The Deseret Weekly, capable of sensing in any degree ruling Power, is so insignificant as their importance, will be a gen- to cut scarcely the shadow of a erally admitted by all whe are figure in the great sum of bumanTHE DESERET NEWS COMPANY, truly religious. If such sub-ity. Therefore it need not enter PUBLISHED BY SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. BUBSCRIPTION RATES: Per Year, of Fifty-two Numbers, IN ADVANCE CHARLES W. PENROSE, Saturday, 1.50. EDITOR. jects are kept out of the schools, the into these considerations when we pupils will be likely to grow up with view them in their vast importance. part of their being undeveloped. Morality, the difference between $2.50. The spiritual is as essential a por- right and wrong, between honesty tion of the person as the physical or and its opposite, between truth and the intellectual, and needs cultiva- falsehood, courage and cowardice, tion in an equal degree. Education highmindedness and brutality, and is therefore incomplete where re- the cultivation of those qualities ligion does not enter into and form which make up refined and civilan important part of it. ized society, and cause boys and girls to grow up honorable, self-controlled and moral men and women, might and ought to be taught in the public schools, and need not involve the introduction of any tenets or the peculiar views of any religious denomination. THE BASSETT CASE REVERSED. BY TELEGRAM from Washington, D. C., Dec. 22, we learn that the Supreme Court of the United States has reversed the decision of the Utah Courts in the case of W. E. Bassett, sentenced for polygamy. Those who oppose religion in the school will say that parents who believe in religion can teach their children at home, and the Sunday schools of the churches will answer every other necessary purpose. To this we may reply, the argument in The case was argued before the favor of teaching children anything There is no true religion which higher court by Hon. F. S. Richards, in school instead of or in addition does not embrace morality. And so and a synopsis of his able argument to instruction at home, applies far as it goes, true morality is part was published a short time ago in just as much to religion of religion. A religion that does the DESERET NEWS. We expressed as to arithmetic, and the not inculcate moral action is not relegation of religion to the Sunday deserving of the name. school would give secular training at least five days in every week as against one day for religious training, thus making the former five times as important as the latter. the opinion at the time that the Court would reverse the decision, for the points presented by Mr. Richards were so clear and forcible and his argument was so legal and logical as to carry conviction with them. And all moral precepts are really religious in their spirit and tendencies. But morality can be taught and illustrated to the juvenile mind without connecting it with any. thing sectarian, or ceremonial or credal. Of course where the schools are The case turned on confidential open to children whose parents hold communications alleged to have opposite views as to creed, denomin- It may be said, if you teach been made by Mr. Bassett to his ational tenets must be excluded. morality you will have to teach rethen legal wife and the admissabil- That needs no extended argument.ligion, because morality is founded ity of her testimony. The courts The Jew does not want his children in the divine law and is defined as below admitted this as evidence, taught the divinity of Jesus Christ, "conformity to divine will." It is and conviction followed based the Catholic does not want Protes- true that "right" as applied to chiefly if not entirely upon this tes- tantism instilled into the minds of timony. This was error, and hence his children, nor does the Protestant forth such testimony cannot be ad- want Papal ideas inculcated in the mitted in trials under the laws of schools. Therefore all forms and Congress against polygamy and creeds and observances peculiar to kindred offenses. Thus law and any church or sect, must of necesjustice once more prevail over ex-sity be banished from the public treme judicial rulings in Utah. RELIGION AND MORALITY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. schoolrooms. The public school system is established. It is an existing fact. Taxes are levied and schools are supported by taxation. In Utah, as in many ONE of the chief objections to the other parts of the Union, education public school system of this country is made compulsory by law. So it is is the exclusion therefrom of re- useless, perhaps, to say much in ligious instruction. "The fear of reference to the system itself, unthe Lord is the beginning of wis-less it be to point out how some dom," and education that is not modifications might be made withfounded in godliness is built upon out doing violence to any one's feelan inadequate foundation. We be-ings. lieve this defect is the principal We think the existence of a Sucause of the opposition to the pub-preme Being as the Creator and lic schools that comes from some Ruler of the universe, and the neportions of the clergy. That early impressions are the most permanent is universally conceded. That faith in a Supreme Being, and accountability to Him for all the acts of life, should be taught as soon as the infant mind is morals is defined as "conformity to the cons itution of man and the will of God." But, as we have shown, belief in Deity can be taught without entering into the question of His characteristics, as jangled over by sectaries, aud veneration of the Supreme Being may be inculcated without touching on any particular form of worship. And thus morality, with that much of universal religion, can form a proper subject for public school tuition, because it does not necessarily include anything that would be objectionale to the devotees of any particular creed or ecclesiastical system. One thing it is certain can be done. That is, every influence contrary to religion and antagonistic to a special form of it, may be and ought to be vigorously excluded from the public schools. If religion cessity of reverence for and obedi-or, religious morality must not be inence to Him, might be taught troduced, no teacher should be perwithout entering into the questions mitted to foster irreligion or infiof His nature or of anything doc-delity or immorality, or proclaim or trinal or denominational. The num- insinuate anything against a given ber of persons who really believe form of faith. If Catholicism may there is no such creative and over- not be taught, anti-popery must not beindulged in. If Episcopalianism may not be taught, it must not be declained against. If "Mormon A SAVAGE SENTIMENT. of the brightest and most liberalminded publicists have been pure EVERY once in a while a stale, blooded Indians. But the developism" may not be explained, anti-flat and barbarous saying is ex- ment of the Indians can never be "Mormonism" must not be per- pressed regarding the Indians of reached by placing them permanmitted. this country. It appears frequently ently on the defensive against the in public journals, and is uttered by unjust encroachments of the race individuals. It is this: "The only claiming to be their superiors. good Indian is a dead Indian." Such a sentiment as the words indicate either comes from a cruel and depraved heart, or is merely a thoughtless expression of a human parrots, who imitates and utters If religion is forbidden in the schools, irreligion must also be forbidden, and no teacher ought to retain his or her position who permits any bias or antipathy concerning a church or a creed to influence the teachings imparted in the school. It is bad enough to have God and what he hears because he hears it, morality excluded from public and because other people have said juvenile instruction. Infidelity it, he takes it for granted as being and hostility to the religious views proper. When the cold-blooded of parents must not be tolerated in declaration comes from a person of the school-room. And no person is education it is an evidence that it fit to act as a public teacher, to be is simply the enunciation of a civipaid out of the public funds, who lized savage, one whose malicious indulges in attacks upon religion or nature is in conflict with his intelany form of it. lectual enlightenment. And the Indians could say with much more force in reference to that class, that the only good white men who possess such brutal instincts are dead ones. own the We never see the common ex pression favoring the annihilation of the aborigines of this country without being inspired with a feeling of shame and indignation. He who utters it with a full sense of its purport is a heartless monster. He may be intellectually advanced, but is morally decrepit and made of such material as constitutes tyrants. It is a pleasure to note the fact that the horrible sentiment exhibited by the oft repeated saying "The only good Indian is a dead Indian”—is meeting with wide and unsparing denunciation from numerous sources and directions. ASSOCIATED PRESS RUBBISH. Our dispatches bring word nearly every day about some Salt Lake man who has gone East, having delivered himself of anti-Mormon sentiments to a newspaper reporter. The Associated Press people appear to think these "chestnuts" very palatable to the public, while in fact they have become so common that they might be stereotyped, if it were worth while and reading people cared for the speculative and un We are numbered among those who believe it would be better for the children of the Latter-day Saints to be educated in their faith from their earliest childhood. But we would not have the children of The oft-used expression quoted remembers of other churches comgarding aborigines simply pelled to receive tuition in the tenets means, according to the significance of our faith. Therefore if circum- of the English language, that the stances were utterer of it is an advocate of wholesuch that each denomination could provide schol-sale murder of helpless and ignorastic training for its ant human beings, and that it would juveniles, we believe it would be proper to exterminate them. This be the better plan for all. But is about as high a conception of the under the system Low in force this "march of civilization” as some peowould not be practicable. There-ple are capable of attaining to. In fore the small children should attend order to further the cause of en-reliable stuff. the district schools, and be drafted lightenment they would assassinate The staple idea now is that the when prepared into the higher the unenlightened, and leave those "Mormons" are still "rushing into or Church schools, and religious in- only who have reached a more or polygamy," that it is as "rampant struction should be provided for less advanced stage of development. as ever," and that the "declaration" them while in the district schools, A prominent Indian in the Dakota was "only a blind." We have no by other means, so that they may region, in conversation on the pres-respect for the miserable liars who not grow up in ignorance of the ent state of affairs, drew the atten- get their names put into print basic principles of spiritual education of a leading white man to the in this way, nor will we foster tion. fact that in many respects the In- their desire for notoriety by Under the common school system, dians were better than the whites, reproducing their words. They are however, we maintain that faith in having no brothels nor drinking working for a "Liberal" end, and Deity and an understanding of shops. their meanness and mendacity is moral principles, apart from all secIt is the high function and duty well understood here. Abroad they tarlan notions and denominational of the civilized to enlighten and de- will deceive but a few, and we do forms, may and ought to form a part velop the ignorant, not not believe they will effect the purof the every day tuition of the chil- them. If the same eagerness had pose designed, that is the disfrandren in the public schools, for been displayed in that direction to-chisement of the majority of Utah's while no church would suffer from ward the Indians as there has been it, society would be benefited in the moral and spiritual development that would be the natural conse quence. Atlanti, Ga., Dec. 26.-While attempting to arrest Bob Pruitt, a negro, in Gainesville last night, City Marshal Kittrell was shot dead. Policeman Lowry then shot and killed Pruitt. murder citizens, that the majority may gain control of the Territory and its Treasury. We think the Associated Press is in very small business to send over the wires the falsehoods of these unimportant persons, and that they would be doing much better to furnish the country with in robbing them of their lands, the BIRTHDAY. instrumental in the con ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROPHET'S of the nation into the shade. It emn warning is uttered respecting will be in the character of an inter-them, and the people to whom the necine war of surpassing horror, words refer are admonished to beware TODAY, December 23rd, is the auwhich will virtually cause niversary of the birth of Joseph struggle of the Rebellion to go into "which shall be among you." Thus when they see such combinations, Smith, the founder, under God, of forgetfulness, He draws attention what the scientific prophet points to the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- to its causes-the anger of the mas- as indicative of the approach of a ter-day Saints. The development ses against the combinations of capi- great civil strife in this country, was of the religious community he was tal for purposes connected with the clearly portrayed as future establishing has rapid accumulation of wealth, and ditions, through the great religious been phenomenal, and their history the resisting power of labor organ- prophet of the nineteenth century. constitutes one of the marvels of the ized into counter-combines, the ex- Not only did the latter foretell the age. The Prophet Joseph was a tremes of wealth and poverty, which approaching struggle as within the great character, for even aside from the people will not tolerate. He limits of the present generation, religious considerations, no man of also cites the condition of the farm- when "every man's hand should be ordinary calibre could wield an iners through large sections of the against his neighbor," but that the fluence so potent as he has done. It country and the wrath betrayed by Elders of the Church of Jesus is exhibited not only in leading so their incendiary language; he does Christ of Latter-day Saints, many thousands of people to adopt not omit to speak of the discordant when the fate of the nation should the views and principles he enun- condition of religious elements, and seen to hang by a thread, would ciated, but in the opposition which the probability of a the mention of his name usually forming a portion of the approach- with the aid of the upright and race conflict lift the standard of freedom and, arouses everywhere outside of those ing struggle. Finally the professor patriotic citizens of the land, re who believe in the divine character of his mission. It is equal to the antagonism that was awakened by allusion to the nature and mission of Christ in the early ages, during the first century of the spread of Christianity. says: "It will be a labor and capital war intermingled with a religious element of discord and with a mixture of the powerful negro element confronting race question, from the presence of a Caucasian negrophobia." Joseph Smith not only predicted such a situation over half a century ago, as among the situations that would exist within the limits of the generation living while he uttered the prophetic words, but pointed out the same causes as those to which the scientific predicter points, without being aided by their existence. Those causes themselves were a part of what was foretold by the Prophet. The following, delivered in 1831, has reference to the combinations that would be formed as introductory to a social cataclysm: Was he really a prophet with a divine mission? This is an important question, affecting the hosts of men everywhere. To our view, no man ever entitled to be so designated has ever given greater proofs of the genuine character of his claim in that regard. The evidences exist everywhere and assume every conceivable shape. Even scientists are unwittingly testifying to the valid character of his prophetic power. This, for instance, has been strikingly exemplified by Professor Jos. Rhodes Buchanan, of Boston, a noted acientist, who claims to be able to predict future occurrences of great moment by a scientific process, known as periodi-be converted to flee to the west, and city. The manner in which he sustains the claim to inspiration put forth by Joseph Smith is that the Professor in almost every instance Doctrine and Covenants, page 174.- this in consequence of that which is combinations." Again, the Prophet Nephi, in the does no more than parallel with Book of Mormon, page 122, says, rehis predictions the prophetic utter-gar ling our times: "For the time speedily cometh, that the Lord shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked shall He destroy." establish the country on a constitutional basis, and bring order out of social chaos. Boston scientist is a correct preOne thing is clear-if the learned dicter of future events by a scientiffc process, then Joseph Smith is a true prophet from a religious standpoint. In this regard, taking the Book of Mormon predictions, science is over 1400 years behind revelation, while those directly enunciated by Joseph Smith make the relative distance between from 50 to 70 years. There are other predictions by the distinguished professor that are still more striking as parallels to the prophesies of Joseph Smith than that which refers to what he claims shall be one of the greatest and most sanguinary social struggles in the history of the world, and if they be taken as correct, they all, in their line, bear witness that a great prophet was raised up in this Latiou, who sealed his testimony with his blood. He was born eighty-five years ago today, and was martyred in cold blood at Carthage, Illinois, on June 27th, 1844. A STANDARD PUBLICATION. ances of the founder of the "Mormon" Church, made over a half a century previous, in relation to ocIn our advertising columns will currences that were to take place The same work-the record of the be found a notice to agents, that before the generation in which they ancient inhabitants of this continent cash subscriptions for the Millennial were uttered had entirely died off. -speaking through the Prophet Star should be sent to James Jack, This parallelism is exhibited in an Moroni, regarding the people in this at the President's Office in this city. article, heretofore alluded to in the land in our day, tells of the terrible The Millennial Star is the oldest NEWS, written by Professor consequences of the organization Church publication now issued. It Buchanan in May, 1890, and pub and operations of "combinations to has been a standard magazine from lished in a leading magazine, the obtain power and gain." They are the first day of its publication. The Arena, in August last. He pre-described on page 588, and are early volumes are now worth a dicts that the United States is ap fenounced as destructive of great deal. They are valued for proaching a climax in affairs that the liberty of all people the excellent articles as well as the will throw all events in the history among whom they exist, _A so historical data they contain. The Star has matutained its character of a bearer of light up to the present time. It is still a very valuable periodical and well worthy to be sustained by the Saints. Although it is published in Liverpool, it is of worth to the people here, because the progress of the werk of God in Europe and other parts of the world abroad is chronic led upon its pages, and argumentative articles are also published therein which furnish good food for thought and potent arguments in favor of the right. A suitable present to many friends from the old world, during the present festive season, would be a receipt for a year's subscription to the Millennial Star. We recommend this excellent periodical to all who take an interest in the dealings of the Lord with the nations of the earth. Clemens, a German author of somewhat independent tendency, in his "History of Rabbi Jesus," says: "To celebrate Christmas on the 25th dently for no other purpose than in The same author finds, according Anybody acquainted with the customs of the Holy Land will understand that the 25th of December could not have been the birthday of our Lord. For the biographer states that there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their herds by night. The The place of the nativity of Jesus, Bethlehem, was a long time one of comparative insignificance, "little among the thousands of Judah " But it was the place of the nativity of David as well as some of the most celebrated generals that led Israel on to victory. Rehobeam had fortified the place, but it fell with the rest of Judea into the hands of the Babylonians. After the return from the captivity. about 123 souls started a new colony at Bethlehem, which has since then with the rest of the cities of Palestine, had a varied experience. The city is built on two hills, about four hours' drive south of Jerusalem. It is surrounded by fertile fields and gardens. On the north side a splendid view is obtained over a valley called Wadi-el-Charoob, which with its vine, fig trees, almond trees and olive trees present to the eye a very pleasing landscape. There are at present about 8,000 inhabitants most of whom belong to the Catholic Church. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. "Ir came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Cæsar Augus-nativity must, therefor, have taken tus that the whole land should be en- place during a time of the year when In the east part of the city, there rolled for taxation. And this enrol- this was necessary or possible. But is quite an extensive subterranean ment took place before Cyrenius was governor over Syria. And everybody in the month of December, when cave, over which a church of very went to be enrolled, each in his own the rain pours down in torrents, al ancient date, has been erected. city. And Joseph went up from Gali- most incessantly, the shepherds According to a tradition which can lee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem keep their flocks in the field only a be traced back to the second century, [because he was from the house and few hours during the daytime, this cave is the stable, where the lineage of David], in order to be en-sometimes not more than four or Savior was born. The church has rolled together with his wife Maria, who was with child. And it happened five hours. Both the shepherds and often been destroyed and again rewhile they were there, that the days the animals are too glad, after several stored, and the venerable building were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her hours exposure to the rain, to find presents at present a rather bizarre first-born son and wrapped him in some shelter before the night. This appearance with fractions of beautiswaddling-clothes and laid him in a circumstance alone is sufficient ful sculptures, mended with rough manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." proof that the birth of Jesus occurred | additions of lime and mortar. The In these words which the writer at some more congenial time of the very entrance is a parody on archihas translated from the original year, than December. tecture, the space under the once Greek, Luke, who had diligently Greswell, who has given this sub-gracefully arched portal being filled ject much attention, fixes the date out with rubbish, till only a very enquired about the "things that are most surely believed among us," as the 10th day of the Jewish month low and narrow opening remains. describes the birth of our Savior, Nisan; which, he says, in the year It is asserted that it has been neces giving the time, place and circum-4 before our era, or the year 750 of sary to so disfigure the ancient stances of this event, one of the Rome, would be on Saturday, April building in order to prevent the most important in the history of the the 5th. At this time the pasturage Turks from riding into it on horseis abundant and the air is pleasant. back. The angels who heralded the coming of the King of kings with celestial melodies would never find watching shepherds in the field prepared to receive the tidings of joy. human race. The precise date, it will be observed, is not given by the inspired author. Probably it was made known to him. It is only in later years that the attempts at discovering the date of the birth of Greswell, however, seems to have Jesus have been successful, to some overlooked that the great event took extent, through minute researches. place in the night. The Sabbath It has been tolerably well estab-expired at sunset and the night follished that the year of His birth lowing was really Sunday the 6th was four years before the com- of April. mencement of our era, or in the That day, and no other, it seems year 3756 after the creation, according to the Jewish chronology, so that the present year, consequently, should be designated as 1894, A. D. But the day has been more difficult ascertain. But, whatever the cause of the disfiguring of the old building may be, it stands there a fit representation of the change which Christianity has suffered from the hands of men during the centuries that have elapsed since the birth of Christ. The entrance to the cave is on the east side of the church, one flight of stairs leading from each side of the high altar. The cave itself has been covered with marble, and, in a rather small half-round cavity is to be seen a silver star in to us, should be fixed upon as the silver lamps spread a magical glare day and night. The star is surrounded with the following inscrip members of the press the informa- This, we believe, is all there is at the bottom of the rumors and speculations which are being indulged in concerning a "Mormon" hegira. We know of no negotiations or contemplated movement of the "Mormons" to Mexico or elsewhere. Utah is good enough for us. AS TO THE RED MAN. AMONG the most sensible explanations we have seen regarding the causes of dissatisfaction among the Indians, appeared lately in the St. Paul Press. Being pertinent in its relationship to a current subject of unusual interest, we herewith present it: as Of all "If the gentlemen at Washington who are debating the question are really anxious to learn wherein the present Indian outbreak, aside from Government is mostly at fault for the its abominable policy of permitting the bearing of arms, they should look applied in the Indian Bureau. to the infamous spoils system the mistakes with which our miserlished, there is none more inexcusable able Indian policy is so fully embelthan that which puts in charge of the most important agencies in the more secure than that of the party to country men whose tenure of office is w ich they belong. To see the spoils system at work, full blast, in the In dian bureau, and then find intelligent men wondering why the Indians are not under better control, is a thing to make men almost despair of the Government under which they live. No And one can deal satisfactorily with It is beyond the scope of this article to inquire into the authenticity of this tradition. It has already The railroad building talents of been mentioned that it can be traced this gentleman are well known, as back as far as to the second century, his successes in this line have been but no farther. Who first originated numerous. We understand that he it and on what grounds, is not received a request, some time ago, known. Caves were often used for to take the contract for building a stables, particularly when the inns railway in Mexico and that he has were crowded, and it is not imposs-about determined to accept the offer. ible that this one could have been It is probable that this project will used by Joseph and Mary at the throw open to settlement a large time mentioned. The question is area of land which would offer a of little importance compared with fine field for colonization. the great fact that the Savior came in fulfilment of the promises given. The circumstances under which Christ was born deserve to be carefully studied not only by His follow. ers, His people, but by the whole world. If they teach anything at all, they direct men to despise all such distinctions "our friends the enemy" who the Indian except upon a good underas are founded standing of the Indian character. on "rauk," would like nothing better than a This untutored savage is not a bit of birth and riches, and which are wholesale clearing out of the people plastic material that we can mould to generally so highly esteemed among who made this Territory, need noted atributes of unnumbered years suit our purpose. He has the inheritthe thoughtless. They teach that hug to themselves the delusion that true dignity and real nobility are we are going to vacate in their possible in the humblest stations of favor. life. For Jesus could. no doubt, As to Mr. Young's projects, they have assumed human nature in an are his own. They are not Church imperial palace as well as in a stable, measures. They belong to his prihad this been consistent with the vate business. He is full of enterplans of the Eternal Father. He prise and has done a great deal tomight have had a queen for His wards the development of this inmother, instead of an obscure, poor ter-mountain region. But this has maid from a country village. But been done personally, not by or such was not the plan. He came under the Church or its direc under the most humble circumstan- tion. His vim, confidence and ces, yet with power to, finally, be-go-a-head determination have been come the ruler of the earth. the motive power, with such capital In the circumstances connected as he could invest or procure. It with this birth, we clearly see that will be the same with the Mexican a human being may be poor, and of movement. The Church is not low estate, and yet be clothed with connected with it in any way. divine authority. Will the We hope it will succeed. It will world learn this lesson and be a good thing for that country. apply it to the work of God And as it may open the way for in these last days? For history has colonists from crowded parts of the again been repeated. And as sure United States it will be a benefit to as Christ, who was once a poor, this country. With the experience, helpless child in Bethlehem, shall indomitable will and untiring perse rule this whole earth, as sure will verence he will bring to bear, we His faithful servants, his messengers can see no reason why it should not and Apostles, both of ancient and be a grand success. But this will modern times. be crowned with have no connection with "MorHim in millennial and celestial mon" affairs beyond the fact that glory. THE "MORMONS" AND MEXICO. Mr. Young is a "Mormon," the son FROM dispatches which have came over the wires during the last A LADY had her pocket picked to two or three days, we learn that the the tune of $13 ou Christmas night, idea is being revived in the East of i while leaving the Theatre, behind him. Childlike in some par- avoided in numberless cases. And "Consider, now, the atrocious folly of our practical politics. Here is an agency, where many thousand Indians are gathered, where an agent who knows his duty and does it has been established for many years, and where the Indians have come to like him and |