Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-03-08
JEFFERSON COUNTY VIRGINIA. SATURDAY MARCH
BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DAUGH.
TER.

itself, it was yesterday visited by two OF
the Mormonest women in MOrmondom.
The Youngest visitor, who is by no
means bad looking, was the widow of
man named Williams, and his second
wife while in the flesh, and is the thir-
tieth or for,ieth child of Brigham Young
she don't know which. The elderly
lady was Mrs. Emeline B. Wells, the
wife of Daniel Ii. Wells, Mormon
pounder and expounder of note, the ed
itor of tie U'oman's Exponent, of Salt
Lake City. Having with Mrs. Hayes
examined the housekeeping department
of the White House, explored every
nook and Granny of the Capitol, rum.
aged through all the departments and
talked to all good-!ooking members OF
Congress, Mrs. Wells and the relict and
heir Of the polygamous Young and Will
liams determined to visit the only news
paper in Washington and make the &C
auaintance of its staff, editorial aud
rrportorial. They came, they saw and
were interviewed.
allow long have you been Mormon
wife T. said the premium interlocutor OF
the Post, who had been summoned by
telephone while the ladies were engaged
in desultory conversation.
"Nearly twenty five years
"And all that time have lived in reas-
enable peace and quiet?"
"Never had a quarrel during the
whole time? 2 -
"With husband or associate wives?
"With neither"
"What do you call the other wives OF
your husband?'
ave call each other sister"
"And what do the children call
them?"
"They call their own mother mother,
and the other wives aunt.
"Your husband was one of the high
digni,aries, was he not :"
"Yes, in President Youpg's time he
was councillor TO the President, COM
mandcr OF tie militia of the Territory,
Mayor of the Salt Lake City and one OF
the apostles.
GLOW long have you been in Utah 7
"With the first settlement. went
fran Nauvoo to Kanesyille, and from
there to Salt Lake, and there intend
to die if q roof is left over me to die
under. If your people drive us out OF
Utah there will be nothing left but
ashes. Nobody shall enjoy the fruits
of our hard labor and privations for
over a quarter century if We can pre-
vent it?
"Is that the sentiment of all the Nor
mons-male as well as female g
81 think it is. We all feel that We
would be justified in such cause.
"Do you mean that You will defy the
law of 1862 as construed by the Su-
preme Court?"
"Oh, no. We expect to abide by the
law, however unjust. Still, we cannot
undo what has been done. We are
wives and mothers. Our families have
endured for years. To attempt to en-
force that law in its retroactive sense
would be 10 break up our homes, ille-
gilimatize our children and waste our
substance. Bad, designing and avari-
cious men will urge the Government on
TO such course in the name OF morality
and religion, merely 10 enter into and
enjoy the fruits of hard labor 1t is
that that we do not intend to stand 7
'Then what do you want !"
"First-We ask for repeal Of the
law OF 1862. Failing il that, we ask
redress for all violations Of that law
since 1862. We also want such legis-
lation as will legitimatize our children
beyond all question, keep Our names
from being dishonored, and preserve
unbroken the relationship of families as
they now exist"
"1hen, in that case, would polyga-
NOUS practice be abandoned in Utahi"
81 suppose so. Here and there might
Le fanatics or enthusiasts who would
insist on breaking the law from what
they might term their religious convlc-
| tions; but, like the violators OF law else
where, they would have 10 stand the
penalty. They might get around it as
you do in more refined and moral couD-
tries-call their extra wives their mis-
tresses."
"Have you been sent here to urge &C.
ton of Congressi'
"No. We knew nothing about the
Supreme Courts decision when We lef!
| home, but we have remained at the re-
quest of our people 10 eudeavor to have
something done. The condition Of Our
co-religionists is very peculiar one.
If the law is enforced half Of the men
in the Territory could be put in jail, l,and
the women and children would s:arve.
''Isn't that an incident OF all religious
wars?"
"Not necessarily. We believed we
were doing right, and that under the
Constitution polygamy was as legal as
we considered it moral. The Congress
passed law against us and nov the
Supreme Court sustains the law. We
do not believe we have done wrong,
nor do We believe our children are ille-
gitimate; but the law says differently.
We ask, therefore, 10 be protected from
absolute ruin
"And how do you succeedi"
"Well, we find strong friends every
where. Senators and members whom
We expected the least from have shown
themselves ready to listen, quick 10 un-
derstand and disposed to act. Mrs. Spen-
Ger has helped US amazingly, and have
great hopes that law will be passed
before Congress adjourns that will give