The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-25
.CH HARL Es TON.
SATURDAY MORNING, SEPT. 25, 1869.
"Progress'' In New England-The Latest
Development.

\ A"N~~~
Development.
Now that slavery no longer exists to serve
as safety valve for the surplus zeal of the
New England fanatics, their irresistible
propensity to revolutionize the social order
begins to msnifest itself in other directions.
The latest "idea" which agitstes the club"
is the advantage of polygany, "viewed
ffpm Christian standpoint" A book
mas Assualiyy' Beer; 'ppablished in Boston
openly: y:defendise plurality of wives, not
only as allowable but as proper, ezpedient,
and every way desirable. The author
one James Canpbell-styles himself in the
title page ga Christian Philanthropist," {"
and says aftsrward that he is q native Of
New England, was brought up strict Pu-
ritan, and in his youth became member Of
the church. He went through college, and
and was studying law when his health
broke down, and he was obliged to take q
situation in Boston mercantile house. In
the course Of his employment he was sent
to th, East Indies, where he resided for
long time, being now, as it would seem
from the periods of time mentioned, sixty
years of age. Itwss while in the East that
his attention was called to the subject on
which he writee. He was surprised to find
some Of the American missionaries allowing
the native converts to have plurality Of
wives, and still more to be told by them
that the Bible did not forbid the practice.
This set him to inquiring into the matter,
and the result was sceonyiction on his part,
not only that pOlygamy is permissible, but
that enforced monogany is "the joint Off
"spring Of paganism and Romanism," and
should be abolished. He therefore gives
this book to the world in order to help re-
move the popular prejudices Of Christians
against good and useful institution.
Practical considerations, ne tells us, re-
quire that the restrictions upon marriage
be removed. In many, communities, such
as the State of Massachusetts, women great.
ly outnumber the men; and, besides, many
Of the men are engaged in occupations
which prevent their marrying, thus lessen
ing still further the women's. chances Of
obtaining husbands. The result is an i'm.
mense number Of old maids pining away in
solitude, who might become happy wives
snd mothers if men able to support them
were allowed to marry several Of them, in.
stead Of one only. In meeting the objection
that polygamy causes dissension and jeal-
ousy between the wives, the author denies
that it does so any more than monogamy.
He also denies that it is any more degrad-
ing to women than the dependence upon
husband that monogamical marriage en-
tails. On the coutrAry, it is one of woman's
rights to have, and be dependent on, hus-
band, and none the less 80 because another
wife is also dependent on that same hus-
band.
'sFor example, there are two female friends
residing together, and mutually dependent
upon each other for many Of their social en-
joyments and for much of their intellectual
and moral culture. A wealthy young man Of
their acquaintance calls upon them equently
and admlres them both, and they enjoy his
visits, for neither Of them has any other male
associates. Atlength he invites them both 70
public entertainment. Neither of them would
be willing to leave her friend and go with hm
alone, nor colld he well endure the thought Of
enjoying himself abroad with one while the
other would be deserted and neglected at
home-the other who would enjoy the enter
tainment so much, and whose enjoyment would
so much enhance theirs. Now, if this triple
companionship shall ripeu into friendship, and
the friendship into love, and the love shall re-
suit in triple marriage, where is the degra-
dation? Would it not be still more heartless
to desert either Of the friends. now when each
heart Is thrilling with the harmonious music
Of the triple lovep"
To sum up his argument in few words,
he contends that polygamy is the only
hope of bsnishing forever from the world
vice, licentiousness snd-his especial aver
sion-useless old maids. The rich men
would make up the deficiencies of the poor
by taking to wife the women the poor men
failed to marry, and thus the admirable
order Of the patriarchal age would be re-
stored to the world. Such is the latest
code Of social ethics which engages the at
'ention Of our enlightened brethren down
East