The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-03

show of reason. that the question was
not settled by the action of the senate
/ by the compliments, but on political
party grounds and expediency.
3. His reelection as his first was, will
be in violation OF the American sentiment
/ that high church officials should not
| seek, or hold, political positions, a SEN
timent to which we have done justice in
Utah, since we hold that 1t is only in
our own case that such prejudices are
active. If we would be entirely candid,
| however, we would admit the sentiment
to be real, and as ready TO be invoked
against other churches as well as our
own. For example: If Cardinal Gibbons
were elected by the Catholics of Mary
land to the United States senate, or if
Archbishop Ireland were elected by the
| Catholic votes of New York to the same
position, we would see aroused in the
United States an opposition against
those men to which the opposition
against Reed Smoot would be as sum-
mer breeze to a cyclone. and urged upon
the same ground, namely, that they are
high churchmen with allegiance primar
ny given to the Catholic church, and
dominated by influence not American
and not political. 1t goes without saying
that both these gentlemen are of high
moral character, Of approved abilities,
but no one would see them elected to the
United States senate without regret.
Why?
Would Perpetuate Bitterness.
4. If Reed Smoot becomes a candidate
to succeed himself ii will perpetuate the
bitterness of spirit in our local politics.
keep alive the cry of the domination of
our politics by church influence. 1t will
eliminate the loyalty to the Mormon
church and its priesthood of many of the
young people, and will furnish excuses
for perpetuation of the American party
and its unworthy efforts in our state.
5. Candidacy of Reed Smoot and all
other political issues should be regarded
in the light of absolute certainty that
I toll - Il WQaad IrN
Mormon state. II the present ratio of in
crease as between Mormon and Gentle
IN our incoming population shall con-
tinue, il is only a matter of ten years
before Utah will be a pronouncedly non
Mormon state 1t is for those who are
the policy of our church TO
consider whether they will have it anti
Mormon as well as non-Mormon.
If we persist in some of the methods
now in vogue il will unavoidably be anti
Mormon, and l venture the prediction
pledges to eliminate the exercise Of ec-
clesiastical authority and influences in
political affairs, the time will come
when the Mormon population of the
destinies of the state politically as they
are now helpless in the municipal affairs
of Salt Lake City. 1 believe that the
true policy of the church would be TO
take this attitude; responding to the we'll |
settled sentiment of the American peo-
pie against ehurchmen seeking political |
pfefSrment. we SHdli hereafter request 1
the general officers of the church. name |
y, first presidency. quorum of the |
twelve, council of the seventies, and pre- |
siding bishopric, to abstain from seeking |
political positions or becoming promi- /
lently identified IN party politics.
! told you in the beginning that l could l
)niy refer to this subject In headlines. |
and within very narrow limits. Each /
paragraph is capable of elaboration, and 4
he reasons for Mr.. Smoot giving up the /
ambition 20 succeed himself could be null
iplied indefinitely
Trusting however. that this outline will /
n part express the views l entertain on
his subject, / am,
Most truly yours.
Signed) B. II. ROBERTS