The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-04-09
VOLUME IX.


MoRMoN WoMEN-Mr. Hugh 8. Briggs,
who has been resident of Salt Lake City for
several years, is delivering lectures upon the
condition Of society in Utah. His account Of
che degradation and slavery Of the females
under the rule Of the saints is revolving 1t
s most strange while 50 much feeling is ex-
aibited for the oppression and sufferings Of the
S.Sek slaves, that no sympathy, and no indig-
nation 10 uttered by the same philanthropists
Tor the misery and wrstchedness Of the wo-
passion and excitement at the prospect Of a
few hundred blacks being subjected to slave
~ in Kansas. while scarcely voice is raised
to emancipate eight or ten thousand white
women sunk in the lowest moral degradation
and most grinding slavery in another territory.
Mr.. Briggs says: that when Col. Steptos's
command left the Salt Lake City in 1856, sew
7eral women asked and obtained the favor Of
= conveyance and safe conduct out Of the
country. Hundreds Of others solicited a safe
conduct aud provisions on the way, and were
willing rather than remain in Utah, to ven
ture the journey Of over 800 miles on foot,
in the spring Of the year and with all its in
termediate hardshps. 1t was inexpedient to
accede to their request, and thus they were
left behind. 1t is, Of course impossible for
them to escape. Such an effort would be at
tended with fearful perils, il not inevitable
death. Mr.. Briggs alludins to their condition
in this respect, says:
/ will remind you that their geograph
ical position separates them by hundreds Of
miles from every civilized community, the
ways to it passing over wild. and, for the
most part, desert country, unpeopled save
10y rowing bands Of hostile Indians, and usu-
ally'rendered impossible by the severity Of
tho season. for four, FIVE or six months in the
year, save by few hardy adventurers, who
set all dangers and difficulties at Defiance
As large proportion of the actual necessities
as we'll as the comforts Of life have TO be
transported from the States, distance Of
twelve hundred miles overland, the expense
of living comfortable is necessarily much
augmented over and above what it costs here
suppose the city OF Great Salt Lake to con-
tain between nine and ten thousand souls.
OF this population not fourth live comforta-
bly,, about fourth very precariously, the re.
mainder in squalid poverty.
The extensive families Of these latter day
patriarchs Sometimes occupy the same
sometimes different houses. as the ability OF
the Saint admits Of it, it uscellY being con.
ceiyed most desirable to keep them ..enarate
In order to preserve tho domestic peace and
happiness that clinss but rarely around many
mistrsssed mansions. unless it be in Utah,
where. if it has place. they are so jealous
of il, that they incur no risk of having it
blasted. by bsing looked on by inquisitive and
curious eyes. However. some Of these abodes
Of wives or spirituals are said to contain as
many ss forty or fifty inmates. being CON-
pietsly protected from observation and intru.
sion by stone walls ten or twelve feet high.
These establishments, without exception, be.
tong to the great High Priests; and allow me
to suggest that if any of you should visit this
city Of the Saints. it will be as well not to
exhibit any curiosity concerning these pecu
liar edifces or their appointments. as simple
and as I conceived . harmless observation
relative to one of them on one occasion, cos
me o very black eye, administered by one O
the sianted brethren, who had charge of ths
honor of the Prophets.