National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-04-12
Tho Mormon Chief.

| asked the Elder, writes q correspond
ent, how many wives Brigham had, so as
to get some authority upon that disputed
point.
"Living with him here in the house, VI
replied the Elder, "hc only has sixteen
but then there are number of Others.
really don't know how many are married
to him over the territory. many Of whom
he has not even seen since the hour they
were married"
"What is the use Of that sort OF mar
liage ?" | asked, with an eye to the prac-
tical as well as the spiritual.
"These marriages are tor the next world
they are spiritual marriages. We believe
that marriages are for time aud eternity.
Because marry woman il is no sign
that am going TO live with her. She
is sealed to me for eternity. For instance,
n lauy whuu, po-h ar., ! hnva ro"~- 800
before. comes to me with letter OF intro
duction from some OF our church officers,
saying that she was good, deserving lady,
and desires to be united 10 q man for
eternity, why, | should consider it my duty
TO marry that lady, although | might
never see her again in this world"
"But suppose the lady has husband ~
| added
"That don't make any difference she
can be sealed to me just the same; perhaps
her husband is worthless fellow, and in
every way unworthy of her
"Wont your wives object ~
"Oh, no, we understand all that; there
isn't so much objecting going on as you
think, whether we marry to cohabit, or
simply for the next world. didn't mar
ry my second wife unit my first had con-
seuted. ! said wanted some moro chill
dren-some sons to bear my namc II
was the Lords will that | should ha, G
them. Ny first wife consented and told
me to do the Lords will, and l married
again, selecting a much younger woman
than my irst wife, and she bore some fine
boys
give this as specimen OF the sort Of
talk one will hear among the elders and
those high in authority in the Mormon
church. They talk as freely about their
families as they would about their oxen.
And all tais wickedness, these brutal prac-
tices, this degradation of women, las
nothing for its foundation but pretended
revelation to Joseph Smi,h from Heaven.
or all the humbug and bosh, superstition
and cleriral quaekery that was never
pumped into any creed or sect, the Nor
mon. have it. Yet their diabolical creed
is not more marvellous than their perfect
sincerity.
All Of Brigham's sixteen wives with
whom he lives have borne him children
except one, called Amelia. Amelia is his
most noted wife, spirited, pleasant and of
American birth. She is only thirty-two,
lacking some years of being half as old as
her husband. His wives arc oi all ages, LIS
last two being quite young, mere girls in
fact, when they married him. asked
Gentle gentleman OF their acoualntance
why they should be such fools is to marry
an old man with over II dozen wives al
ready. W as it for love No, indeed,
said he, ".or know they did not love
him"
"Werc they compelled 10 marry him ?"
"Oh, no: they did il OF their own free
will, as they thought it is certain way
TO 90 to heaven
Brigham has sixty-eight children, about
forty of whom are females. They are all
ages, from three years to thirty. Several
Of his older sons a,e young men Of promise
and position. He is the father of good
deal Of talent, and some OF his children
VIII be heard OF in the world hereafter.
One night, at the theatre, | was particular
ly struck with tn, good, | might say
superb acting ofa young lady, and quite
handsome withal. | made inquiry and
learned she was a daughter Of Brigham,
and one OF the wives of III. b. Clawson.
Clawson beings a man Of wealth and stand
ing, and devout Mormon, has married two
of Brigham's daughters, in addition to his
other three wives.
Isn't that curious way to do2 1t cer-
tainly is to us Gentiles; but to the Nor
mons it is all perfectly correct and prope-.
In several States a man is prohibited from
marrying his dead wife's sister, but here
in Utah it is much tho style TO marry two
sisters at once, besides having several
other wives. But as long as it is necessary
to have two or more wives, think he is
wise man who would marry sisters, if pos
sible.
Many OF Brigham's children are hand
some and lovablc. Those by one of his
wives, Mrs. Decker, are particularly so.
He provides well for his numerous sons
in-law, and takes great pleasure in seeing
his children we'll married off and happy,
if there can be any happiness in the Nor
mon married state, which l doubt. A
marriage takes place in his family now
very often, as his numerous flock are rap
idly maturing. One of his daughters
married recently. | heard of one who had
to run away to marry, Brigham being op-
posed to the match because the young
man who loved his daughter also loved
lager beer. Brigham tried to break oil
the match and keep his daughter home,
hut his home had so many doors to it that
he could not watch them all at once, and
she got away. II this teaches any moral
at all, it is either to have fewer daughters
or fewer doors.