The Springfield herald., 1907-02-22
DEFENDS SM0OT
MoRMoNIsM is NOT A DIsouALl-
FiCATIoN.
SPEECH OF SENATOR KNOX
eays That the United States Has Guar
anteed Religious Toleration in Utah
States Should Be Left Free in
Choice of Senators.

Washing ngton.-Senator Knox of Penn
sylvania made an address in the Sen
ate Thursday in support of Senator
Smoot's title to a seat in the Senate as
representative from Utah. He strongly
opposed the report of the committee on
privileges and elections which favors
ousting Smoot. He insisted that moth
ing short of two-thirds vote OF the
entire Senate membership could un-
scat the Utah senator
Nj. Knox insisted that Smoot should
not be expelled because of his Nor
monism, as the United States had guar
anteed religious liberation in Utah. He
should not be expelled even If he ap-
proved polygamy, and the Senate
should not go out OF Its way In defeat
ing Utah's choice.
MI Knox argued that there Is no fed
eral law against polygamy or polyga-
nous cohabitation applicable to Utah.
Mr.. Knox said he had Intentionally
referred to the proposed action against
Senator Smoot as expulsion, as he did
not think the Senate would seriously
consider that any question is involved
except one of expulsion.
He contended that there is no ques-
ton of Senator Smoot possessing the
qualifications prescribed by the consti-
tuition, and, therefore, he could not be
deprived of his seat by majority vote.
Subject to the constitution, said Mr.
Knox, the states are left untrammeled
in their right to choose their senator's.
1T is an easy step after the first one
is taken" continued Mr.. Knox. be
cause of mans religion, to take the
next and logical one of exclusion be-
nf
cause of his notions upon economics,
and then because of his attitude to-
ward certain legislation.
"As regards Senator Smoot, all have
agreed that he is man Of unblem-
ished character. possessing every con-
stitutional qualification as asenator of
the United States. The only charge
against him is that he is member and
officer of the Mormon Church. Clearly.
that in itself cannot disqualify him in
this government, where, as Mr.. Justice
Story said: 1.-The Catholic and the Pro
testant, the Calvinist and the Arme-
nian. the Jew and the infidel, may sit
down at the common table of the ma
tional councils without any inquisition
into their faith and mode OF worship.
Discussing the doctrines of the Nor
mon Church, Mr.. Knox quoted from
MI Smoot's testimony that the law of
the land is binding If it comes in con-
flict with the church.
IN this country" said Mr.. Knox, re
,igious belief is not an offense or
defense. A man may believe what he
chooses without fear of molestation
from the law or deprivation of his civil
rights. The only thing alleged against
Smoot is that he tolerates polygamy
If this disqualifies him. every citizen OF
Utah. Mormon and GENTLE is likewise
disqualified. who likewise refrains
from prosecuting the old Mormon
polygamists-and they all do"
Declaring that polgamy is dying out
and that polygamous marriages have
ended in Utah. Mr.. Knox said:
81 do not see how the sanctity OF the
American home is at stake In this is
sue If the Mormon Church teaches
polygsmy and encourages its practice,
surely the fact that Senator Smoot is
nlonogamist and has from his youth
up set his face and lifted up his voice
against polygamy is conclusive evil
dence that he is fighting for the home. >