Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-06-03
AtisfeIIaueoas.


The following communication 10 the Portland
Times, by gentleman who has been recently
among the Mormons of Utah, furnishes la
menlable, moral, picture of the customs and
principles of that half-heahen, halfnfdel peo-
pie, who, we predict, are destined yet to make
trouble in this country. Their very creed it.
self Is well calculated to draw into their CON-
munlty the worst part of society, and as they in
crease, as they doubtlessly will, under such an
Infamous social system, we may well look for
ward with sad foreboding to the floral and po-
lRlca evil that may arise out Of tker anomalous
establishment. The article is endorsed, as au-
thentic and reliable, by the Editor Of the Times
EDITOR TIMEs-SlR IL kne@ little about
the Mormons previous to my arrival among
them. Living at great dislsAce from the
theatre of their operations, all my knowledge
of them was derived from the testimony of 9TH
ers knew indeed that they were deL,sded-
but l thought them prosecuted people. was
disposed to censure the inhabitants of Missouri
and Illinois, for the part they took in driving
them out of their States Some of the people in
Vermillion, Ohio, will bear me record, that du-
ring the time ofthe great excitement, consequent
upon driving the Mormons from Nauvoo pub
f llcly declared my conviction that those meas
ures we're both impoitic and unjust, and that 10
Smith was truly murdered man. | make this
remark that the reader may understand that
did not go into the valley with my mind over
charged with prejudice against the Mormons--
that was neither an actor nor sympathizer with
those who drove them from Jackson county or
Nauvoo, or who imbued their hands in the blood
OF that prince of impostors-Jo Smith. A great
deal has been said in our part of the country
about their abominable practices, but believed
there was much eXaggeration, if not misrepre-
sentation. That these leaders were licentious,
| had no doubt, for it is in accordance with his
tory that such is the character OF all impostors.
But | also thought that TO their followers and 10
the world they would put on viruous garb,
and maintain outwardy the appearance of de-
cency at least. Such state of open unbush-
ing, beastly impurity and vileness as found to
actually exist among them, | had never dreamed
of, and did not suppose could possibly exist
among civilized beings. Although from my
earliest infarcy had been taught the doctrine
of human depravity, had never expected to
witness, on this earth, such glaring develop
ment of it.
think, sir, the apostle Paul tells US in some
OF his epistes speaking of certain works of
aas,'es , ,s,ieh are done Of teol ii set OF tnose
panl lived in the 10Th century, and Visited Sail
lake valley,he would haze omitted those words
in secret Yes sir, let 1t be known that
here. in christian America-in lapd Of Sab
baths and bibles, there exists large commun-
ity practicing deeds, openly, in the face of the
sun, VIII ch one cannot even speak of without
shame. Sir, know not how to pen this article.
} cannot tell the truth without shocking the
sensbties of your readers. Were to pen all
, which they unblushingly avow, you would never
c publish it in your paper; and if you should,
e one-hal of the families to which your paper is
: welcome visitor, would not permit il to be read.
It And yet the people Of these United States
n should know something Of the filth and slime of
that community, who are wanting to shine amid
= that glorious constellation of sovereign states
b which compose this Uniun-something of that
d fostering mass Of disease and death which is is.
o suing from that tomb of corruption, demanding
a reception into the bosom of our virtuous repub
y lie. SURPRISING some things, and con6ning my
II self to generalities, will try TO give the reader
II a faint idea Of their immoralties.
sUNDERING OF THE MARRIAGE RITES.
The marriage institution--an institution fran
y ed by Jehovah himself-an institution fraugh
. with infinite blessings to the human family
: blessings which keep the moral world in being
and secures it from an untmely and terrible
dissolution-the foundation of natural affections
and domestic ties-an institution, which, wheI
respected, elevaes man and woman to the high
est state Of social existence, but when trampIe,
in the dust, degrades them to all that is odious
brutal and savage. This Institution the Nor
> mons have tramped under foot, and in lis plac
have reared a system of concubinage OF as vii
90 a character as ever debased a ruined man an
woman, body and SOUL for tggss,Gnd eternity
:, The marriage contract, IN which the parties in
woke as witness tn great and blessed God,
" openly and shamefuy violated. These comet
bines they call SpirituaiS-nOt, suppose, froI
~ any peculiar grace or purity which they posses
- above other females, but because that whe
:, = they began to introduce this system of wicket
- ness, it was pretended that this connection wa
y, only Of spiritual character. But now the
y" are prepared to throw of all disguise, and ol
enly declare the true character OF their relation
aN Still the old name of spiritual is retained, ar
VI used with as much freedom, and is as much
% household word among them, as the word 10!
"a is among decent folks. These sP"7tttdts are t
Nv ken publicly, and when new one is added
a. the harem, ceremony is performed. VIII
So this ceremony is, did not learn. 1t blnt
ny however, the man to provide food and raime
'''- for the spirituaL, and her childIen, as long
'a' they shall remain his spirituols. The woma
70 however. can throw off the degrading condit
IA if she can wheedle any one to take her for
,"s wife. And the man can get rid of her, if h
uel can find any one to take her off his hands,a
10y 10y sumo her support. A case occurred in the ii
III mediate neighborhood Of where spent the wi
VI ter, where man of high standing, who h
' several spirituaIs, but one OF them, young "
ley, man of rather pleasing countenance carri
low rather too many guns for her lord to mama
ck and he hired another man, who had alrea
Ihy several spirituals, to toke her off his hands,
les, giving property valued at $500. These apil