The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-11-25
One Hundred Wives.

If it has the success which it deserves.
and which its reception promises, the
play entitled 100 Wives" is likely to ex-
ert powerful influence in stirring up
public feeling against the continued tole-
ration in the United States Of the Nor
mon abomination. On this account, if
Tor no other reason, we hope that the
piece will be supported by the public,
ana go the rounds of the country It
not4only gives a vivid picture Of the mis-
cries which spring from Mormon prac-
tees, but it indicates by implication the
precise way in which the work Of sup
preston should be begun. The heroine
OF the piece, whose wretched situation
furnishes 1' the groundwork of the plot,
IS one among large party Of deluded
people brought over to this country at
the instance and under the direction of
Mormon emissaries. She has been In
duced to leave her home under false pre-
lenses by the suppression of the truth
and the suggestion Of what is false, and,
once in Salt Lake City, it is physical
lmpossibility for her return. There is
more truth than fiction in this story. No
one who is at all acquainted with the
subject can doubt that such has been
the experience of hundreds or even
thousands Of unfortunate women who
have sailed across the Atlantic expect
ing to find an earthly paradise at Salt
Lake, and havingno power to help them
selves Or to make known their wrongs
when they are placed in possession of
the wretched truth
The question is, how long will the
American people allow this plague spot
to dis6gure the fair face Of the land.
Every Que will conceae that our condona-
ton Of Mormonism is national reproach.
The practices pursued by the abandoned
inhabitants Of Salt Lake City are con-
trary to the laws of the United States.
and the validity of the bill looking toward
their suppression, which Congress passed
some time ago, has been certified by the
highest tribunal in the land. President
Hayes, in his message to the Forty sixth
Congress, adverted to the matter, and
urgently advocated immediate energetic
and appropriate action. Some spasmodic
attempts have from time to time been
made to enforce the law and punish the
offenders, as well in Salt Lake City as in
any other city of the Union, but for
variety Of reasons these attempts have
come to naught, and for some time past
it seems that nothing whatever has been
done. The Mormons continue to break
the laws both Of God and man; they still
defy the Government of the United States
to make itself respected, and the immu-
nifty with which the defiance is attended
jlstifes its seeming foolhardiness.
Many reasons are assigned for our
failure to carry out the law, and it is
certain that the undertaking is attended
with enormous difficulties. But it seems
to us that a beginning has been made at
the wrong end. Instead Of attacking
the enemy in his stronghold, we should
cut off the supplies by which alone he
is enabled to maintain his resistance
The Mormon polygamists cannot gain
any recruits III this country. They are
obliged to bring the new material from
Europe, where thousands Of people are
SO sore]y driven by poverty and so be-
nigghted by ignorance that they are
ready to believe all the lies that are told
by the Mormon t'apostles. Every
month or SO we hear of fresh consign-
ment of 300 or 400 unfortunates being
sent over to swell the Mormon popula-
ton, and it is in this way that the evil is
perpetuated. There is no reason why
the landing Of these Mormon Migrants
at any American port should not be for
hidden by the United States authorities.
and when that has been done, the first
step In the solution of the problem will
have been taken.-Phil0dekph North
american.