Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-12-24
Resolution to King Gustav Against tho
Efforts of Lutheran Priests to
EXpcl Missionaries.

All mass meeting Of Swedish pco-
pie held Friday night in the Twelfth
| Thirteenth ward Westinghouse 1t was
decided to send n resolution of protest
TO King Gustav of Sweden against the
efforts Of Lutheran priests representing
the Augustana synod to secure the pas-
sage of law cxpellng Mormon mis-
sionarlcs from Sweden.
Mr.. Hugo Peterson presided and Mr.
y. krantz was elected secretary. 4
committee consisting of A. w. Carlson,
l.. NJ. Olson of Ephraim. Prof. Beck
strand: tSS. Fcrnstrom. l.. Dahiquist,
| John lawrence, John Anderson of I.o-
gan. l.. Stoh of Ephraim, and ]. M.
| S)odahl. was appointed to draft an an
swer to the petition of the representa-
ives OF the Augustana synod, and
| While the members of the committee
| who were present retired to discuss the
| question before them. an article printed
IN "Stockholms Dagblad" containing
synopsis of the Augustana petition was
read to the audience by Mr.. \. Nilsson.
The answer as agreed on by the COM
mittee was then read and the adoption
OF 1t moved by j. NJ. Sjodahl who in
strong terms protested against persecu-
ton in general and particularly against
persecution under the banner of Prot
estantisnl.
MIR. FERNSTROM'S STAND.
Mr.. Fernstrom seconded the motion.
He reminded his hearers OF the fact
that Sweden has always been foremost
IN the battle for liberty. Gustavus
Adolphus. he said, fought the battles of
liberty in Germany. through which
Lutheran Professionalism was saved
from humiliation. Taking UP the state
ment Of the Augustann clergymen that
salt Lake City Is Il "Sodom'' in which
GOO persons live by prostitution, he EN-
phatically denied the truth Of it. But.
he added. if It were true. the Latter
day Saints could not be blamed for 1t.
The responsibility rests upon the City
government. He further stated that 1t
had not come to his knowledge that
any Swedish girls who had Joined the
Church had even fallen to the low level
of that element He could, therefore.
not comprehend how tho clergynen
could urge the expulsion of our mis-
sonaries from Sweden on the ground
that non-"Mormon" city government
permits prostitution in Salt Lake.
PEOPLE ARE TOLERANT.
State Senator l.. NJ. Olson. said he
did not believe the petition of the
Augustana priests would amount to
anything. He read from the History
OF Sweden. showing that the people
have always been tolerant. He quot
ed the constitution which says the
king has no right to use force III mat
ters relating to conscience, but that
he must protect every citizen in his
right to religious worship. He felt sure
the king would do his dnty. but at
the same time he thought 1t necessary
to place truth in the hands of the
government, and before the people,
through the press.
PROVO MAN TALKS.
A Il. Ohlander OF Provo said he had
on one occasion had the privilege OF
shaking hands with King Oscar, the
distinguished father OF the present
king. and he felt, he said, then that
he stood in the presence of a great
and noble man. He had served the
king as a soldier. and lie felt lie had
right to ask for the protection Of
the government. for his faith, against
unreasonable assailants.
MIR. l.. DAHLQUIST.
H. Dahduist said the petition of the
Augustana synod was but ono link In
n chain that had been forged for the
purpose of prosecuting the Church in
Sweden He referred to suggestion
by DR.. Waldenstrom to the same eff
feet. and resolutions adopted by a
recent ecclesiastical assembly as proofs
Of concerted action to create an un-
favorable public opinion In Sweden.
He denied. however. that the Au-
g,istana clergymen speak for 100000
Swedish Americans, as they falsely
claim. The Swedish press in America,
he said. knew absolutely nothing of
tho movement until 1t was launched
by the four or five individuals that
arc sponsors for It. and had 1t actual
" been considered by 100000 Swedish |
Americans, or 1000, the Swedish press |
here would have known 1t.
The resolution rs. read was then |
adoptcd. with the addition OF n couple
of amendments.
PRIEST. ANTHON II. LuND.
President Anthem II. Lund said II he |
had been ~ Swcde he would certainly !
have signed that letter. 1t was true |
and to the point. Hc refutcd some of |
the ISLANDERS current in the press con-
ccrning the Church and Priest. Joseph
r. Smith. and expressed his apprccia-
ton of the effort made to make the
truth known. 1t had been alleged. hc
said. that II tho president would only
lift his finger he could get the people
to sign anything he wanted. But here,
President Lund said. is meeting OF
which the President knew nothing un-
til he was told Of it tonight. There Is
no co-crcon about 1t, Tho protest Is
spontaneous and prompted by II de-
sire for tho victory OF truth and justice.
Mrs. Agnes Dahlauist Beckstrand
and Prof Give rendered beautiful
musical solos during the evening. and
the Swedish choir sang couple OF
songs which were very much enjoyed.
Tho resolutions will be given to the
press as soon as they have been sent