The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-01-04
A ChaDter on PoIvcamv

OndpISf Oh IOlySdmy.
The following is an extract from Nor
mon correspondent Of the Chicago Ifibune:
When | came to Deseret, there were not
many who were in the enjoyment OF
more than one wife, and many or most
Of the new eomers were opposed to it.
But as they saw how beautifully and
harmoniously those families lived where
there were two or more wives, their pre-
judices gradually gave way, and among
no classes was this change more appsr-
ent than the women. At the present
time if vote were taken upon the SUBJ
ject, l venture to say that nine out Of
every ten women who have lived here two
years, would sustain our present social
system in this particular. They are more
for 1t than the men, for upon many Of the
latter it entails heavy burdens-though
the truth is, our wives in Desert make no
pretentions to being fine ladies, their
highest ambition being to help their hus-
bands, and their poor brothers and Sis
ters in the Lords Church.
There are few men here who have
more than FIVE wives, and large part
have but one, while some have nome
For myself, have three. Sarah Ann,
your cousin, whom | married in York
State, has the largest share of my az
fections. and takes precedence in the
management of the household. Two years
ago [ married Miss s.: formerly of Ohio.
and she has charge Of the education of
the children and attending to the cloth
ing. My other, which l took three months
ago, is from near Hamburg, Germany
She is larger than either Sarah Ann or
Elizabeth, (the name of my second wife)
and | say it without invidiousness or i'm
propriety is decidedly handsome. Her
person is of good size, very round, full
chest, bright faxen hair and soft blue
eye. She enters into the duties of her
new situation with wonderful alacrity,
and is very happy, as are Sarah Ann
and Elizabeth-There is none of that
jealousy-that disposition to tear out each
others hair-which you have probably
imagined would show itselfin such eases.
We are all looking forward to the time
when We shall be together constantlyin our
little Eden, where we can work for each
other, and raise our children in "tho fear
and admonition of the Lord" You NAV
be surprised at this; but you will be still
more so, when | assure you that all of my
present wives are anxious that | should
get another-one who is fitted by educa-
tion, and physically adapted. to take
charge of the business of the dairy
With such an arrangement Of my house
hold, every department of a well organ
lied establishment. on patriarcbal scale,
would have head to it, aud be govern
ed in order. have no inclination to
comply on my own account, as l am well
satisfied with those now have, but if
should do so, it will be entirely out Of re-
gard for them
My daughter Louisa is engaged to be
married to man from Pennsylvania,
who has already a wife and three chill
dren. 1t did not entirely meet my ap-
probation, but did not intepose a single
objection, so long as she was satisfied,
and the marriage would be in high de-
gree honorable to her, as well, as advau-
tageous in a worldly view.
Now, my dear Sir, you will say what
is to come of all thisl Let me tell YOU
what has come of it. In Descret there
are no libertines with their paramours,
no houses of prostitution, no eases of se-
duction, or those which disturb the peace
of families in the States. under your laws.
Here every woman can have what God
intended she Should husband-and
every man that wants to, may have
wife. And as q woman that is the wife
of man who has one or more other
wives is more fortunate than if she were
the only one, for in ease OF plurality the
duties of the house are divided.
The children here are pretty numer
ous. I must admit that this should and
does contribute to the happiness of the
true followers of the Lord, from whom
we have learned that our duty is to null
tiply and replenish. But mark this, there
are no illegitimste children in Deseret,
no children of shame who are ashamed
of their mothers, and disgrace to any
but the lowest society.
shall not enter into an argument to
attempt to convince you that your senti-
ments 10 regard to the marriage relation
are the results of education and are wrong.
I wish you could live here one year. or
two, however, and / have not a doutt
your acts would show you and change
your opinion.