Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-11-15
Address from Non-Mormon Women to
Mrs. Hayes and the Women Of the
Country.
sAnrLAKE. UTAH. Nov

SALT LAKE. UTAH, Nov. z.
The following was adopted at
meeting of non-Mormon women of this
city to-day;
To Mrs. Rutherford b. Hayes and the Women of
the United States:
1t is more than thirty years since
polygamy was planted on the shores of
the great Salt Lake. During these
years Congress has utterly failed to en-
act efficient or enforce existing laws for
the abolition of this great crime, and we
believe that more of these unlawful and
unhallowed alliances have been con-
summated the past year than ever be-
fore in the history of the Mormon
Church. Endowment houses under the
name of temples are being erected in
different parts of the Territory, costing
millions. 1t is impossible to ascertain
the exact number of polygamous mar
riages, for they are consecrated in these
endowment houses, an institution no
GENTLE is permitted to enter, where the
brotherhood and sisterhood are sealed
and bound by oaths so strong that even
apostates will not reveal them, and to
maintain which witnesses on the wit
ness stand unblushingly perjure them
selves, and in iuries violate all consid-
Grafton of oath and duty.
Considering all our surroundings,
polygamy has never taken such a de-
grading and debasing form in any ma
ton or among any people above the
conditions of barbarians, as in Utah.
1t is degrading to man and woman, a
curse to children, and destruction to
the sacred relation of the family, upon
which the civilization of nations de-
pends; and there are things that cannot
be repeated or printed that reduce the
system to the lowest form of indecency.
That it should be practiced in the name
and under the cloak of religion. and
that an apostle of polygamy, with four
acknowledged wives, is permitted to sit
in Congress only adds to the enormity
of the crime and makes it more revolt
ing to our common Christian princi-
pies. Our Legislature is composed al
most entirely of polygamists and mem
bers of the Mormon priesthood, and
they have thrown around polygamy
every possible safeguard in their power,
and the right of dover has been abol-
ished to break down the distinction be-
tween the lawful wife and concubine.
The Mormons are rapidly extending
their settlements into Arizona, Idaho,
New Mexico and Wyoming. They
have the balance of power in two ter
ritories and are, without doubt, plotting
for it in others.
We call upon the Christian women of
the United States to join US in urging
Congress to empower its courts to ar
rest the further progress of this evil,
and to delay the admittance of Utah
into Statehood, until this is accomp-
lisbed, and we ask you to circulate and
publish our appeal, in order to arouse
public sentiment which should be
against an abomination that peculiarly
oppresses and stigmatizes woman. 1t is
our purpose to ask names to petition
designed for Congress, and we hope,
also, that every minister of the Gospel
will commend it to the women of his
congregation, and that all Christian as
sociations will do what they can 10 OBJ
tain signatures. With the cordial CO.
operation and concerted action of the
Christian women of our land, we may
confidently hope that the great sin of
polygamy may be abolished.