The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-27
tn E NOR NJ Q N S.
PCLYGAMY AMONG THE SAINTS.
TERRIBLE ACCUS ATIONS.
Extraordinary Defence Of Elder Grant, Mayor OF
Salt Lake City.

Tho following extracts from a letter dated "Great
Salt Lake City, Utah territory, February ., 1852"
20 to confirm the official report of the United States
Judges lately returned from that country, with re-
gard to the existence If polygamy among the Nor
mons and their reasonable and seditious entments
against the general government =
"The Legislature is now in session. although the
term allowed by law has expired some time since.
They ure waiting, it is thought, for the news from
the States, as they expect seme rigid measures by
the government. Should it be 50, they will then
adopt such a course as will enable them to defend
resist her authority to the extent of their power
and means Many boldly say that they have fled
for the last time--that they will die here. Tho pro-
ceedings of the Legislature, in general, present Il
scene more resembling an EXCITED town meeting than
deliberatge body-they have neither system nor
order. Ali who feel an interest in any measure be-
fore the House. whether members or not, are al
lowed to participate in the debates. Judge Snow,
Mormon, is a frequent speaker The Governor
makes it his business to direct him what to do, ON
oil occasions, when they are divided. However
much the House may disagree any subject it is only
necessary for his opinion TO be KNOWN and theysre all
unanimous; and as none will dare disobcy him, of
course his will becomes the law. The members were,
IL fact, appointed by him, he selected the man to
be voted ior in each county or district, and he was
elected by the voters without opposition. There
u debate in the House in relation to tho dispo-
sition which should be made of the per diem allow
ance Of the members 1t seemed that it was con-
., sidered a church fund. Some were in favor of
placing il into the tthing Office, church store, to
enable to purchase new supply of goods; others
were for giving it to n Mr.. Williams. Mormon
merchant, to enable him to purchase his spring sup
ply OF goods. Mr. Williams, although he was not
member, participated in the debate with as much
zeal, and seemed 10 EXERCISE as many privileges rs
any member of the House. The members were
much divided, and the Governor rose he said, to
pa st 70 TO the debate and settle the matter for
u n. In the course of his remarks, he logged in
The enera government Judge Brocchus, and Sec
III and in his cuusJp and elpvant stvla
sac THAT Judge Brocchus and Secretary Harris
cam her, he representatives Of a poor damned,
con- ApGb'e, Iostgp government; and that they,
poor. am lcd, drunken curses, thQnght 70 lead the
80 erll.e.t of Utah MS they would Il - by the
tail, with much abuse Of u similar character not
>recoilectcd.
Upon another occasion, while addressing a largo
collection Cd bis people. men and women, 1 cannot
call them ladies and gentcmen), no seemed to be
much displeased with Of the women for APP
penrpg: or affecting 10 show u little modesty.
He ri uked them with the most indecent express
sons, which it would not be seemly either to write
orprint.
all occasous-hc seldom breaches sermon or add
dresses his people uponaDy subject but he winds up
with the most vulgar and abusive epiticts against
the general government. / could give you instance
upon instance, when, in addressing his people, in
what he calls preaching, he used similar vulgar lam
guage. Yet he is looked upon by his people as
something heavenly, aid obeycd in his every wish.
He has about fifty wives. A few days since a
member of his church wished to marry his own
sister, and applied TO Governor Young for permission
to do so, aud to perform the ceremony. All who
marry have first to consult him and get his permits
sion. The Governor requested that he would send
his sister to him, and let him talk to her upon the
subject he would then advise him to act She was
sent accordingly; the Governor found her young
and likely, married her himself, and after keeping
her in his house that night, sent her home to her
brother in the morning. The Governors lawful
wife, upon visit ut our boarding house few days
afterwards, laughed and talked of the circumstance
as smart thing III the Governor, and approved his
conduct throughout. This is the woman so much
huded by Mr. Kane for her virtues and lady like
conduct.
/ have heard it said on good authority that the
Moimons intend to form an alliance with the Indians
ard excite them against the government, for the
purpose Of resisting her authority; and that they
-~ele now preparing for conflict This report seems
to be sustained by the fact that the governor and
the Mormon ub-agont, $ b. Rose, with interpreters
take frequent excursions, with presents, &C.
In relation to the wife system. will begin wit
B CHAM. He, as have before stated, has abou
fflS-among them two sisters. Heber c. Kembl
ard William Richards, also have harems of women,
from ten to thirty In fact all the leading men in
the Mormon church have from two TO ten. There
are several instances here where men have married
widows, who have daughters, and now have the
mother and daughter both as wives. Heber c, KEN
bic has the mother and daughter; A. NJ Turpn has
mother and daughter; g. Il. Bolton has mother and
daughter; also John Taylor. In fact all tho head
family with but one wife, than to one from two
to ten. Yet their preachers, the country, deny
it in The most positive terms.
To look at Mormonism as it is in this valley, one
would think that if there any system in the
wide world that has been gotten up and propagated
by the devil, it is that of the people called Latter
Day Saints. JUSTICE.