The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-01-02
it could be possible for a human being
to be better than they were.
THE HIGH APPEAL.

Tho situation in Utah is one to APP
| peal to the highest spirit of self-sacri-
fee, and through that to the most en-
lightened self-interest
1t is but natural that the Mormon
chiefs, having enjoyed absolutism for
so many years, having had the adoring
devotion of their followers through all
the time of their reign as hierarchs,
having been adulated az better men
than any others on earth. and having
had the profit of the toll of their fol
lowers laid at their feet for their un
accounted use-should feel sense of
resentment at any Interference with
their unlawful practices and should
seek by every means In their power to
maintain and even enlarge their auto
cracy. That Is, it is but natural, if
one take into account only the selfish
interest of the individuals concerned
And IN the same narrow view, IL Is
only natural that certain business in
terests and political interests here
which profit BY their relation with the
chiefs of the church should contend
against any controversy which might
initiate against their own immediate
advantage.
In reality, however. devotion to the
common welfare. willingness TO sacrifice
immediate self"advantage, are the best
aids to permanent good and render the
largest profits IN the long run. The
situation here. therefore, appeals to
enlightened selfinterest-to those men
who recognize that the greatest advan,
tage TO themselves, as units of the COM
munity, will accrue from general com
munity welfare, and who sense that the
narrow and obstinate policy which
could oppose reforms because Of the
temporary disturbance would only en-.
tail IN the future time a more serious
conflict when reforms would he more
difficult 10 attain.
The foundation of peace which is
proposed by the hierarchs and their al
lies is an impossible foundation in this
State. 1t consists merely of community
acquiescence in claims which all civih
cation must reject In the years 10
come the conflict would he renewed.
No commonwealth can abide interfer-
ence by the church with civic affairs.
No commonwealth can abide a reGg-
ious violation OF statutory law under
the protection of community forbear-
ance. These are things which the ex-
pcriences of thousands of years have
been compelled to set aside. We can
not expect that heaven will protect this
community in offenses which would de-
stroy any other community; and there
fore, we must apply the remedy by our
own acts and words
To the man who thinks that small
real estate sale of today is of more
importance than perpetual prosperity
and safety In the community, it may
he that the situation appeals in vain,
But to the men of larger mold who
recognize the need for good community
conditions, If they would live and have
progress here, tie demand for their pa
triotic devotion will not be unanswered.
They will continue the fight, rs they
have so far waged it, in order TO do
away with the cause of the strife
making Il resolute war that peace may
come, making swift war that it may
be more mercifI There is not another
community in the United States which
would abide these conditions without
resistance. We cannot expect that
Utah shall be exempt from the common
experience Of mankind. Therefore, TO
he in accord with the sentimentality
Of this age and to he in harmony with
American life. we must eliminate those
things from our civilization which are
un-American in their tone 1t is upon
men who comprehend this great need
and who are willing TO make temporary
sacrifice for permanent good that the
call is made; and TO such men the call
will not be made in vain,