The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-10-15
COMMERCIAL CLUB MISTAKE.

We think that the Commercial Clul
Of this city made radical mistake
when il undertook TO mix up in The
squabble between the Mormon prose
lyters and those opposed to that prose
lyting. The Mormon missionaries have
a perfect right to proselyte in the
| United States, without interference
from anybody. Those who oppose them
have the right to argue against them
as they may sec fit. IL is the ques
tion OF fair field and an open fight
1t has always been the proposition in
the United States that "crror is harm
less when truth is left free to combat
it" We think the public is generally
satisfied and ought to be satisfied, with
that.
The making Of ridiculous charges on
one side, such as the reference to
s'whito slavery, cocaine, morphine, and
other institutions of evil, or extrava-
CANT and foolish claims on the other,
are not worthy of refutation, since they
are SO unsubstantiaI that the public in
stinctively rejects all such loose and
fanatical talk. Yet as TO polygamy, VIC
see no occasion to get into fever
about what Miss Wood says.
But the Commercial Club is business
institution, having no proper functions
in q religious or sectarian fight. 1t
has large and wide field here for
usefulness without mingling in affairs
in which it has no concern. 1t would
hardly be considered fit for the Com
mercial Club to enter into a political
campaign; but it would be quite as
fit for the Club to do that as to engage
in religious or sectarian fight, either
aggressive or defensive. With all such
matters the Club has nothing to do,
and it makes a very serious mistake
when it undertakes to meddle with
matters of that kind.
We trust that the officers of the
Club will take the sober second thought
in this matter and withdraw as grace
fully as possible from this squabblc,
allowing all parties concerned to pur-
sue their own fight in their own way.
IL on the one hand extraordinary and
silly claims are made Of superior yir-
tue and piety. the Commercial Club
would, Of course, take no notice of it.
If on the other hand extravagant and
charges should be made, and
n fact are made, the Commercial Club,
in like manner, should keep its tenn
per and confne its activities to its
own business.
We understand fully the basis upon
which the Commercial Club acted, this
being the theory that the State of
Utah would be damaged in its business
oy the bringing OF such charges as
these made by Miss Wood. But surely
40 one in his sober senses could I'M
agine that the State could be injured
oy extravagant and baseless charges,
such as white slavery, cocaine, NOR
ohinc, and the like. The extravaganza
IF sectarian debate and sectarian ar
,uments in all ages OF the world has Civ
N rise to extreme contentious and bitter
lnimosities and recrimination. But in
his day and age with fair field and
IN open opportunity for discussion, the
on both sides can fairly
,e left alone to fight their own battles
without the interposition Of business
bodies like the Commercial Club.
1t is impossible to believe that such
statements as those could have any
Effect upon the business or prosperity
# Utah, and there is no propriety in
lrging that sort of claim as a reason
Why the Commercial Club should de-
part from its proper business sphere
% enter into the arena on one side or
he other Of the sectarian antagonisms,
either favorable OF in opposition to
hat movement. Let everything pro-
.eed in order, each organization attend
ng to it's own affairs, aud the Com
nercial Club attending strictly to bust
less, letting politics and religion alone,
ind all contention relating to either,
,r to both.