Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-30
A Trip AGREES the Continent.
SEVERE Snow STORM ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
DAY AMONG THE NORMoNS
Correspondence Of THE EVENING SrAa.


Correspondence Of TEE EVENING stan.
SALT LAKE CITY, November Is 1881.
Leaving Washington last week for the Pacific
coast In company with Senator Jones, of Nevada.
slcomte D'Haussonville, OF Paris, and other celeb
rlCeS, nothing OF noteworthy interest transpired
l InIl we reached the Rocky Mountains where the
snow-crowned monarch arrested for a time our
progress and reduced us to rather short ratons tn
nus coiu and desoate dominions. The train, No 4,
detained forty-six hours at Sherman. which is
more than g goo feet above tide-water by reason OF
a heavy snow storm, which dr1fted to the depth OF
twelve and fifteen feet In the cuts and effectually
blockaded the railroad The storm we encnun
tered commenced on the night of the sth and con-
tinued without fntermisSion until the 10Th To he
hung up at such an altitude for such period.
amid the roaring winds and Wild tumults OF
ment, and perhaps hungry as the wolves
bowling Ing: around, was rather serious parody
must be confessed that there was IN much n
subllm1ty and grandeur mingled with these cir
nrndS e 81 DISAPPOINTMENT and terror The
drously displayed before our eyes, were more than
a compensation for the temporary trials of the
occasion The poet Shelley, standing on the sum
m1tS OF the Alps, gazing on the grandest and
1oveliest scenes OF nature. could write on the brow
of the everlasting rocks sThere is no God" hut no
such sentiment as this was felt by our party amid
the majesty and terror Of this startling scene
When we reached Ogden, Utah territory, the
urgently invited to stop day for the purpose OF
making visit to Salt Lake City, which lies forty
Oils OF Mormonism in America. We accepted the
invitation, and accordingly were driven TO the
residence OF Mr.. Lorin Farr, one OF the most
wealthy and influential citizens OF ogden, and who
Is the husband OF five wives and the father of
thirtynine children. These five wives with their re-
spectlye groups of children, have their distinct
ana separate dwellings assigned them, but their
houses are In close proximity and constitute a
sort OF village in the northwestern part of the
Town. we were most Hospitality entertained at
one OF these houses, where the wife was the
mother or nine children. The sons are fine speci-
mems OF physical development and the daughters
are as Intelligent, re1lned and beautiful as are
dlnar1y found In Gentle communities. They were
exceedingly polite In the attentions and seemed to
vie With each other in their efforts to entertain us
by music, conversation, etc When sumner
was announced, the writer was assigned seat at
the head OF the table and then the polygamous
progeny gathered around the Sumptu0,lS board.
the wife and mother taking the position OF one
that Serveth. Mormon wives are accustomed to
ces OF the family. They are habitually taught that
they are the mereSt nOnentitieS apart from their
husbands and that, II they are true to their liee-
lords, they will have part with them in the
first resurrection and sustain to them the relation
OF .Wifehood forever in future state 1t is this
religious idea and not the love OF carnalitv as
many Suppose,whch leads the females OF the Nor
mon faith to prefer polygamous to a monogamic
LIE. Hence we believe they are as pure in their
SuaSlOn. 1t Is due to truth to say that we have
discovered no lack OF fidelity, purity and affection
on the part of the Mormon women
Salt Lake City contains a population of 81 600
and abounds In evidences OF enterprise and pros
perlty. There are some large stores and many
elegant mansions in the city, but its greatest
attractions are the mammoth tabernacle and the
magnificent temple which is now in course of cree
tlon, The probable cost OF which is eight or ten
millions, and which when completed will rival In
grandeur and glory the temple OF Solomon at Jerl-
salem. IL Is marvellous in our eyes how a people
comparatively small In numbers and proverbaly
poor In this worlds goods, could supply the means
necessary for the erection of such a costly and
cOmmodouS building. The tabernacle. which is
the product of the genius of Brigham Young and
which comfortably seats 12O00 people, is finest
audience chamber in America. It's acoustic prop
erteS are unsurpassed in the history eccleSiaS-
teal architecture. mere whisper IS sufficient to
I'LL tnlS vast enclosure, as We aScertained by
actual experiment. The building is constructed
entirely OF wood, with a Sell-Supporting roof,
which enhances the beauty and perfection of the
workmanship.
A large majority of the population Of this place,
as would naturally be supposed, are MormOnS, and
we discovered feeling OF pronounced antagOniSm
between the Latter-day Saints and the GentieS
ALIAS the opponents OF pOiygamy. The former
Sterniy insist that their religious views are sup
ported by the Bible, are in 1ul accord with the
spirit and principles OF American Institutions and
are safe and sure preventive OF prostitution in
All It's forms and phases: while the latter as
stOutly maintain that polygamy finds no sanction
Ia the Bible, Violates the law OF the United States
makes the church large tleOcracy which alb
SorDS the functions Of civil government, is a stand
ing Insult 10 American WOmanh0Od, and tends to
the degradation OF all classes OF society These
are some or the leading facts both sides OF this
VeXed question, and we leave it to the numerous
readers of The STAR to make their own deductions
from The data herewith submitted. w.