GOODWIN'S WEEKLY 3 M
j(mK Goodwins UJe?lis I
" y HE superb patriotic spirit mani-
i C jjffj) fested by the Latter Day Saints at
Vjfflffflf their semi-annual conclave was more
" mmEKw than surprising it bordered on the
I MPffB sensational. Our churches as a rule are
JmaBy somewhat chary about going on record
in support of the country's war policies,
and when they do, they usually confine themselves to the adoption of
a stereotyped resolution. The dominant church in this state never
does things by halves, however, and the resolution it adopted was of
a more substantial order. In proposing that the church invest a quar
ter of a million dollars of its tithing funds in the Second Liberty Bond
issue, the authorities set a splendid example for the laymen to follow.
It was to the effect that they had firmly resolved to not only preach
patriotism, but to practice it; and it will redound to the everlasting
credit of the church that not a single soul dissented when the sustain
ing motion was put.
This splendid demonstration of allegiance to the country in time
of need commends itself to all citizens, regardless of class or creed.
It will substantially assist the state to meet its quota of subscriptions
to the loan and it will encourage thousands of individuals to make
a similar investment in the government securities. But in a larger
sense, the moral effect of this action is immeasurable. Its influence
will be far reaching and should forever silence the vicious tongues
of Utah's traducers. Since the war began, the good people of the
state have shown their true spirit time and again. We have long
looked for. the day when Utali would come out of the crucible, chas
tened in. a common sacrifice and glorified in the splendor of her own
achievements. That day has come and all loyal Utahns now find
comfort in the contemplation of the manifest destiny of their incom
parable commonwealth. .
3 3fC ?fr 5JC
UTAH TO THE FRONT.
"tflLENCE is sometimes eloquent. It was never more, so than
Jy when the boys of the Utah Light Artillery marched through
the streets on their way to entrain for the first lap on the long jour
ney to the battle-front in France. To witness their departure was to
experience a strange admixture of emotions. The solemnity of the
occasion was impressive. There might have been more cheering had
the serious-thinking citizens not been so occupied in choking back
their sobs. Even the boys, themselves, seemed to be marching in
double-quick time, as though they desired to get the affair over with
as soon as possible. They must have known that in their wake they
were leaving a trail of heartaches. So it was that tears took the place
of cheers and the departure of the battery was all the more impressive
because of the heavy silence that hung over the thousands along the
line of march.
There is no need of assuring the boys that our cheers were re
served for the day God speed it when they will come marching
home again, glorified by deeds of daring and devotion to the cause
that their country champions. They looked fit to carry the colors
wherever duty calls and our faith in them is supreme. Utah has a
well-established reputation for furnishing first class fighting men ; the
artillery is well officered by men. who command the confidence of the
civilians, as well as the soldiers; and they will surely live up to our
high, expectations and make a record that will glorify the name of
Utah for all time. We are proud of them ; we have pinned our faith
to them ; and our united prayers will follow the boys of the battery
the world around..
A BRITISHER'S VIEW POINT. H
HORD NORTHCLIFFE has been somewhat of a disappointment
to us, ever since his arrival in this country in the role of Eng- H
land's emissary extraordinary. After his splendid achievement in up-
setting the ultra-conventional customs of the Empire, and in arous-
ing every Englishman to a full sense of his duty, it was only natural
that we should expect big things of the intrepid Britisher when he
landed on American soil. So far, however, he has fallen far short of
our expectations. H
It was generally supposed that Northcliffe came here to give us H
the benefit of the observations he had made and the experience lie had H
gained first hand in the actual prosecution of the war. The assump- H
tion was that he was to assist us in waging the war, but thus far his H
chief efforts seem to have been devoted to telling us why we are jn k
the war. In a recent utterance, published in a current magazine, his H
lordship takes plain issue with President Wilson and scoffs at the idea H
that we have gone to war to "make the world safe for democracy." H
The Britisher is of the opinion that, if this were our sole reason for H
engaging in the awful conflict, we would have promptly followed M
England's suit and declared war against Germany at least three years M
ago. H
Moreover, he ventures to infer that we are not altogether honest M
in out attitude; that our declarations are more or less hypocritical; M
and that the real reason we have gone to war is to save our own hides. M
That ought to make interesting reading in England, and it may be fl
fairly well grounded on facts, at that; but serious-minded Americans H
do not relish the idea of being reminded that their only reason for M
waginp war is based on a selfish premise. Such a reminder does .no H
one a ty good and simply tends to rub the fur the wrong way. M
This is no time to split hairs over such a silly subject. We are H
surprised that one so adroit as Lord Northcliffe has demonstrated M
himself to be on more than one occasion, should so far forget himself H
as to raise an issue of this sort. Whatever our reason for going to M
war, the fact remains that we are now in it up to our ears and pro- H
pose to see it through. And the celebrated Britisher, in company with H
all his countrymen, should find some satisfaction in the thought that H
we cannot, by force of circumstances, accomplish this selfish object H
without rendering them substantial assistance in a similar enter- H
prise. H
This war has developed into a community affair. There is much H
that we can do for England, and there is much that England has al- H
ready done, and will no doubt continue to do for us. Hence, as a mere H
matter of reciprocity, each country is entitled to its own opinion as H
to why it is waging war, and it would seem that the other is in honor H
bound to respect such opinion. As we view it, Lord Northcliffe owes H
President Wilson and the American people an apology. w H
H
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
SECRETARY LANE made a splendid impression during his visit
with us last week. Unlike most of the present day dignitaries,
his"" casual manner and old-fashioned attributes would seem at first
blush to make him as common as an old shoe. But there is something
about the man that appeals to one's better self. He attracts men to
him as if by natural impulse and his kindly counsels carry strong
conviction. To meet him is to feel that one is standing in the presence
of a real American one whose qualities combine a rare' mixture Qf
sentiment and sound sense who still holds true to the traditions
of the Republic. It is a real privilege to come in contact with- such
a man and we can readily understand why President Wilson has -re-