The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-08-08


both sides took part. Brigham in
sisted that experience and history, botl
sacred and profane, Justify it, and "po
sed" tho ,scriptural members of 1oul
party by asking them to cite from the
Bible single direct prohibition. But
when he admitted that even in Utah
as elsewhere that the births Of males
and females were about equal, he seem
ed little staggered by Mr.. ColfaS
asking how he accounted for that fact
if the Almighty designed more than
one wife for each man. 'iiii loi mHl
Our Party--Is Polygamy vital and
inseparable part of your system? sg1l
Brigham-It is not in our Book OF
Covenants and discipline. We did not
adopt it of ourselves, but in consonance
with q revelation from God, Twas or
dercd to enter into Plurality, (the Nor
mons invaribly use. this word instead of
Polygamy,-C Correspondent so were
several Of the other brethren. But for
the church at large it is a privilege
rather than an obligation. Abuses of
it sometimes occur which it is difficult
to preycNt, But we can point to the
highest morality, We have not a
house of prostitution. I don't believe
you oan fnd four illegitimate children
in the Territory. You all think Plural
ity cannot last. Now tell me frankly
how you expect it to be done away.
y'OoffaI-lWell, we expect You to
have a new revelation prohibiting it,
laughter j. bp,A sai lrn ,'sldS.1i ."
Brigbam-We should not be sorry
for that. If God eyer SO directs we
shall be happy te. dispense with it.
.Colfax--Or there may be another
solution You may do ,awayTwith it by
your own voluntary action legally,
peacefully, Just as Missouri and Mary
land abolished slavery. t
Brigham--But if we did so, it would
only be the beginning. You could then
demand that we give up the Book of
Mormon, and our church organization.
Our Party-No, NOT You would be
tolerated I'm your faith just as Method
lists, Presbyterians, and all other sects
are. We have no right to interfere
with your religion, only your practice
when it violates the civil law,
A Mormon Elder-That infamous
law against g Polygamy"ostrikes at our
religious liberty, and is unconstitution-
al. .r-.. ,e.,.,1 odt "a vr
Colfax-It certainly violates no Sec
ton of the Constitution, and accords
with tho practice of all civilized ma
tions. = aFTlla1 - ftsI
Elder--What right had Congress to
enact it? ,t, -,r.,r .-r~s1sL s.G.
Our Party-Tho same it would have
to interfere with n sect which, like
South Sea Islanders, should consider
human sacrifices q religious duty, or
like our New. England ancestry, should
interpret the Scripture injunction -
I " Thou shalt not suffer witch to live"
as requiring them to drown old wo-
men on charge of witchcraft.
Brigham-Thc cases are not parallel.
As read His word, God nowhere re-
quires the taking of human life, except
in the case of his Son. who was given
as n sacrifice and atonement for all our
Gins. besides our system is entirely
voluntary.
Our Party-Truc, but the compari-
son holds good insomuch as your sys-
tenn conflicts with civilization and Pub
lie Morality. If you had revelation
requiring you, like Abraham, to sacri-
fee and slay your son, would YOU do
lit? 80 'H u.
Elder-Yos, if convinced that il was
a revelation from God.
Our Party-Well, just there the oiv-
il law would step in to restrain you.-
Now, will you answer a question as
frankly as we havo done Do you
expect Polygamy to spread throughout
the nation and the world? .I. e.
Brigham-That is known only to the
God of Heaven. If, as we believe, our
faith is the true one, it will continue to
grow aud flourish, and nothing can
prevail against it. tits all in the hands
of God. "a. ~.
Soon after the interview ended
Giving only fragmentary portions of
it, / have endeavored to report the
spirit, and, as far rs space would al
low, the words of the chief discussions.
It's like never occurred before in the
office of brigham Young. / trust he
will yet receive the new revelation.