The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-09-28
ON The ELECTION

ON THE ELECTION.
An editorial on THE Presid dential
Election" in tho current number Of the
Improvement Era, signed by President
caused great deal Of comment among
local politicians, and some have con-
strued 1t as an evidence of Church inter
ference In politics.
an interview with a representative OF the
News. authorized US TO say that he alone
a assumes responsibility for the views eX-
pressed In tho article referred to, 1t was
not submitted to any OF his associates,
and was not Intended as anything but the
expression of his personal regard for the
President OF the United States and his
personal opinion OF the policy OF the ad-
minIstratlon. 1t is not meant as a decla-
ration OF the political faith OF the Church,
President Smith added emphatically that
as an American citizen. he considered
himself as much entitled TO hold and TO
express his personal views as any official
Of this, or any other church. or his
friends, or his critics
The President Of the Church stated,
further that there is no intention on the
part OF the Church authorities TO Inter
fere in politics. nor would theme be any
interference in behalf of any political
ever have been. as free IN their choice
OF political affiliations as any other
American citizens. notwithstanding allie
cations to the contrary.
the Church authorities to interfere in any
manner with the political freedom of any
member Of the Church and no official
or member OF the Church is authorized
or will be permitted to speak for or rep
resent the Church In party affairs, or TO
interfere with their party freedom.
During this campaign the Church has
no candidates and does not advocate the
success or defeat OF any political party.
The editorial referred TO must not be
taken as, or used as. a declaration of po-
lltical preference by the Church,
Is resleen yesW anxious p for the % preseryaton Of
the Constitution Of tho United States
and would like to see the Latter-day
Saints, together with NIL good citizens.
stand upon that f1rm foundation, but he
would be the last to use any undue In
fluence In favor Of his personal views and
opinions.
Regarding a story to the effect that
large number OF Eras had been printed
70 be distributed for political purposes.
we are In position to state that 1t is
not true The edition consists OF the
usual number, no more. no less
The trouble about this Is that Prcsi-
dent Smith, when speaking through the
official organ of the priesthood, does
not speak simply as an individual. The
Improvement Era appears under the
idea that it is the special organ Of
the living oracles of the church, that
everything therein is by inspiration,
and to be accepted as controlling on
the members of the church. President
Smith g defiant declaration that he has
as much right to axpress his opinions
as any other American citizen is not
the matter at issue When he expresses
himself as he did in the Improvement
Era in favor OF President Taft, he does
not express himself as an individual
alone, but as the leader of the Mormon
church, a living oracle of God. sus-
tanned semi-annually in general con
ference as a prophet. seer and reve-
lator. He speaks in this way ex ca
thedra. It seems difficult for President
Smith. and for others who argue eve
to eye with him. TO get this difference
through their minds, but it is very
real difference, controlling difference
to lose sight of which is TO evade alto
gether the true significance OF such an
editorial as President Smith put forth
over his signature in the improvement
Era. We are certainly making prog
ress backward IN place OF forward when
this sort Of thing is to be put forth
aud excused or defended in this shallow
yyaV