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Show The Utak Si tuation Richfield (Utah) Reaper. Well, the long coutnst is over, and Senator Smoot is permitted to retnin his seat and fill out his term. The result wns no surprise to us. Following Fol-lowing closely the public pulse and the final lining-up of the Sonators on the issue, it became evident to us some time ago that ho would not be ousted, especially es-pecially on a two-thirds vote. We are of the opinion, however, that a majority ma-jority vote would have been against him a few months ago Tho matter is settled set-tled at. last and is history now. What is to be the outcome now in Utah? Will it bring :in. end to the bitter contentiin and strife that have been going on for the past four vears? We doubt that it will unless-there are some radical changes hero at home, we behevo that so far as Senator Smoot, s caso was concerned, it had ceased lo be a material factor in tho social and political conditions of this State. While ho has been the storm-ccutcr storm-ccutcr lo a great extent during these four vears, tho issues which originated with his election to the Scnatorsliip had 111 reality passed from a man to a principle. prin-ciple. That principle around which now centers the storm cloud is a general ono of the active participation in political poli-tical aftairs by men in high ecclesiastical ecclesias-tical positions. This is not a principle or an issue born with the election of Senator Smoot or the birth of tho American party Tt has been an undisguised feature 0? every ev-ery campaign since statehood. Tt has been a serious issue with 0110 of the lendin- parties of this State for the I past twelve years. And it will make no diftercnce what may be other issues this one feature will continuo to be a tormenting factor as long as church leaders engage in our political concerns 1 It will not down. TlienB parly of this State hag Bm-iriB it and a portion of tho Rcinhii m is now smarting under it llcj5p There is a remedy! how,,,.. Ml all. This unnatural division f 'l enn be wtped out, strnined nV,Di ' atron in, without furthor conl I Senator Smoot resign hi -,, !? M1 declare thnt, he ther political honors when h,1-' ft office expires, and sinuiltantonl i domiunnt church decree thnt I Hti ' none of its leaders none' r officials-shall take any w in political affairs, the onen-0r,i has brought about the preaoM religio warfare an,l the cauiS removed and the strife v-ni ' 3 If churchmen . (church fifti to continue 111 the political ' Utah, that will be J pS ' locally in spite of all effort?,''' down. No oommunitv eoiil.t ! "J When the balance of pofflS S in the hands of men vl-hn Si er and influence because of t ffl? positions, 11 ought Jo he rea 1. a glance that their entr- -."1 lien I affairs is dangerous, and n logical outcome would be fo or the other to bitterlv rcW1 We often hear the rlnM. officials of the dominant cS-1 . State and the officinls of church have the right to ,r'7 political activity and .ert , office if thc-y want to. Of j have the right But it is b S I sist upon rights at timrc f." I certain rights which at time ii 1 ed upon, can do more hunn Vil, ! Thero are personal rights rWi I ficed for a1 time, v:lffo'M mty good than their appli5fi personal ends. u"-uiw If Utah is to hnvo pence . 0rfJi' it can come only at the acrifijll lain personal ambitions ihe ,2If , tion of influences which nn ?W j deny are more potent in j o" j Principles in determining results. Those to whom RenatnVS victory brings pleasure wavm! let iin have peace," hut there'ta no peace, there can be m the cause of the evils comnfi 1 arc removed. 1 , MT.h?. Reaper is sineerc in ul thnt it would be better for IU t of which Senator S.,no' is f ! that it would bo better for' j ecclesiasts to ndop tho couri J I would end this strife God k-woiild k-woiild be the very bost thi and her people as -a whole M happen. 6 IT this is not done, toll u, how can the present conflict h J As we state above, an um ciple has .been evolved, and ! mony to a groat extent with aau current of thought and feeling has existed 111 i tah ever .sinctiK hood. Good, clean, strong m,lS Mormons and Gentiles, both DjhSl' and Republicans, believe and hinft heved for years that the panithfif in political afiairs bv high ofcSlu the loading church gives nn otfosf vantage ono way or' tho other t m jects a feature into Camparis has onl3' a demoralizing offt (a soreness and rancor born of sncio & tions as luuve existed hre in Uhj p 3-ears past can he wiped out onhi (?' elimination of the cause of irfh Some ma- look upon the Senjfrt diet as a justification of the in that has been maintained by eh i. the past, that it is every pirsot'j; i-log1, i-log1, regardless of anv position b $ hold, to engage in politics; Imtti 3r not the quest ioh now. The qui $ Will those who have it in thiii -to stop the bitter discord here ill i , do Hint which will end it, or-wiE: allow tho strife to' contiiinel H sure as the sun shines and tt Fit fall, this strife will contiiic Mfaj it is possible for any political fa $ be the beneficiary ofth? infliic fcil men, through tfieir ecclosiaslici!) k lion, may command ; j |
