The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1873-06-26
IDAHO CITY. THURSDAY. JUNE 26, 1873
AN UNBIASED STATEMENT.

u AN UNBIASED STATEMENT. a
We publish below an unbiased statement
about the Mormons, lately given to the Mining
and Scientific Press, by San franciscan
who has been there and seen for himself, with
eyes unblinded and judgment unwarped by the
films Of superstition or the stiff formalities Of
creed. We know there are bad people among
the Mormons as there are among all other de-
nominations; but the number of bad men is
not greater, and may be less, among the Nor
mons OF Utah, than in other frontier commun.
tiles, for the reason that they are more tenn
perate, moro Industrious moro frugal than
others. The wild stories told of Mormon
atrocities by those who write books and print
newspapers to sell to people as blind as they
are, we have always believed to be, mere fabri-
catious usually circulated with malicious in
tent. Industry and sobriety are not charac-
teristics OF debauched and dishonest people;
of the industry Of the Mormons Utah will be a
witness and monument forever. But we are
personally acquainted with great many Nor.
mon families, having lived in community,
when boy, one-fourtb Of the people Of which
were Mormons; and we had no better or
kinder neighbors. and have known no more
honest and generous people. Further than
this: When Bonney's pamphlet was published.
in 1851, we believe it was. exposing band Of
horse thieves extending ever the entire west
and southwest, several of our Gentle neighbors
got disgusted with the country and departed
after sunset. The Mor,nons, not upprehending
anything unusual, remained and kept quietly
at work As to the indecent language as
cribcd to Mormon preachers, we never heard
any of it: and. like the informant of the Press,
we believe Brigham Young to be the best ruler
and most comprehensive statesman living Po-
lygamy is a practice which, we think. all right
minded people will condemn; but how much
worse is man who has a half dozen wives
than he who keeps two or three mistresses. as
is the we'll known practice OF most Of our high
officials and wealthy mcn7 yet we hear moth
ing said about their immortality. The state
ment Is in the form of an answer to questions
asked by the editor Of the Press, aud is as fol-
lows: = as
You ask what think of Utah. I would like
to write it up in full. but have not time to do 30.
In geological sense it is q marvel. In
one. wonder. In a political
sense. an enigma. In a religious one, study.
It's products arc minerals, fruits, grain, wool
and babies. -at. .'s..f
Within its population are men OF the highest
and lowest in human intellect. There are
ply sioenomies that would puzzle Lavater-
contour Of brains that would form new ield
for Spurzheim. Among the Mormons all are
for the Lord and Bro. Brigham:" among the
Gentilcs all are for themselves.
A. for potgamy. it is the, exception. | saw
no difference between Salt Lake aud New
York, Chicago or San Francisco. One is open
the other concealed. Whats in q name7'
Salt Lake City IL active. orderly, temperate
and ontwardly. at least. moral-grandly located,
aud with its lavish supply Of purest water. its
geographical position, time will develop it into
one Of the most beautiful inland cities in
The press. both Mormon and Gentle, is in.
vigorous and enterprising. aud will
compare with any East. West, North or South.
The MormOns as whole are industrious,
moral. temperate people, and apparently con.
tented with their lot. ,y saa g1e8
| heard President Young, Apostles Taylor,
Jos. f. Smith and J. Young, Jr. speak; heard
nothing Objectionable to God or man, mainly
good advice in morals and temperance Sepa.
rate cooperation is being pushed for all kinds
Of business; it is the grand idea Of Brigham
Young. and is only equaled BY the conception,
and expansiveness of the Great
l Iemplo ITSELF t saf aged 4a.e ST.. sIlH -
This cooperative programme il far reaching, |
further than many suppose It is spreading |
u hereby the finer and cOarser, older |
md younger elements of Mormon society, are
blended into one common tinterest--One idea, |
,ne will. Among his people Brigham Young
g the great I am, and his far-seeing brain, |
broad, spreading conceptions. grasping disposi.
ion, and great executive ability entities him to
{. One cannot but admire the sweeping pow
,rs Of the man who stands rs President and
Director Of 100 600 worshippcrs in Utah alone
The man who builds towns, manufactures, |
and railroads almost ata word. In |
he eyes Of the Mormon, Church hc is next to /
lbjcct poverty to comfort, andis it my wonder
40 is held in reverential awe. The religious
owe Of the true Mormon amounts to On infatu-
,tion-a superstition: but many are beginning
% look around and think, with desire for
nnre individual wealth and less religion. VI
To throw the mind back thirty years, view
n retrospect, the barren, unhospitable wilds,
md survey this then desert now blossomingI
ls the rose" with the many, many towns, made
and attractive BY spacious gnr.
n -