The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1857-1858, 1857-12-16
iWomen amoug the lformons.

thus expiains the position OF the women OF
Utah in relation to polygamy:
How can they permit it at all The
whole secret lies in that ono word, fanati-
cism. The women are all sincere their suE
ferings and sacrifices prove that They are
taught that polygamy is . heaven ordained
institution; that it was countenanced by
God ancieptly and is commanded by God
now that the instincts Oftheir nature that
rebel against it are the results of false edu-
cation and tradition; their pride is aattered
tossthink the exaltation ofmen depends on
them ; they learn to sacrifice themselves to
elevate, as they think, their husbands. The
desire to be eternally glorious, is made to
overcome the wish to be temporarily happy
The ambition to excel their neighbors is al
DO used to induce them to submit patiently to
privation and misery. What will not weak
minded persons endure from a feeling of RI
valry? Where wealth is regarded as the
sMmmMm 6onxns, any sacrifice will be made
to give wealth to their husbands In Utah
women are esteemed that sumMum 6onuns,
and therefore many sacrifice all personal
feeling, and give other women to their hus-
bands. The fanaticism that prompts it is
old it is only this peculiar developement Of
fanaticism that is new. 1t is common that
people be fanatical; it is growing to common
that they should choose Mormonism as their
style Of exhibiting it Some women in Utah
seems contented enough. That however 10
natural enough. Ii polygamy be not COM
manded by God, as they believe it is, then
they would feel their fate as others see it,
For them to see themselves deceived is to
know themselves dishonered. To maintain
their own self-respect, they must maintain
their own self deception. Who knows not
what an easy thing it is to find force in weak
arguments that justify our position, and not
to feel very strong ones that condemn our
actions. 1t is necessary that those poor de-
luded and degraded women should debate
the question very often, for they very often
feel the necessity to out c!amor the voices Of
their own hearts. tssta5 5
HrSTING UP A Sort PLACE II was down
to see the widow yesterday, said Tins un-
Gle, and she gave me dinner. Invent rather
early in the morning we talked and laugh
ed, and run on, she going ont and in occas-
ionally till dinner was ready, when she gra-
ciously helped ME to pigeon pie Now l
thought that, Tim rather favourable, took
it as symptom Of appreciation, becausessev-
srybody knows love pigeon pie, and fiat
tered myself she had cooked it on purpose
for me. so grew particularly cheerful,
and thought could see it in her too. So
after dinner, while sitting close beside the
widow fancied we both felt rather com
Portable like--I know did, felt that had
fallen over head and ears in love with her
and imagined the way way she looked she
had fallen in love with me. She appeared
just for all the world as if she thought it was
coming-that was going to court her
PRESENTLY couldn't help i'll laid my
hand softly on her beautiful shoulder, and l
remarked when had placed it there, in my
blandest tones, Tim, for tried to throw my
whole soul into the expression, l remarked
then, with my eyes pouring love, truth and
fidelity right into hers: FL.
Widow, this is the incest, scftest place /
ever had my hand ON in my life.
Looking benevolently at me, and at the
same time flushing upa little, she said, in
melting and winning tones: sng
doctor, give me your hand, an I'll put it
on much softer place" sN
In moment Of rapture, consented, and
taking my hand, she gently, very gently, Tim
and quietly laid it on my head-and burst
into laugh that's ringing in my ears yet
Now, Tim, haven't told this to living soul
but you, and byjinks you musen't but
couldn' hold on any longer, SO l tell but
mind you it mustn't 60 any further