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Show WcMIets with ii rebuff by ogoenites The following is a comment on a meeting held in Carnegie Hall. New York City, at which Frank J. Cannon gave an anti-Mormon speech. The comment is taken from last night's edition of the Deseret News under the heading of "Cannon's Tirade in Carnegie Hall" and follows a review of Cannon's remarks, In the audience were President Monson. Hagbert Anderson of Ogden. Ashley ; Thatcher, a student of Columbia Co-lumbia university, and a part of 100 or more Utah folks from amonj the students and missionaries. The church members made no protest pro-test until after Cannon had had his full say and the meeting had adjourned ad-journed Anderson then pressed for ward to confront Cannon. He spoke to him as "Prankie." The other Utah people present were not surprised at this greeting of familiarity, as Cannon Can-non and Anderson were formerlv bosom friends as boys together iii Ogden. They had shared the Bame dress suit when they owned only one between them and Anderson had organized or-ganized quartettes to sing at rallies where Prank Cannon spoke during his first campaign for the senator-ship. senator-ship. "Frankle," said Anderson, "what'3 the matter with you; and don't you feel a good deal of a sneak to be going go-ing around here telling these things you know ore so untrue?" Cannon ignored the matter presented present-ed to him by Anderson and tried to extend a greeting as an old friend "What are you doing here0' he asked Anderson's reply was that he was on his way to Europe as a missionary mission-ary in the faith that Cannon had deserted de-serted and that It gave him a great deal of pride to know that he was still true, while Cannon had abandoned aban-doned his faith after repeatedly bearing bear-ing his testimony that he knew it was true. Cannon was stnng somewhat by this remark and he shouted out in a tone to attract all who were still in the building "Joseph F Smith has made more money In the two hours this meeting has lasted than you, Anderson, An-derson, will make in a whole year." President Monson Intervened at this point. He told Cannon that he was speaking what he knew to be a falsehood. "No, I don't." said Cannon. "Oh, yes, you do." retorted Presl dent Monson, and Cannon In a still louder voice turned the lssne by shouting: "Joseph F. Smith Is a lawbreaker." law-breaker." At this moment Ash by Thatcher appeared ap-peared on the stage after having worked his way tip from the audience. He took a position directly in front of Cannon while several hundred people crowded around to learn what was the cause of the fresh excitement excite-ment Young Thatcher did not mince his words. "You said things about my father, Mr Cannon, and I am here to tell you that those things were not true. My father and your father were great friends You said my father died of a broken heart because the church persecuted him That was not true My father died in the faith j He kept his testimony and that was l something you have not been able to do I am glad to tell you that I am proud to serve the church that my father served " Thatcher's speech held the audience and won close attention They turned turn-ed to him from Cannon. "If 'Mormonism' is such a vile system." sys-tem." said Thatcher, 'why don't you, Cannon, seek to redeem your own son from lt You know that the only son you have is now on a mission for the church in Germany I have met him there." The onslaught caused the women listeners to turn back to Cannon to see what answer he could make His answer was murmured, "I have taught my boy to follow the dictates of his own conscience," and with that he retreated from the stage through a. back door. Thatcher, on the other! hand, was surrounded by respectful 1 questioners who wanted to ask about the church Cannon had reviled In such unmeasured terms. |