The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-21
WHY HE IS CRITICISED.

Probably The Tribune should give its
reasons for its repeated and somewhat
severe criticisms of Joseph +. Smith,
president of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Lattcr-day Saints. That this paper
has sufficient cause goes without say.
ing with those who arc Informed upon
the subject, and who have the welfare
of Utah at heart; but there are those
who are not acquainted with the facts,
and who may deem that We are unduly
severe. And for their information we
explain.
Passing the long story which would
cover the period of Mormon existence
antedating arrival of the first Mormon
settlers in this valley-(It is long and
painful, and out of the experience came
partially-chastened people into Utah,
whose chief woe had been wrought by
sinful and even criminal leaders)-we
will say that between the years 1917
and 1890 this commonwealth was torn
by a strife brought on by the polvga
nous cult as against the Government
Of the United States. The inevitable
result was that the polygamous priest
hood was compelled to retreat, In the
year 1890 the Woodruff manifesto was
issued. This document not only was
pretended 10 set at rest the disturbance
that had always kept Utah in turmoil
Mormons as being solemn pledge that
the cause for unrest should forever be
set aside by the polygamous cult. who
had been the source of nearly all the
woe that had afflicted the community
President Wilford Woodruff. who issued
that manifesto inhibiting polygamy and
the polygamous relation, we believe,
lived up TO his promises and pronounce
ments, George @. Cannon, his first
counselor, as we arc advised, was
equally faithful to the promise made
When President Woodruff died, Lorcuzo
Snow succeeded him; and then Joseph
L. Smith began TO realize his oppor-
tunity. He became the factor and
upon the demise of President Snow he
put into execution the dream of his
life.
Joseph F. Smith sought to set up IN
this State a thcocratic kingdom, while |
vet he pretended in public that his
was being given TO the in
stitutions and laws of the country. He
sought 10 so direct the vote of mis- fol |
lowers as TO concentrate in them, aud
through them in himself, the political
power to build up the kingdom which
It's chief object the notification of all
laws under which he and his likes might |
be punished for their transgression In
reality, as his later utterances show, |
he never accepted the Woodruff mani |
festo in earnest and in honesty; be- |
cause that official document had been,
by himself and the church, declared to |
interfere with his favorite occupation
that. Of bringing into the world lille. !
gitimate children to marry into the |
families Of lawabiding and decent mo-
Of any and all or no religious |
belief. Since the Woodruff manifesto |
has been embodied into State law he |
has claimed the special right to obey
or to disobey that law, just as he chose
in fact, expressing his prcrereAce for
taking chance as against the law.
He has secretly counseicd polygamy TO
trusted men Of the church, intending
to re-establisb general practice Of that |
doctrine at an opportuDc time. Be-
cause of his teaching and example hun
dreds Of Mormons have broken the law;
and because of his love for this class
of lawbreakers he has extended the pro-
tectivc power of the church to shield
the criminals and to hide their crimes.
In his great anxiety to enlarge his
own powers, and TO extend his personal
influence. Joseph +, Smith procured The
election TO the United STATES Senate of
ono Reed Smoot, an apostle Of the Nor
mon church. In this he was merely con
cerned IN the matter of obstructiua the
efforts Of the Government and the peo.
pie of the United States in dealing with
INC polygamous practices OF winch he
is so fond. and in which he is lust now
so defiant. He has taken the property
of the, church, released from eschcaf