret News explained rec
Gently IN reference to the same test
oath. which Senator Dubois tried 90 IN
corporate IN the bill for the admis-
sion Of Arizona and New Mexico as
States in the Union It was not designed
for any such purpose as that ntimated
by the Independent but TO exclude
from the franchise every person who |
believes in celestial marriage This |
means marriage for time and eternity. |
The "Mormons' believe I'm that Kind |
Of matrimony The Trainer OF the un-
American test oath knew that. aud so |
worded It that it would debar every /
mormon" from voting that is every |
one who believes IN that kind Of we'd
lock. The pretence that this was de-
signed against polygamy is vain.
Thousands Of Latter-day Saints OF
"Mormons" have been married &C.
cording 10 that principle who never |
entered into polygamy
Il is that provision against which the /
Paris Post objects and not against /
any law or oath or obligation that re- /
qures their Grst allegiance 10 their |
country The "Mormons" have ex- /
hlbited quite as much genuine patriot
ism, On peace and In war. as have any /
Of their accusers In matters Of faith I
all citizens Of this country are free
to believe that which appeals TO their /
reason, no matter how they may be
viewed by other people The nation /
has nothing 10 do with such matters |
nor has the state the right 10 interfere /
with them The notion that laws may .
be- enacted against belief Ga religious
tenet which involves nothing that can
be claimed as 'nimical 70 the public
peace or welfare. is worthy only Of
the dark ages
Idaho papers would do much better
10 take up such questions as relate
10 the maintenance ~ their respective
political principles and parties. Than
to get down into the old. dirty ruts Of
anti."Mormouism' The great need in
that state just now o. 20 ria 81 of plot
tiers against the liberties OF "a large
body Of ne citizens. 10 unite contending
factions, and % promote harmony and
order aud goodwill Tor the permanent
benefit OF all its laW.abidiug iuhabit-
ants.