Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-14
AN uNrouNDED ACCUSATION

II is evident from the anti-Churcf
orgaus that the old myth about church
interference In politics is again to b,
repeated with such variations In tbs
text as ingenuity may suggest. The
recital OF that story has become one
OF the infallible signs of an approach
Ing election II is told for its effects
upon certain class OF voters, Just as
Embarrassing nursery tales at ono time
were recounted to children. to make
them do what was expected OF them.
There is, however not the slightest
foundation IN trct for the oft-repeate1
accusation that the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints eXerclzos
Influence upon the politics OF this, or
any other, state. except as any church
as an exponent of the principles Of
truth and righteousness may influence
private and public life. No matter how
often the allegation is made. FIRE.
qucncy OF repetition does not make It
true. Nor does the ready acceptance
OF the story, by unthinking multitudes
constitute proof OF its truth. There is
no truth In IL.
The reader is not asked to- take our
word alone for this. one OF the charges
made by the anu-"NIormon" agitators
before the Senate was that the Church
interferes In and controls political az
fairs in Utah. This was one OF the
big bombs depended upon for the sue
cess Of the conspiracy. But after a
most searching investigation, IL was
found that ''While IL Is no doubt true
that the habit which the Church and
the members of the Church had follow
ed for so many years prior to the break
ing up OF the old parties. of voters re-
ceivlng counsel from officials Of the
Church in regard to the selection OF
candidates for office was not at once
completely broken off, yet the evil
dence further establishes that the im-
provement in this regard has been
Very rapid, and that, of late years, the
Mormon voters of the State adhere
more closely to party lines than the
non Mormons do" This was proved by
that Investigation, and the Senate ac-
cepted, by a large majority vote, the
proofs offered, as conclusive. The re-
port further says: I'VE think the evil
dence establishes the fact that since
Reed Smoot became an Apostle of the
Mormon Church on the 9Th day of
April 1900, the Mormon Church has
not controlled or attempted to control
elections in Utah" proceedings be-
fore the Committee of Privileges and
Elections OF the United States Senate,
Vol w. page 524)
The fact, then. Is simply this, on
the one side we have certain political
agitators who, for the furtherance of
their own selfish interests, accuse the
Church of undue interference In poli-
tics; on the other side we have the i'm
partial verdict of the United states
Senate, declaring that the accusation Is
not supported by the evidence. Can
any sane citizen hesitate as to where
the truth is found? Who, Knowing
the character of some OF the leading
anti" Mormon" aspiants for political
honors viii take their word in prefer
ence TO the official declaration of the
United States Senate?
The very essence OF "Mormonism" is
'HN''S ~ SNS' INNS iiNiuuihS poI'''cs
The Church does not believe In coer-
clon. Even in matters Of faith, liberty
prevails. According to the conception
Of the Church the fundamental prin-
ciple OF the plan of salvation is liberty.
The free agency of man is recognized
In the Church, as In no other organiza-
ton, perhaps For that reason Church
nembers cannot be subject to undue
influence in politics. Those who have
charged such influence have not been
able to give ono instance They cannot
They may talk In general terms and
set off oratorcal pyrotechnics for the
delectation Of crowds, but there is alb
solutely nothing by which to SUBJ
stantiate their accusations.