The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-07-04
THE MORMONS.

A volume has been lately published, emit
tied Utah and the Mormons," by Benjamin
G.. Ferris, late Secretary of Utah Territory
Mr.. Ferris gives full history of the rise and
progress of the Mormon sect, and of the
doctrines and practice of that interesting
class of mortals. Joe Smith, in the opinion
of the writer, had not sufficient capacity for
the leader of new sect. He was eminently
suited for the head of mock auction estab-
lishment. But he had no power to keep TO-
gether the fools and rogues whom circum-
stances had at first enabled him to assemble
His death is considered by Mr. Ferris lucky
event for the community. Brigham Young,
who was president of the Twelve" made
push for the leadership, and was successful
over Sidney Rigdon, Joe Smiths earliest CON
federate. Young is described as a master
mind, a sagacious bad, bold man." Know
ing that Western and Mormon life could new
er assimilate he formed the plan of esta blish-
ing an Independent State beyond the Rocky
Mountains. The Mormon believers through
out the whole world were summoned to the
new home of their sect. The manner in
which the movement of the Mormons to their
promised land" was conducted, is said to
have evinced great forecast and prudence.
1t was in Utah that the polygamy feature
of the sect was first boldly avowed. Mr..
Ferris states that Polygamy was no part of
the original scheme of Joe Smith. His
stolen book of Mormon denounces the old
patriarchs for their crimes in this respect
But as he gathered around him gang of fe
male dupes, he gave full sway to his passions
and to justify his excuses, put forth his new
revelation on the subject of marriage. This
was among the later acts of his life. It was
received on the 10th of July, 1s43, only
twelve months before his death Although
practically received by the leaders of the
Church, almost without exception, it remain.
ed for more than nine years an esoteric doc
trine, having been first publicly proclaimed
by Orson Pratt, in August, 1852, and printed
in an extra Deseret Meas, fortnight later E"
This document denounces damnation against
all who shall not receive the new doctrines.
and lays down the law in full regulating the
Mormon system of adultery Some of the
practical workings of the system NAV be
seen by the following extract:
"Polygamy," says Mr. Ferris. ais iptroducina. nsvv
style OF building at Salt Lake City A man with half
dozen wives builds, if he can long low 6welIins
having six entrancies from the outside: and when s
lakes new wife, if able do So adds apo,ber sns,f
ment The object 10 to keep the women and hshias
much a. possible, apart and prevent tbose tsrrihIs
cat-hghts which sometimes occur with ali tba 81
compartments OF Billinssgate torn csps and brokan
oroom-sticks As the divine institution, aytanSs
these buildings incresse and in few wears the sit,
WIZ look ike collection of barracks for the rccor
niodsron OF soldiers Some have separate bnIS,na.
Ia paris Of the city remote from each othsr sps
others have farm houses and the wives ays ,has
them alp ''e pse"esn
Their y stem Of plurality has obliteratea nss,lv
al sense OF oece ncy, and would eem to be fast
ioe 20 an intercourse open and promiscuou. az III
catlc IN the heids A man living In common WITH
ooxsn outy Aaps whether he calls them wives or
coucuones Sabnot nave very nice sense of pronris
Ior tn Umeuit 10 give . true account nj tbs .s
fecn which nave resulted from this cause. and AZ
the same time, preserve decency Of lanens.s Tsa
Saints are progressive. Last year uSSS -. Aao
ousy discussed the subject of introducinp -
der into the Church, by which the wiyes Of h.s o.
missionaries might be sealed to Saints left MT L
There are number of cases In which man ha. az
. widow and her daughter for wives at the sam
time One has widow and her two daurhters -
There also instances Of the niece being sealed "a
the wn<te and they excite attention then any
crdinr ~ case. How far the pssue-spot is to spread
In this direction remsins 70 scen. Brigham Youne
stated In the pulpit In 1851 that the time might CONS
when, for the sake Of keeping the lineage Of the