EDITORIALS We stand for the constitution of the United St'ates with its three departments of government as therein set forth, each one fully independent in its own field Salt Lake City, Utah The Deseret News Tuesday, August 23, 1949 Brigham Youngs Statue UNDER THIS HEAD, the Washington Star devoted a Sunday editorial recently to the installation of Mahonri Youngs fine marble statue of his grandfather in Statuary Hall at the national Capitol. The accompanying comment regarding Utahs founder, both favorable and adverse, is of more than passing Interest. After outlining briefly Brigham Youngs early religious and missionary experiences, the Star sums up his Utah career with this fine tribute. Under his management an empire was created. Young forced the desert to blossom not merely in farms but quite as notably in terms of a new co operative society and a new culture. Much of his achievement was uncomprehended by outsiders, much of it even now is not clearly understood by the world at large. But every visitor to Utah sees the results of his labors in cities, towns and villages obviously prosperous and progressive. The Dictionary of American Biography speaks of him as perhaps the foremost social pragmatist of Ms time. Then follows a comment that is startling. To those of us who have known men who worked personally with Brigham Young and who have testified urgently and repeatedly as to his deep and fervent devotion to the Church, and to those of us who have read his talks and recognized in them the powerful religious spirit that underlay all his advice and commands, it seems strange to read. Religious philosophy as such did not concern him. Stressing the practical realization of Mormon ideals, he dictated routines and techniques down to such small details as dish washing. His rule was tyrannical in the extreme. He knew nothing of and cared nothing for individual liberty. His twenty seven wives and fifty six children were slaves in effect. Possibly that was the reason why he had no successor of outstanding capacity who could boast his own blood. So much for the fallacy of trying to interpret a religious leader without due comprehension of his religious background and motivation! But even in the face of this strange misconception, the Star editorial concludes. Despite his faults and his disappointments, however, he left a permanent and definitely a constructive mark upon this continent. No other representative of Utah could be preferred for the Hall of Statuary in the National Capital. While we regret the misunderstanding that led to his designation as a tyrant and slave driver, nevertheless we appreciate the tribute published by the Star, and its recognition of Brigham Youngs work as one of unquestionable historic accomplishment.