The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-29
PLURAL MARRIAGES,

Polygamy has had It's defenders among
men, and It has been submitted to by
women OF a temperament which will ac-
cept any fate in life IL they are convinced
it is a religious duty to submit. Defend
ers of the practice have advanced very
many arguments IN its favor taken from
the descriptions i'm the Bible of married
life among the ancients. but 1t il very
rarely that a thoughtful modern woman
viii advocate sharing her husbands affec-
tons with another. The present genera
ton has become so accustomed to regard
ing the polygamous condition of the Nor
mons as reprehensible that Il will be as
tonished to read the plea OF an intellec-
tual woman on its behalf.
The recent jubilee in honor of the ami
versay Of the founding Of Salt Lake City
has revived interest in the peculiar insti-
tuition which made Utah a pariah COM
munity in the midst of the civilization OF
the United States. One of them says IT
Is not excessive religious fervor which In
duces women of Mormon faith to make
their disconnected statements concerning
the suppression of plural marriages. She
admits-what cannot be denied-that re-
lIgious enthusiasm and the influence OF the
church had much to do with It. but she
makes the astonishing statement that ii is
the loss of beautiful. unselfish home life
based on a rare Utopian plan that they
decry.
The following sentence Ia particularly
recommended 10 the attention Of self
respecting women whose idea is that there
can be no true happiness in a married life
wherein there Is one husband 20 several
wives: at f. the loss OF Kind OF domes-
sc life where silly sentimentality, where
petty jealousy and hatred. has no lee way.
but a life made attractive by prscticabG-
ity. self Sacrifice, love. kindness. and an
instinct to live not for ones SELF but for
others" The ordinary wife with undis-
puted right 10 her husbands entire atten-
ton will fail 70 zee why she cannot prac-
tlce all these virtues-why. indeed. she Is
not called upon to practice them IL she de-
votes herself 10 one husband. 10 say moth
ing OF several children.
Another woman. who Is described as
In years. IS quoted as saying that plural
marriage Is the very gift OF heaven Itself:
and that she who rears tho greatest num-
Der % children In plural marriage receives
the brightest dladen in heaven. Why
should not The woman who resrs large
number OF children BY herself. Irrespective
Of what another wife might do not re-
ceive the brightest dlzdem IN heaven
The same lady says that among the Nor
mons IN polygamous days there were no
homeless women. no outcasts in society.
TO begE8rs IN the streets, no starving chill
dren. T. IS only a few days ago that
similar description was given OF the In
aisns OF Mexico where eigamy is IN
known az an Institution
Zach woman she says. has place in
soelety and in a home; she Is not only 2
helpnest 20 her husband but q helper in
the community: 'fhey weave. they spgn
'hey sew, they cultivate their gardens
they vote in municipal aTairs" NOW
what Is there n al this In consistent with
a homogeneous condition.
The Cd lady seems to BE- Ike most ola
ladies In replnIng for that which Is past
She advances 10 ore argument IN favor
G, plural marriages, She does not preesu,
the case truthfully when she SAYS. also
that the Only person 81 = Mormon family
WHO ever becomes Disconnected and un-
happy Is ths husband himself Human
catare Is not different ln Utah from that
In other places. ani any ere Who knows
arTta'ns q a wouan's disposition. her
pride IN her preraEa DIVES. and her tenarfty
ta fnatrta-uinE her rights vii be dls,n-
c..aed so believe that there Is lass 3sal-
oasy ans less r7v~lry among women mar
red % the Same r-an tksn among women
raarries cash 20 h@r eva husband.
TIE calT respect in which the view =
gre ladr guo'sd seems 50 age Win TIE
experience q mankind Is thar 3. wa
see aagss Ia takes mar o. unusual
Qualities ana ot Eoos natured tssassra-
ia@at - manage more tran ore woman -
las siteE s-t-ss&et4oa .. al concernedr