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Show THE SCHEME. Why Franco and Italy and tho Holy Land for President Smith? That is the question which is agitating the minds of tho faithful at this timo; nnd naturally they turn to The Tribuno for answor, because their own organs are silent on tho entire mntter of tho prophet's flight and the reasons therefor. there-for. Well, first, there is the example of Rockefeller, who found a dolightfully quiot nook in the French Ropublic, and enjoyed a seclusion which would not bo possible evon in England, where the peoplo have a. common language and somo common interest in American affairs. af-fairs. But that is not all; for the im-prossivenoss im-prossivenoss of tho argument in bo-half bo-half of President Smith's abstention from politics in the intcrmountain region re-gion of the United States will bo enhanced en-hanced by tho addition of this factor that he was in remote countries where tho peoplo take, vory littlo interest in American subjects, where Amrican newspapers do not circulate and where ho could not by any possible meaus bo kept in touch with or be touched by the political demands of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. And, finally, when he returns re-turns he will have somothing important to talk about to his congregations. President Smith has aspired to bo all things to his community. As soon as i he attained his present "exalted station he desired to show to hia Mormon followers fol-lowers that he was a greater man than all his predecessors combined, with all present miuor hierarchs rolled in to make good measure. President Lyman, of tho apostolic quorum, has, however, ono edge on him. Lyman has been as far as Jorusalem through the Latin countries. Every onco in a whilo tho venorablo president of tho apostolic quorum tells to a Mormon congregation something about France and Italy and Cairo and Damascus and the Mount of Olives; and all that Joseph F, can do i during these sermons of travel, is to' ! gnaw a file. Whdh he returns, therefore, it may be possible to put President and Apostle Lyman's pilgrimages far into the background, and to give fresher information in-formation from the lips of tho prophet himself. 1 Superficially it is a great scheme. Somo of the things, at which he aims may be wrought out, for thero is no reason why Prosidont Smith should not after his roturn, poso before his communities com-munities as ono who has followed, physically, phy-sically, where the Master's feet trod no matter how far he may have gone morally, from The MnstcVs example! But jn the rospoct of his effort to show non-intorferenco in political matters by hiB absenco, President Smith will not bo nblo to cloar his skirts so long ns ho retains and exorcises his supremo power over his community. Ho has loft general instructions, and in gcnoral thoso instructions will bo followed. Wherein "ho hns, left special directions they will be obeyed. Only in aomo linos of details aro the subordinates left free to determine political questions; and in these particulars -wo may expect to see Apostlo Smoot swagger around as if ho wero a free political boss. So, on land or sua, under distant skies, enjoying tho pastornl beauty of Franco or tho gny delights of Paris, with tho Italian fishermen or at tho Hotel of all Nations in Cniro, President Joseph F. Smith will still be In politics in Utah, Idaho find Wyoming, and still be tho controlling controll-ing force for, according to his own declaration to tho world and tho faith of his followers, he is the voice of God to all humanity in all things; and to disregard his mandate is to disobey the Croator of heaven and earth. Inasmuch as tho Intcrmountain Statos cannot cscapo from Joseph F. 's domination in politics, it is not fair that he should escnpo from the responsibility respon-sibility for that domination. |
