Wichita eagle., 1888-09-14
MORMON MARRIAGE.
POlYGAMY AS A PART OF THE
SAINTS REVEALED RELIGION.

SAINTS REVEALED RELIGION.
A Third Wife to Take Down the Airs of
the Second-The Married Mormon Al.
ways in Society Looking for Another
Partner.
Mormon plural marriage is both overrated
and moderated as q part Of the Mormon
polity. It is overrated as the whole of the
system, and without which it win dissolve
or will be unobjectionable 1t is moderated
as practice not essentially belonging to
their system, and which they viii easily
abandon. In the first place, If polygamy
were to cease, ell the objections would re-
main to the Mormon system as theocratic
dominion Of absolute powers, hostile to all
other people, and by its very nature in an
tagonism to the national government In
the second place, plurality Of wives has been
given to the saints by revelation through the
prophet and founder of their church, cor
roborated by the Jewish Scriptures, exem-
plifed by the patriarchs Of the chosen race,
whose daily walk was close with God, made
Mormon duty by giving higher being in
heaven to the saint and his wives in proper
ton to their number, elevated by the suffer
ing Of persecution, and strongly worked into
the social life.
FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD.
II they would give up polygamy, all objec-
lions to Mormon state would remain But
they will not give it up. 1t is so much part
OF their revealed religion that the first wife
cannot refuse consent to another without re-
nouncing the church. The system makes
her give the second and the following to her
husband in the secret rites Of the Endowment
house. And she finds it good to bring in q
third to take down the airs Of the second, and
so on. Having had her turn in the mans
love, she takes her turn in intrigue Of spite
and revenge And the man, obliged by re-
igious duty, watched over by the church
authorities in case he can support another
wife and does not gather her, and promised
higher being in the next world, where his
wives are counted to his glory, finds also moro
social pleasures in plurality Of wives in this
world than is generally thought.
The common GENTLE idea Of the state Of
polygamous marriage is of the Bible
patriarchs, and it is elevated above the social
part. 1t thinks not of the difference between
the homogeneous marriage, by which the
man settles down." and the polygamous
marriage In which the man still continues q
marrying man-is more in the market than a
single man, and is soon looking for new loves,
instead Of patriarchally presiding over his
household. Thus it is that the married Nor
mon is society buck, and that be continues
a buck in society as long as be lives. The So
ciety customs are formed to promote this
The theater and the "Social hall" for balls
and other parties, are regular means Dane
ing is a means Of polygamous grace Eth
quette requires the saint to dance once with
each wife, and then he Is free to go for the
maidens, leaving the wives to befio wer the
wall.
ALWAYS A MARRYING NAN.
It is difficult to conceive the social differ
ence made by a system in which the married
ways on the lookout for another. Without
any cornpunction he goes about as gallant
or lover. He runs courtship to any length
and heat, while his wives are enjoying
themselves" at home This liberty has
evolved the custom Of long courtships. How
pleasant to the wives when the man dresses
In his best and goes abroad seeking to de-
YOUR. They cannot ask him where he has
spent the evening. He is doing saints re-
ligious duty, and is thereby exalting their
cCouC VI LClLS AL uu6 0eAG NOIlu. Auu tu6
good man makes religious duty a carnal
pleasure This works great deal of court
ing and many marrying chances to the girls
The old bucks and the young bachelors COM
pete for them. And they accept the situa-
ton with alacrity, each thinking she will be
the favorite wife and enjoying her triumph
over the rest.
This is Of polygany at Salt Lake City,
and among the rich and well to do. But it
has all degrees and phases according to
humen conditions and human nature, down
to that in which the taking Of another wife
is the addition Of another servant to support
the man. Nor is this limited to the poor.
Naturally it hardens the heart Of the man
toward his wives, makes him insensible to
their feelings, and puts them into lower
sphere. But besides being made religious
duty, IT engages the pride, pleasure, passion
and interest Of the man. And they have no
doubt Of its Righteousness. In conversation
with one Of the pioneers on their religion,
the remark that polygamy did not seem es-
sential, and that the dropping of it might
promote peace and their welfare, brought
the impregnable answer: "Do you believe
tho BibleF' They are a fearfully biblical
people. Mornonism is bigger problem
than is thought. It has come to stay.-Sam-
uel Rockwell Reed in Cincinnati Commercial
(2azetta