1912-02-Improvement Era-A Mild and Wise Answer

Improvement Era, v15 n4, February 1912, p. 382.

A Mild and Wise Answer Turneth Away Wrath

Fremont, Ohio.

To "Collier's Weekly":

By official action today of the Colonel George Croghan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, membership one hundred, I am authorized to express to you the chapter's disapproval of your course in opening your columns to the "Mormon" cause. The "Mormon" religion, with its consequent polygamy should be suppressed. Sincerely yours,

OLGA SMITH WALTERS, Sec.

November 2, 1911.

Mrs. John F. Walters,

1028 Garrison Street, Fremont, Ohio.

My Dear Madam: I beg to acknowledge yours of the 30th, and regret the view taken by the chapter.

It is hardly necessary for us to say that we disapprove of polygamy, but your proposition that the "Mormon" "religion" should therefore be suppressed seems to us to reflect the view of those who have not studied "Mormonism" very closely. Polygamy is not only a minor part of the system, but it is a rapidly decreasing part. "Suppressing" a religion is a very delicate matter to undertake in a free country — though, of course, it is right and proper to suppress illegal acts, whether they are done in the guise of religion or not. '

Yours sincerely,

NORMAN HAPGOOD.

— "Collier's Weekly," Nov. 25.