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Show THE CITIZEN 4 the community and a large segment of the community has again been subjected to a thralldom that is always provocative of the fighting spirit in Americans. Today the fight is on because of a return to the conditions which in former years caused real American citizens to band together in defense of their rights. So much proof is available that some of the Mormon church leaders are in the political saddle that probably there will be no attempt to deny it. Certainly there can be no successful denial made. Church interference being granted, what are voters of Salt Lake going to do about it? Shall the church attend to its ' legitimate church business, or shall it be permitted to suppress American institutions and substitute for them the intolerance which exacts sacrifice of every American right. 'Of all the candidates before the people in this election it can be said that they are worthy and deserve personal respect. Of the principles behind some of them, unfortunately, no such thing can be , said. If we are to have progress in Salt Lake City, Americanism must prevail in practical form. Americanism will not bow to ecclesiastical intrusion into its political affairs, and it is the duty of every American to make the fact plain at the polls on election day. NESLEN CALLS DEMOCRATS. Mayor C. Clarence Neslen has put in a call to all Democratic chairmen to meet for the purpose of organizing and putting a solid front to the enemy the American party in order that he may be victorious in the coming election, Tuesday, November 6. when spoken of Our city form of government is on the streets, but behind the curtains it reverts back to party lines. Neslen is a good Democrat but he is holding a position which he secured by open appeal to all parties to vote for the man and not the party. Now he comes forth and is the first tp break the pledge by endeavoring to assemble the Democratic machine behind himself. His running mates, Commissioner T. T. Burton and Herman H. Green are classed as Democrats also, having worked with the Democratic machine ever since they entered politics, although Mr. Green openly proclaims himself a Republican. Apparently Mayor Neslen is going to pull every string to secure his election. His cry will be Keep the Democratic machine in power in the city. What have those Republicans to say who are supporting Mayor Neslen? Have they been promised jobs, or are they going to help the Democrats win? non-partis- an APOSTLES TRAFFIC IN CITY OFFICE. Among the most notable statements made at the meeting of the American party in the Salt Lake theatre Monday night last, was the significant one made by H. R. MacMillan that two Mormon apostles had offered the American party the mayor. Mr. MacMillan did not name those apostles, he was not asked to do so as he was in the case of Nephi L. Morris who, he said, had told the Salt Lake board of education that if they would not permit the use of the city schools for religious purposes he would see to it that a board was Some in the audience called for tne name, of elected that would. this gentleman, the speaker gave it and evidently having received this rebuff none of his auditors had the termity to ask the speaker to name the two apostles. To know them would be interesting. But still more interesting is the fact that Mormon apostles can promise to give the office of Mayor or any other office whatever to the American party or to any other party. Why is it possible that responsible officers those high in authority in the Mormon church can promise the election of . any nominee if that church has divorced itself from affairs political? It is the right and province of the people and only the people to elect those officers but not in Utah. This priestly offer is proof conclusive if proof were lacking that this church as an organization has but to signify its preference for a particular person to fill office and at its behest, hey presto, the man or men, Is elected. And so it is that church has but to make known to its members through its peculiar methods and multiplicity of channels rthat it desires a particular thing done and, lo, it is as good as done. Thus in Utah, in Salt Lake City an election is a farce, the church authorities decide who shall be the favored ones, and their edict having gone forth from the coventhian edifice at the top of Main street, is final and the result a foregone conclusion. Today you have two Mormon apostles trafficking in city offices and the president of a stake threatening an invasion of the city schools. You have but to look at the legislative halls of this state and the nation, to see the effect of priestly influence m the preponderance of Mormon representation and you have but to ask yourself, is it not time an organized protest was made by the American citizenry in Salt Lake against such trafficking? And the answer, in part, to that question, was given by the votes of Americans at Tuesdays primary. The answer in full, let us hope, will be written in blazoned letters on November 6. . AMERICAN, JUST AND RIGHTEOUS COUNSEL. At the American party meeting in the Salt Lake theatre on Monday night last a young man in the audience, in response to a statement made by H. R. Macmillan, answered, Yes, I'm a Mormon and I'm proud of it. Tis well. Tis good. But my young Mormon friend with the Being a language of the apostle, Come, let us reason together. dominance in this Mormon, because of the churchs state, carries with it some responsibilities. If you love your church more than you love power, then see to it that your ecclesiastical organization forever divorces itself from affairs of state. That it not only refuses all interference but that in its daily acts and conversation it demonstrates to the world that the separation of church and state is complete and absolute. If you love your country and its constitution to which you owe allegiance and which guarantees your church, and all other churches, the rights and privileges which they enjoy, see to it in right, Justice and equity that the rights and privileges of others are not Invaded or abridged. See to it that your church keeps faith with the people, of this nation. What the American party seeks for its adherents are but the rights and privileges that the constitution guarantees your church, the right to exercise the franchise untrammeled, without interference from any ecclesiastical organization the right to vote for whom we choose without having a choice made, beforehand, by high church authrities whose acts destroy our elective power. all-power- ful THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES. The reference at a recent mass meeting where the issues of theQ present election were being discussed, to the Sword of Damocles was timely and appropriate. Even though we concede for the sake of the argument that the leaders of the dominant church are not interfering and have not interfered in the affairs of state, all must admit that there exists in this community an opinion that these leaders of the Mormon church have exercised their influence in political affairs. This opinion, whether justified or not, like Banquos ghost will not down. So long as it prevails, just so long will, there be dissatisfaction and just so long will we be deprived of that peace and prosperity for which. we all are striving. The whole matter can be set at rest once and forever if those who preside over the destinies of the church, will make an unqualified and clear announcement that hereafter the church shall confine its attention and activities to religious affairs AND NONE OTHERS. After that announcement has been made, let these leaders of the church steadfastly refuse to listen to committees, organizations and " . |