The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-10

ment? You. after all must decide this
question as God gives YOU TO see the
right. Remember that as a citizen you
are the equal of any other citizen aud
that you are the sworn representative Of
all the citizens of this state, Mormon
Jew and Gentle Remember that you
have registered an oath in heaven that
on will uphold and defend the Consti-
tuition Of the state. and it is just as sub
VerSive of democratic institutions TO al
low churchmen to dominate the legisla-
tive will as it is to allow political bosses.
IT re voices that have come to me in the
din have been. Vote as ] say or III dig
your political grave. you are pledged by
your church to vote for prohibition. and
10 follow your own judgment and to vote
your conscientious convictions would be
to violate that pledge.
I'VE have been asked TO cast aside
conscience and judgment and oath Of Of
flee and to base our actions on the shift
ing sands of petitions secured in two
weeks, many Of the signers Of which had
given but the hrlefest consideration TO the
best means OF destroying most effective
" the evil OF strong drink. And we are
only two years removed from the cloud O.
petitions that darkened the heavens in
the SmoOt agitation. And when some of
hesitated and said. Good people. perhaps
you are wrong in your extreme demands.
perhaps you haven't fairly and carefully
considered this question. lets 90 part
let US 20 the rest of the way two years
from now let's try county unit local Op-
ton nov with the most drastic regulations
that can be devised and discuss this mat
ter as citizens. and work for prohibition
at the next election what was the an
swer2-aa answer given by our religious
associates, in some cases the friends Of
our youth. He i bought. he is controlled
by the brewers: he is keeping a pledge
with the whisky interests: he is a slave
of political bosses And the paper which
has come TO our homes as q trusted
friend bringing with il the sanction and
endorse Inent OF the faith Of our moth
ers-this paper has opened its columns
wide to the spreading abroad and some
times over the names Of honored church
men. Of foul insinuations and ISLANDERS.
Badgers Answer.
Here is my answer to these charges.
From the moment that ] lifted my hand
in solemn pledge that 7 would hold i'll
violate the trust imposed in me as a rep
reszntative OF the people. 7 have thought
of no other subject as I have thought on
the subject of prohibition Of the liquor
traffic. other important legislation has
been neglected in the supreme desire that
this great question be decided in the wis
est. s2uest, most eftectlFe manner III
the secret chambers Of my heart alone
with my conscience. I have given to the
uuestiOu tie best Judgment. the most pa
trioJic emotions. Of which ] am capable
OF one thing / am deeply tldnAEui- ne
salUiity Of my private Judgment has
been preserved from violation by all
thought of political or ecclesiastical con
sedIences Of my conduct. No political
pledge real OF supposed. and no religious
pledge: neither the eXigenCieS OF politics
nor the vote of any conference has influ-
euesf me. I thank Goo that I can look
nv children in the face and say, as far a.
my conduct on this great question IS con-
csrlsd. 7 transmit to you unsuihed tns
birthright Of an American citizen tested
IN the fierce heat of bitter Controversy--
the liberty of private judgment and
clean conscience.
q shall not attempt to answer the Sian
ders and insinuations born OF sUperheated
zeal or Of hypocrisy and fauatiCism which
fill the air with their foul breath. The
first and best answer Of CalUmny is ST.
lence- Character that is worth saving
will take care of reputation.
The saloon is an evil from every stand
Doint moral political. social ana ecOHOm-
fc If il is not wrong, nothing is wrong,
The people demsnd-tO use LincOlns i'm
mortal Dhrase-that the saloon and the
liquor traffic be placed in course or
ultimate extinction As far as lies I'm
my power the people shall be given the
opportunity Of prOnOuuciug its doom.
an for prohibition and shall welcome an
and final indication Of the
will Of the people ending the liquor traffic
within the state OF Utah.
-,