Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-09-23
THE POLITICAL RULE.

There is no law written or I'M
written. that prohibits an American
citizen from interesting himself in
the government Of the community in
which he lives. because OF any ec-
clesiastical position he may hold
This self-evldent proposition the
daily exponent Of un-American prin-
cipes characterizes as IAN audacious
falsehood" why then not present the
law. written or unwritten that con-
tains such restriction OF the rights
and duties Of American citizens? A
mere reference to the existence Of
such a law, by which 81 could be- found,
would save the organ some Of lts Bill
lingseate. for future use, and % may
need the entire supply after q while.
The manner IN which Moses
Thatcher IL referred TO by the sheet,
would lead one to suppose that the so
called political rule promulgated In
1896 contains restrictions upon the
duties Of citizens II does not. Since
the Tribune did not dare to print IT,
to use one Of It's favorito expressions,
we viii Here It is
we unanimously agree to and pro-
mulEate as rule that should always
be observed in the Church ana hy
every leading official thereof that be-
for ACCEPTING ANY POSITION,
political OR OTHERWISE, which
would Interfere with the proper ana
complete disc barge OF his ecclesiastical
duties. and before accepting noml-
nation or entering into engagements to
gufA afFirfn1 NhnHflH
apply TO the proper authorities ana
learn from them whether he can CON
sistently with the obligations already
entered into with the Church upon as
Stunning his office take upon himself the
added duties and labors and respons-
sibilities OF the new position
Now. everybody can see that this rule
does not prohibit anyone from In
terestine himself I'm the government OF
the community IN which ne lives II II
an agreement 70 the effect that no
leading official Of the Church SHAH ec-
cept any Office before having ascer-
tanned whether The duties Of the new
position In the judgment OF his assoc
ciates win interfere with the ohIiga-
lions he already has entered into by
accepting Office in the Church. Aud the
rule Is not limited to political appoint-
ments. Il takes m au positions. pou-
tical and otherwise. 40 is o. rule that
obtains. we presume. in every church.
and every business establishment A
clergyman engaged 20 care for cone
gregation would not accept "a political
position without consulting those who
had engaged him, If be expected TO rec
tain his ecclesiastical Office too. The
manager OF business would not ace
cept "a new business engagement With
out consulting his firm That o. au
there is TO this rule.
We have quoted the FIRST part OF the
Rule. The second reads:
1--WE declare that ln making these
requirements of ourselves and our
brethren in the ministry. we do
not In the least desire 90 dictate t0
them concerning THEIR DUTIES AS
AMERICAN CITIZENS. on 40 interfere
with the affairs Of the state; neither
do We consider that iu the romotest
degree we are seeking the union ot
Church and state We once moro here
rcpudiate the iusinuaton that there ls
or ever has been 600 attempt by our
ground occupied by the state, or that
there has been or rs the wish 40 cur-
tan any OF its functions
That Is thc Rule. is there anything
80 contrary 10 the principles of
American liherty9 II not who De-
guilty ~ "audacIous falsehood7"
Too long the daily spokesman Tor
un-Ameriran principles has deceived
tho public by mIsrepres and
sTIsvndered feeling NJ disirusi
and oven hatred toward one class of
citizens. Were 10 not for such miss
representation There would bs no oc-
caslon FOR conflict or strife here AN
could work together tremendously f0i
tho rapid development of the CItr This
does not suit the ganers that uye
like vampires by the wounds from
which they can suck tho lIfe-bl0oa
~ thoir victims but it should
Fuit the ciuzons who are here DO build
100 the city and thoir honest business
Tho tax-palers should be- interested
ln the establishment OF peaceful cons
dltious and the election of honest OH.
hcluls