Show THE CHURCH PROPERTY THE supreme court of the united states has bag at length taken action in regard to the suit for the confiscation of the personal property of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints that is in to say eay it has haa left the question at issue still unsettled the property seized still of the conclusion reached that there does not exist any person or corporation legally entitled to any ADY of the personality as the successors of said church is very re markab 0 in face of the living fact that the latter lafter day saints still exist individually and as a body and bre are the rightful owners of the property seized the statement too that there does not exist any trust or purpose for which any part of the personal property was originally required to which any part of it can be used that to is not in whole or in part opposed to public policy and good morals is also very peculiar and contrary to the facts of record in the case can any of the ordinances of the church now that polygamous marriages have ceased be fairly classed cassed as opposed to public policy and good morals morale Is the preaching of the gospel the baptism of repentant believers the services in meeting houses the ceremonies in temples or the main lobance of church organizations opposed to public policy and good morals I 1 if so the same way may be said against the conducting of any and every organization in the country public policy PY is a very elastic phrase if the state can declare the promulgation and support of the creed of one church to be against public policy it can do the same in regard to any other or to all of them the mormon church as it le is commonly called has nothing in its organization or practice which is contrary to law what has the state then to do with it by way of interference public policy to is very indefinite and we fall fail to find in the system of american government any power of court or congress to touch church property or sup suppress pressa a religious system or decide as to the effect of any faith upon public policy bat passing by the evident errors and assumptions in the decree we will briefly notice the present situation of the case the court does not appear able to say to what charitable use in accordance with the original intent of the donors the personal property of the church can be put that will be lawful in character this leaves the question open to be determined either by congress or a court the term master we understand to be a master in chancery thus some lawful purpose may be found on application to a proper court or congress may wrestle with the subject and pass a law to settle the matter the decision of the court will be pen open to appeal the act of congress will be subject to judicial investigation vesti gation to test its constitution constitutionality aRty and thus further litigation seems inevitable ovi table meanwhile expenses go on which are to come out of the funds seized and so the property of the latter day saints is laid open to waste and plunder if the government of the united states can afford to bear the grave responsibility for this injustice we think the saints can manage to endure it without much murmuring it will not affect their faith one lots iota it will not stop the spread of the truths which they have received from heaven it will not hinder the building up of the church of christ or stay the fulfil fulfill ment of the promises of the almighty to his people and as this is his work we can smile at all efforts to destroy iland if needs be take joyfully the despoiling of our goods in view of the eternal riches which will be the reward of the true and faithful |