The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-02-21
SMOO1 IS SUSTAINED"
AFTER LONG STRUGGLE
Continued from Page I.

from Page I.
I grant misdeeds. The defeat Of this
/ resolution would be tantamount TO put
ting the seal of official approval upon
a conspiracy conceived, as l believe,
in reasonable antagonism TO our re-
publican institutions.
Mormonism Not Welcomed.
There is not a city or village or
hamlet in any section of the United
States where MormOpism Is not in con-
troll Of local affairs, that does not well
come to its circle of institutions of
moral advancement the coming of a
new church society or organization
representative of any or all of the exist
ing creeds of religious faith save that
of the Mormon church. A proposal to
establish d society of this creed in my
own state. where MOrmonism has not
yet reached its head. would evoke a
storm of protest. SO it would. / con-
fidently believe. in any other section Of
the country where the institution is not
in political control. It would be tiIne
enough for this law-giving body TO en-
brace in its membership the apostolic
representative of Mormonism, when
that organization. duly renovated and
reformed. no longer a menace to civil
iZatiOn. is worthy of admission in full
fellowship With other organizations
against whose history, tenets and prac-
tees the moral sentiment of the land
is not in revolt
Higher Law Invoked.
After the most serious consideration
of the question. | have been unable to
reach any other conclusion than that
in this very peculiar and exceptional
case my action must be controlled by
law more profoundly fundamental than
the liberal texts which have furnished
the eloquent arguments of senators
with whom / am obliged to disagree.
In dealing with the dangerous doctrine
of an institution established upon the
principle that is superior to the govern
mental system and under which we
live, We can afford to arise above con-
ventional constitutional construction.
The higher law should be invoked-the
unwritten law embraced in the inner
ent duty of every citizen of the repub-
lie TO defend the written instrument
from the assaults OF those who would
destroy it.
with the history of the Mormon
church before US, it is discreditable to
the universal accepted creeds of re-
ligious faith to say that Mormonism
found its inspiration in religious cOnvic-
tons; that its sponsors were moved
wholly by a desire to serve God. and
thus to contribute to the salvation of
mankind. 1t is impossible for me to
associate MormOnism with other sec
tartan organizations. l am in full ac-
cord with the constitutional provision
that every one should worship God in
his own way, but | have no sympathy
with an organization whose oathbound
members array themselves i'm the liV-
cry OF heaven in order that they may
gain control of temporal affairs, social
and commercial
Seeks Political Control.
In this respect the Mormon church
is VIGOROUSLY unique. Its scheme of
is based wholly upon its sue
cess in dominating the political for
lures Of states in which il conducts its
operations. Without this advantage it
would be a failure, Once in political
control. il moves rapidly forward until
ii acquires commercial supremacy. At
all times the saving of souls is but an
incidental part of its strange business.
And yet, at no time and in no way, not
even through its perfected system of
has it been enabled to hide
itself from the public gaze. The law
abiding people of the land have not
been deceived. From NauvoO to the
house at Salt Lake City.
rom the place OF plural marriages 10
he tithe-paying colony. from the coll
my TO the ballot box and the ballot box
10 the United States senate, an indul- /
gent people has looked steadily on in
nrayerfui hopefulness that the time will /
surely come when the strange and de- |
rious course of Mormonism. ever de- /
liant of popular opinion. stimulated /
With the lust of possession and power 4
would receive a check. That time has 1
,Cme, and no more fitting place could 1
De chosen than i'm this chamber of inn /
partial judgment for the rendering Of /
he long-delayed verdict"
Foraker's Tribute to Smoot.
Senator Foraker, who followed Mr.. I
said:
mo case whatever has been made |
hat viii Justify us in either declaring /
Tacant the seat, or expelling the sem
tor from Utah. Reed Smoot has prov
n a better character than any other /
enator here has a right to claim. He /
5 so good man that / almost doubt
i'm He does not drink smoke, chew
IT swear. and he is not a polygamist"
The applause of the galleries at this
vas checked by the vice president.
Mr. Bacon gave his reasons why he
hould. vote against Mr. Smoot to be
hat as an apostle and member of the
governing body Of the Mormon church.
Ir. Smoot countenanced polygamy and
union of church and state. Mr. Ba-
on contended. however. that it re-
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