Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-09-04
PoLYoAMY AMONG THF MoRMANs. &C

ba''o' Ddt SaiHtsi III VIC 'aIiey vi tHe tledt
Salt Lake." gives history of this denomi-
nation, and mentions great many OF their
singular manners ard customs. Their eus,or,
in regard to a plurality Of wives, is thus de-
scribed, in substance:
The doctrine and custom o, polygany has
been gradually introduced among the Nor
mons, and may now be regarded as charac-
teristic feature OF their social organization
1t was at first announced tha, the founder,
Joseph Smith, and those he thought faithful,
like the saints Of old, David, Solomon, and
Jacob, should be privileged to have as many
wives as they conld support, TO raise up a
holy household for the service of the Lord.
The privilege, such as it is, seems now 10
have become universal and TO ciaim the
sanction OF religions principle. II is thought
that the use and foundation of ma,rimnny is
TO raise up peculiar, holy people for the
Kingdom OF Christ on earth, and tha, at the
Millennium, the glory Of the man will be in
proportion 10 the size of his household Of
children, wives and servants None. how
ever, but those eligible TO the priesthood
have right to marry at all. The woman
that marries out of the priesthood marries for
hell. Marriage is 10 be pure and holy
state; prompted alone by religious motives
aud sense of duty; sensual motives being
held up as an abominaion. II is affirmed
that woman cannot enter into the kingdom
of heaven, without husband 10 introduce
heI as belonging 10 himself. The addition
OF wives after the first 10 mans family il
called "sealing TO him" This constitutes
a relation with all the rights and sanctions of
malrimony. The idea of an exclusive love
is derided. The Seer alone has the power
of allowing the number of wives to be in
creased; the suitor must obtain the consent
OF the parents, then of the lady, and finally
of the Seer. Every unmarried woman has
a right 10 demand man in marriage on the
ground Of the privilege OF salvation; the Pre-
sideni who receives the petition is bound TO
procure her husband he may command
any man be deems competent, 10 support
her, 10 add her TO the number of his wives I;
and unless he can show just impediment, if
he declines the union, he is punished for con-
tumacy. The Seer has also power 10 annul
the marriage contract, and dissolve the rela-
tionshp of the parties. In some instances,
several wives occupy the same house, but it
is more usual 10 board out the extra ones,
who are generally able 10 pay their way, by
sewing and other female employments.
The Mormons assert '',hat this system is
the preventive and cure for the awful licen.
tiousness-the moral and physical desrada-
ton in the world and they make i, both
religious and social custom, point of per-
sonal honor for man whose wife, daughter,
or sister has been led astray, to kill the ssdu-
Ger, and considering this as common noun
tain law based on the Mosaic code, a Jury
will acqut the murderer at all hazards
That the wives find the relation often lone
some and burdensome one, is certain though
usually the surface of society wears smiling
countenance, and TO all who consen, from q
sense OF duty or enthusiasm, the yoke is easy.
The wife of the prophet Joseph rebeed
against il, and declared if he persisted she
would desert for another; but The only salts
faction she received was shat a prophet
must obey the Lord When such wives re-
bel, the proceedings are very summary, and
public opinion suslains the cause against the
woman A very exemplary lady in the val.
ley is looked upon as having broken her VOWS
for deserving the Sealed one' and marrying
another, and therefore is not invited into so.
cial parties"
"Anoiher method of increasing the house
hold and adding TO the glory OF the chiefs i,
by "adoption." This consists in taking whole
families and adopting them as part and parce
of The family of the chief, and arise on, o
the humility Of the person so proposing to a,
tach himself TO he sacred character of some
great dignitary of the Church. The man j.
called, for instance, "Son Of Brigham By
adoption" and lives with him, or near by
and acts for him as child does for his par
en,, and receives his subsistence, cloihing'
and living conjointly with the family"
With the prevalence of pOlysamy, woman,
of course, is placed in position OF relative
inierioi,y The Difference 10 female excel
lence. which marks refined state OF society,
is slismarised by the MoTmOns as "Gen'Ie
callap,ry and fashion" To give the post OF
, honor or of comfort 10 the lady, IN The code
of nLa,rer. Day" etiquette is reckoned an alb
sprdity # there is but one seat, II belongs
! or right to the gentleman, who Is bound to
lead the way, and let the Mormon dame en-
Tar the house or room behind him.
GENTLE HIYr.-'Your hand annoys me
exceedingly" said the Prince of La Roche
suryon, 10 a laxative person who was sitting
near him at dinner, and who was constantly
sui,ing the action OF the word. "lndeed, my
lord :" replied the gabbler Owe are so crowd
ed at the table, that do not know where to
put my hand" "Put it in your mouth" said
the Prince.
SOME "rising genius" in the Hartford Re-
view, after cudgelling his poor brains for four
days and nights ''got of'' the following;
sLone is the morn that brings no eve tall