The Shasta courier., 1854-09-09
Utah and the AOrmsns.

Mr.. Ferris, the author OF a new work entitled
Utah and the Mormons.' was appointed Sec
retary of Utah Territory in 1852, and resided III
the Valley of the great Salt Lake for about SIX
months He is therefore fully competent 10
speak intelligently of the results OF their pecu-
liar institutions From the N. Y. Tribune we
copy the following epitome of his views relative
to the working and results of the institution oi
polygamy
Polygamy is firmly established among the
Mormon community. One-fourth of the aduit
male population number from two tofliiy wives
each, as part of their domestic arrangements
The priesthood have the largest ikarems ahe
custom would be still more universal but Tor
the scarcity OF women, and the want OF means 10
support them. la 1851, there wero GAG more
males than females in the territory, and subse-
quent emigratious have probably not done much
t. change the proportion. Hence 1t follows,
that where The chief bashaws have from ten to
fifty wives the unprivileged classes cannot com
mand even one. The effect upon population Is
deleterious Comparatively few children are
born, aud these are subject to friShttul degree
of sickness and mortality. Both wives and chill
dren suffer greatly from neglect. less care being
taken of them than would be given by thrifty
New York farmer to his cattle. Out OF the Five
Points, it would be hard to scare up "A more fill
thy, miserable, disorderly rabble of children,
than can be found in the streets of the Great Salt
Lake City. The system of plurality has nearly
obitera,ed all sense OF decency.
THE hgh-priest dignitaries of the church are
exceedingly skillful in procuring young girls
for wives They ncucate the idea that elderly
membes who have been tried and found faithful,
are surer instruments OF salvation than the
young, who may apOstatlze; and as marriage to
one who remains steadfast to the end is essen
tial to escape from the fate of being mere angels
great many young women are fooled into this
bubbling and seethug caldron OF prostitution.
Elder Wilford Woodruff, one of the twelve apos-
ties, has regular system OF changing his harem.
He takes in one more young girls, and 50
manages, after he tires of them that they
glad to ask for divorce; after which he beats
the bush for recruits He took a fresh one.
about IA years old, in March, 1853, and will
probably get rid of her i'll the course OF the en-
suing summer. These maneuvers are practced
more or less by the whole gang the girls dis
carded by one become sealed TO others. and 80
travel the entire rounds; and when they accom-
plish the whole circuit and are ready TO start
anew they have profoundly realizing sense
of female modesty, to say nothing of some OF its
adjuncts."
ne erect OF lne plurality system is HlOSt se-
verely felt by the first or real wife. In Utah
she can seldom live out half her days. In tami-
lies, where polygamy has not been introduced,
she is the victim of constant apprehension and
fear. The expression of her countenance even,
tells the story of her sutferings. She has sad,
downcast, complaining look; is often the victim
of premature old age; and many sink into all
early grave under IN intolerable weight of at
Fiction. The husband, upon setting up ha-
rem, always becomes neglectful of his wife, and
in most cases abuses her. All union of affection
and interest is destroyed. The wife has no lon
GER a motive to labor and economist for the
family, when she finds one more intruders to
share the benefit of her exertlons. The rivals,
for similar reason, feel no interest and make
no effort The wife hates them for interfering
with her comforts and estrangins her husband;
they. IN turn. hate the wife and each other. and
the children of each other. The husband hates
the wife on whose affections he has trampled
he hates the rivals, Of whom he tires, when
fresh one is introduced; and the children hale
each other as bitterly band of young tiger
cats 1t is hate aud strife and wretchedness
through the whole family circle. The observa-
ton of Mr.. Ferris i'll regard to the practical ei-
feet of poygamy thus confirms the theoretical
conclusion as to the evils which such system
Of female slavery is adapted to produce.