Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-07-10
PIONEER DAY.

AS our readers are aware, the gath
Of this month VIII be the 60th ami
yersary Of the entrance OF the Pio-
heers into this valley. we have en-
,eavored TO bring this great anniver-
larry TO the remembrance of the puh'lc
Sy an authentic account of the daily
ourneys Of the advance guard across
he plains. and. as already announced,
special Pioneer edition of the News
viii appear on the Gath, containing
treat deal of interesting reading, which
viii be worth while preserving.
We venture the suggestion that Pho
neer day this year be observed. wher-
,ver practicable, in some manner. by
he rendition Of a suitable program FOR
instance, in meetinghouses, or in the
,pen air at resorts where people gath
ar for recreation, In Utah, and through
out the mountain region. 1t Is DAY
In the commemoratlon of which all VINO
are Interested in the advancement OF
civilization can unite. Pioneer day has
religious significance. because the
Pioneers were Pilgrims in search Of
place where they could worship in lib
srty of conscience, but tt has a stlll
more comprehensive meaning, because
they were also the advance guard Oh
American civilization in the west
There is no reason why all good Gnu
Gems should not celebrate that great
historical event, which has been called
he Mormon" Exodus. for it marks an
epoch in the history of the nation. 1t
Is but right that the younger genera
ton should be told the wonderful
story of the sacrifices of their fathers
and mothers for religious and civil ND
erty, ana the significance OF their
westward march: it is necessary that
they should. on all proper occasions
ne encouraged TO follow in their foot
steps and remain faithful to the prin-
,iples OF truth and Righteousness Tor
which they lived and died.
There is In modern history nothing
like the Mormon" exodus and settle
ment of these valleys. The founding
of Utah resembles very much the
commencement of the Republic by the
Pilgrim fathers. The grand thought
was first conceived in the inspired
mind of the Prophet Joseph. It was
carried out by his successor in office,
Brigham Young, and upon the founda-
lions first laid by the great Empire
Builders, others have built, until today
a galaxy Of glorious American states
is Hourishing ON what was but 50 years
ago foreign soil.
The Prophet Joseph. in 1912. told the
brethren that the Saints, after much
affliction would be driven to the
Rocky Mountains, where they would
found many settlements. In 1874 he
instructed the Apostles TO send out a
delegation to explore the West and
find a good location, where we can
remove after the Temple Is completed,
and where we can build city in q
day" Accordingly committee was
appointed to attend to this matter. At
the time there was some rivalry be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States concerning possession of the
Pacific coast. The Prophet petitioned
the government for permission to
raise a force sufficient to protect all
who wished 10 settle IN Oregon and
California, but the men in control
hesitate1.
II is to be noted that the Prophet
Joseph and the Patriarch Hyrum, were
slain by mob, ostensibly accused
of acts of treason. at a time when they
were bending their energies toward
extending the domain of the United
States over territory coveted by other
nations. Had the government accept
cd with greater alertness the magnifi-
cent plans of the Mormon" leaders.
the tragedy of Carthage might not have
dsgraced American history. But 1t
took long time TO decide. Two years
after the death OF the Prophet, his
suggestions were practically acted
upon, and the government accepted the
services Of the "Mormons' to help take
possession OF the Pacific coast, 1t Is
also to be noted that the movement to
the Rocky Mountains. as planned by
the Prophet, was a patriotic movement.
The idea was 10 extend American in
stitutlons to the coast, and to what
extent the statesmen who finally car
rled out that plan, were influenced by
the suggestions of the Prophet, as en-.
bodied in his petitions to Congress and
the President. is a story that has not
as yet been fully told. But there is
no reason why patriots IN the entire
mountain region should not join IN OBJ.
serving Pioneer day this year. For
II marks glorious epoch I'm the his
tory Of our great Republic,