The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-07-22

UTAH AND THE MORMONS.

Mr.. Benjamin G.. Ferris. who has been a
mong the Mormons at Salt Lake, as Secretary
of the Territory of Utah, writes book of his
observations and experiences there, which is
entitled to full credit The following arc cx-
tracts from it,
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY.
Great Salt Lake City presents very singu-
lar appearance to the eye of II stranger 1t is
built of adobe or sun dried bricks. and is of a
uniform lead color, with the single exception
Of the house of Brigham Young, the prophet
and seer. which is white, and standing on the
most prominent point in the city, may be seen
at great distance. The streets are eight rods
wide and cross each other at right angles.
Each block contains ten acres, and is divided
into eight lots of an acre and a quarter lot.
OF course, the city, which contains a popua-
ton Of eight thousand, is scattered over a very
large area. 1t is built partly on the slope Of
the lowest mountain bench, at point where
the Wasatch range turns to the north after
running six or seven miles westerly and is
twenty-five miles east from the lake. A noun
tain stream. called Getty Creek" originally
ran through the center of the town, but by
numerous bitches its water is distributed
through almost every street, according TO the
inclination of the land. The buildings are very
ordinary in their style of construction, gcncr-
ally of one story, and are, many Of thtm mere
huts. 1t is not uncommon TO see long, low
building, with from two to half a dozen tn
frances, which is sure indication that the
owner is the husband of sundry wives, after
the fashion of the prophet Joseph There are
Il few dwellings, of Il larger class and fair APP
lcarance, among which arc those of Brigham
Young. already mentioned, IIeber c. kimball,
Farley p. Platt, Ezra T. Benson, and other
,ligniaries of the Mormon hierarchy.
The public buildings arc fcw-the Council
House. where the Legislative Assembly and
Courts are heidi the Tithing office, where
tilhcs arc received in a room of which Is the
Post Office: the Social Hall, where thcatrica
performances are had, and in which the Saints
are accommodated with convtnicnccS fol
dancing and social parties; and the Tabcr-
naclc, long, low building on Temple Block,
the Mormon place of worship, very large OF,
the ground, and capable OF seating an audi,
,ncc of three thousand.
Temple Block contains the usual compile.
trent of eight acres, and besides the Tabcrna,
Gle has range of work shops lelonging to the
church, in which various mechanical employ
mcnls are carried on. A wall is beng built
around the whole block, and excavations were
common cl in the spling of 1888 for the
erection ola temple Which is 10 be the future
glory and pride of all Morlnonlom. 1t is de-
signed to be two hundred and twenty feet
long by one hundred and fifty wide, with
walls six feet thick. The excavation in the
center for baptismal font is twenty feet deep.
This grand structure is building, as all cred
uous Molmons believe, after Il plan revealed
10 the prophet Brigham from heaven, and Is
to consist of three parts corresponding to the
sun, moon and stars, which are three glorics
ol degrees of salvation in store for all tru.
l.att,r,'lay Saints.
HEALTH OF THE cor NTRy.
From its great elevation, and pure and
hra:ing atmosphere, any one, reasoning from
natural causes, would expect to find the Val
lev of Salt Lake one of the hcaithicst regions
in the world. The very reverse, however,
seems to be the case. Sickness is very com
mon, and mortality great. The report Of the
Superintendent of the Census for December
1850, (p li0) exhibits Utah the very lowest
in the list of comparative health Of all the
States and Territories except Louisiana. That
such result cannot he owing to the priva,ier
and suffering incident to new settlements by
emigration, is evident from The fact, that
while ono death occurred in II Gl-lO0 in the
population of Utah for the year ending Jun.
!, 1850, only one in 232 80 90 occurred in
Oregon. Whether it is the fault of the climate
and the qualities of the soil or of the peculiar
customs and habits of the people, remains to
re tested by further observation. All thes,
causes may have their agency i'll the result.
The alkaline properties OF the soil are, with
good reason, supposed to promote crysipclas
and scrofulous diseases. The gross sensual
tics originating in polygamy, coupled with
parental ncgc; It of offspring, occasion great
mortality among children. To these may nc
added incompetence in drinking, very gencr'
ally dilfuscd and which finds its qualification
in a miserable article of whisky and beer
manufactured in great quantities.
THE TRUE MORMON.
The true follower of Smith can form no idea
of earthly or heavenly happiness except what
proceeds from, or is in some way connected
with, the pleasures Of the bodily senses. lie
knows nothing of spiritual ideas or pleasures.
Dsintcrcsttd bcncvolencc has no place in the
storchousc of his religious treasures. Every
thing with him is matter; and mind is moth
ing, here and hereafter, except as it is made
up of, and connected with matter. lie is, in
the strictcst senses of the term, matcrialist:
this he not only openly ayows, but strenuous
" contends that matcrialisln furnishes II q