Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
Among the Mormons--Present COndi-
tion of the Latter-day Saints.


AS MOrmOnism grows and expands in Utah.
it becomes more and more subject of inter-
esttO the people OF the United States. Much
has been said and written about it, but full
picture of the iniquity has never yet been
drawn. The following sketch, giving an ac-
count of an interview with Brigham Young,
will be found interesting =
regard Brigham Young as a greatly un-
derrated man by most persons in the East
They all judge him mainly by his ribald and
often blasphcmous harangues from the pull
pit, and do not appreciate him us great adj
ministratOr aud leader OF surprising attain
ments. l first saw him in his own business
room. He was nearly or perhaps quite alone
when 1 entered, but almost Instantly several
side doors opened, and half dozen brothers,
sons, secretaries, ETC., were seated around the
little office. l learn that he never sees any
person alone, unless that he knows perfectly
the character of the visitor, and when stran-
gers call on him his person is guarded from
possible assassination by the apparent casual
but evidently systematic appearance of his
immediate friends. He greets the visitor
with serene dignity but taultless courtesy,
and converses freely aud quite Intalligently
on all agreeable topics. He was evidently in
no mood for talk about the inside workings
of MormOnism, and au inquiry as to the num-
ber of his wives and children, and their
health, would doubtless have terminated the
interview most abruptly. lie is a well pre-
served man of sixty years, of medium height,
rather cOrpulent, with an abundant growth of
light auburn hair, and heavy crop Of sandy
Whlskers, excepting ON his upper and lower
lips. Ills eyes are a very light, dull blue,
and wanting in expression, his nose short and
prominent, his lips thick and firmly set, and
the whole give him the appearance Of mau
of obstinate will, and cold, calculating pur-
pose. His head is Of unusual shape The
face is quite broad across the centre, and
gradually narrows to the top of the forehead,
aud point of the chin, while his neck is Of
uncommon thickness, and describes u semi
oval line from the base of the head to the
top, taPering gradually to the crown, giving
it sugar loaf finish. He is evidently a man
Of the keenest perception, of great seIf-reli-
ance and will, of the subtlest cunning, and
possesses an organization capable of the high
est measures Of physical Ell lurauce In his
manners and movements he Aquite graceful.
indicating considerable cuidGe, but really the
fruits of his varied experience and inter
course with all classes of men, No man
could acquire any needed quality more readi-
ly than brigham Young. He Is eminent as
mimic, and often resorts to mimicing as his
most powerful weapon in hurting his anuthe-
mas against the gcntiles or apostates in his
sermons. In short, | would put him down,
after meeting him in his Office aud leaving
him IN the pulpit, as most scienced impOs-
ter, singularly able, versatile aud unscrupu-
lous, aud as one who seeks to hide his revolt
ing, beastly lIcentiUusness by deliberate bias
Phemy.
do not pretend to know the number of
wives and children Brigham Young can
boast. L believe that no TWO writer's have
estimated them alike, and have found no
MOrmon, in the scores with whom have con-
versed on the ubject, who professed to know
1t is conceded, however, that he has some
fifteen or twenty who are members of his
household, aud probably score of others who
are simply sealed TO HIN as spiritual wives,
SO as to share his high crown in the future
world. Even the dead have been welded to
him by proxy, to satisfy the anxiety of de-
luded parents, who wished their departed
daughters to wear starry robes around the
Prophet in heaven. Of his living wives, who
are subject to his domestic laws, the first. who
was his lawful wife before pOIygamy was
thought of as part OF the Mormon faith, now
lives in a pleasant, spacious cottage by her
self, some distance from the harem, peopled
with the fairer and more tender acquisitions
to his family circle. She is said to be firm
believer in the faith, and accepts her position
as cross imposed ON her to enhance her re-
ward hereafter. l saw her in the theater,
along with five junior wives, who in turn sue
ceeded each other in the favor of the prophet,
and gave way in time to younger and fresher
charms. OF all the so-called Mrs. YOungs
have seen, the lawful wife seems much the
most intelligent and refined The last one.
and Of course for the present the favor
lite. had private box in the theater, sported
gay ribbons and furbelOws, and seemed to
look down upon her faded predecessors with
the contempt they deserved. She is niece
| Of the first wife, and defies even Brigham's
domestic government. She was tried in the
/ harem, but her Tebellious spirit threatened
the subversion of all law and order there
and she is now quartered in house Of her
own, beyond range of the others. 1 do not,
! of course, credit all the revolving scenes de-
tailed as occurring in the extensive family Of
the Prophet, but il is well known that the
last additien TO the wives hectors her anoiDted
! fraction of a husband in most iTTeveTent
style and storms the holy inner circle Of In
| spired power with proiane speech and violent
pugilislic gestures Although each one after