The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-01-28

How the Abon,nabie system Flour.
ishes ian Utah-rhree Women Mar
ried go one Man ON the same day.
'orrcswondence TO the Lansing Republican.
SATT LAVE Crrx Ian 1870

CORRESPONDENCE TO the lansing Republican.
SALT LAKE CRY. Jan. l, 1879.
The curious features in this terrific
ry, both natural and social, possess
deep interest TO all American citizens.
They involve the rights OF certain
portion OF the people TO live in defiance
Of the federal constitution, the laws of
God aud Of man, and TO outrage by
their practices, under the pretense Of
religion, the morality Of the civilized
world. Not much longer can congress
shirk the responsibility OF regulating
this vast evil. It's growing arrogance
will soon compel the recognition Of
polygamy as a sublime virtue, or its
divine and human law
Mormonism and its vile attandant,
polygamy, are thought Of as sentimen-
tai affairs rather than detestable reali-
ties. Yet to-day this social abomina-
tion pollutes our fair land as il does no
other Christian nation on earth, setting
mp as a defense its right to live under
the constitution of the the United
States. A strong movement has been
begun the Gentiles of Utah toward Sc
curing needed penal legislation by con-
gress, and now there is imperative need
OF general and hearty cooperation of
the right-minded people of the United
States. Utah will soon knock at the
door OF congress for
ADMISSION AS STATE.
Possibly she will do so this winter, and,
if admitted with her peculiar institu-
ton. 1t will then be time for Gentiles
10 do as Brigham Young,:jr., known as
"BrigRy, said in a speech a few Sun
days since, Get out of here or take
the consequences, which means TO
come mp missing" The presence OF
United States officials and a regiment
OF regular troops are the OILY guaran-
tees of safety enjoyed by the non-Mor-
mon residents of the community.
Shortly after my arrival here in Sep
tember last, a certain Mormon elder,
named Miles, who had just returned
from mission work in Europe, was
MARRIED TO THREE W MEN.
two of whom were sisters, on the same
day. To aggravate this beastly crime
a reception was held on the evening Of
the same day at the house OF Angus N.
Cannon, ut which the three brides were
present. The two Spencer sisters came
from the southern part of the territory.
The other woman, named Owens, had
jutt arrived from England, where she
had become acquainted with her hus-
band. A personal difficulty and squab-
BILE occurred at the reception. Miss
Owens had expected TO be the tirst
wife, which is considered a great honor;
but one of the Spencer girls was older
than Miss Owens, and had a right to
be the first wife, according to the rules
of the church. Counsel was taken be-
fore the marriage of John Taylor,
president of the church, who maintain
ed the rules, and so Miss Owens bad
to be married between the two sisters.
She promised, however, to avenge her.
self, and seized on al opportunity at
the reception 10 insult wife No. by
sLAPPING HER PACE
in presence OF the company. Her hus-
band attempted to quell the disturb
ance, and rebuked shis wife, Ovens
Miles. She was high-spirited, and
rushed ont Of doors, whittier she was
/ followed, captured, and carried back
to enjoy the evenings entertainment.
The facts Of the treble marriage be-
came public. Miles was arrested on
charge OF polvgamy, brought before
the district Judge, and through the eff
/ forts of our eminent citizen formerly
Of Eaton county, Michigan), Judge p.
T. Van Zile, now u. S. attorney for
the district of Utah, the offender was
bound over for trial. Judge Van Zile
greatly distinguished himself on the
/ examination.
Mormon marriages are performed in
such manner that TO prove one is
next to impossible. There is also but
little hope of conviction, as the jury
laws are so contriyed that it is almost
impossible TO select any but Mormon
| jury. This abominable offense, how
ever, aroused the indignation OF the
/ community TO such an extent that
/ society was formed and measures taken
for active aud effective petitions to
congress. This has had the effect TO
SCARE THE MoRMoNs
| into actions which will speak loudly
against them. A mass meeting Of Nor
mon women was called for the purpose
/ OF protesting against the action of the
/ Gentiles and sustaining polygamy.
I Nearly 5000 women met in the opera
house in this city, and by a series of
/ resolutions and numerous speeches, pro-
! claimed 10 the world their shame, and
/ claimed the right under the constitu.
/ tion Of the United States 10 live their
4 religion according TO the dictates of
their own consciences. No men were
admitted excepting press correspon-
dents, one of which ] had the good for.
tune to be; and, from my seat on the
stage, the whole movements OF the
body could be observed. One remark
able fact was the lack Of any enthus-
iasm. The leaders and performers
we're all on the rostrum, and their
speeches we're written ont. Only once
during the long meeting of nearly three
hours duration was the least applause
manifested, and that marked the close
of the presidents address. II was
openly avowed by one OF their advo-
Gates that when the theory of
CELESTIAL WIVES
was first promulgated, she thought II
the most abominable thing ever con-
ceived. y Yet religious superstition,
which flourishes here in all its mighty
power amid mental darkness and moral
degradation. with the wiles and cum
ming of a. 900 bishops and elders, who
live by filching the hard-earned sub
stance of these benighted minds, is
sufficient solution Of the belief and
practice.
| am convinced that not more than
one-quarter Of the Mormon women to-
day would sanction polygamy were il
put 10 vote among them. Religious
superstition and blind zeal, which
should bring n blush 10 any American
cheek, flourish here, protecting and
strengthening one relic Of barbarism, +"
ss slavery, that other "relic OF barbar-
ism. was few years ago strengthened
and protected, although both evils
have long since been wiped out from
among other Christian nations.