The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-04-14

A Chapter on Polygamy--N1onnon Expesi.
ehcc by n Mormon.
Extract Of a letter to the Chicago Tribune.
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 corners were
opposed to it. But as they saw how beauti
fully and harmoniously thoie families lived where
there were two or more wives, their preiudiccs
4yradualy gave way, and among no class was
this change more apparent than the women
At the present time if a vote were taken upon
the subject, venture to sae 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 it than the men
for upon many of the latter it entails heavy
burdens-though the truth is, our wives in
Deseret make no pretensions to being fine ladies
their highest ambition being to help their hus-
bands, and their poor brothers and sisters in
the Lords Church.
There are very few men here who have more
than five wives and large part have but one,
while some have none For myself, I have
three. Sarah Ann, your cousin, whom I mar
ried in York State, has the largest share of my
affections, and takes precedence in the manage
ment of the household. Two years ago I
married Miss S., formerly of Ohio, and she has
charge of the education of the children and at
tending to the clothing, My other, which I
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 impro-
priety, is decidedly handsome. Her person is
of good size very round, full chest bright flaxen
hair and o soft blue eve. She enters on the du-
of bor,,c ~
and is very happy, as arc Susan Ann and
Elizabeth. There is none Of that iealousy-that
disposition to tear out each others hair-which
you have probably imagined would show itself
in such cases.
We are all looking forward to the time when
We shall be together constantly in our little
Eden, where we con work for each other, and
raise our children in the fear and admonition
of the Lord" You may 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 ar
rangement Of my household. every department
Of q well organized establishment, on q patri-
archal scale, would have q head to it, and be
governed in order. I have no inclination to
comply on my own account, as l am well sat
istied with those I now have, but if I should do
so, it will be entirely out Of regard for them.
My daughter, Louisa, is engaged to be mar
ried to man from Pennsylvania, who has
already wife and three children. 1t did not
entirely meet Interpretation, but I did not in
terpose a single objection SO long as she was
satisfied, and the marriage would be in high
degree honorable to her, as well as advan-
tageous in worldly view.
Now, my dear sir, you will say, what is to
come Of all this Let me tell you what has
come oft In Deseret there are no libertines
with their paramours, no houses Of prostitution,
no cases Of seduction. Or those which disturb the
peace of families in the States, under your laws.
Here every, woman can have what God intended
she should-a husband-and every man that
wants to, may have wife. And the 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 case Of plurality the duties
of the house are divided