The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-24

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In the Journal of Thursday Mr.. Joseph,
or Noblesville, denies the existence of
polygamy in Utah, and asserts that L have
''juggled the truth" He says: 1.-THE Nor
mon people are not practicing polygany as
a religion, but on the contrary, have re-
nounced it publicly in their ward, state and
general conferences" I must presume that
Mr.. Joseph does not mean to state an I'M
truth. He, therefore, must be ignorant of
the facts. 1t is true that the Mormons did
twice publicly, in the state conference, re-
nounce polygamy. but many of them con-
tinued to live with and cohabit with their
plural wives, as the birth of polygamous
children has abundantly proved. There is a
town of not more than 5000 inhabitants.
within fifty miles of Salt Lake City, in
which there are twenty-eight men living in
polygamy. We have their names and know
VINO they are. Mr.. Joseph will probably
ask why we do not prosecute them. Simply
because the Mormons have the prosecuting
offices In the town of Gunnison the naTneS
polygamy were published, with full account
of their polygamous relations and the re-
suits of the same. The gentlemen did not
deny the soft Impeachment, but Mr.. Joseph
does In another town there are forty gen
tlemen living in polygamous relations, and
one OF them has been appointed postmaster,
but Mr.. Joseph does not know or recognize
the fact. Careful statistics have been gath
cred from tWenty-one postoffice towns out
side OF Salt Lake City and Ogden which
show that there are about 1900 polygamists
in Utah, but Mr. Joseph does not know it.
recently listened to young married woman
addressing five or six thousand people in
the Tabernacle, mostly young men and
women. In that address she informed her
auditors how a young lady got the testi-
mony that poygamy was right, and she
would be willing to marry a certain gentle
man If he had fifty wives" But Mr.. Joseph
% hot Varlrr I,
L have in my possession a copy of the May
number Of the Mormon Magazine, which B.
FL, Roberts. the polygamist congressman
deliberately the divine right of poygamy
But Mr.. Joseph tells you ''polygamy has
been renounced.' Mr.. Roberts says in that
article: 1T appears to the writer that mod
ern Christians must either learn to tolerate
polygamy or give up forever the glorious
hope of resting in Abraham's BOSOM" But
Mr.. Joseph says "polygamy has been re-
nounced." At a recent conference held in a
town south of Salt Lake City polygamy
was brought to the front and urged upon
the young people, as reported by the Salt
Lake herald, the paper that supported Roo
erts for Congress. But my good friend
Joseph affirms that it has been renounced
that is, given up. / could fill your columns
with facts of this character. The president
of the church and several high officials
made oath that the intent of the manifesto
renouncing polygamy was that they should
cease their polygamouS relations with their
wives. But they have not done so, as the
gathered statistics show.
Mr.. Joseph says they are caring for their
plural wives" If that were all no one could
object / personally know some who have
made provision for plural wives-have
given them homes, set apart property fer
their use. All honor to them. That was
right and those who have done that nave
the esteem of law-abiding citizens But, I'M
fortunately for the credit of the State OF
Utah, many more, under the guise of caring
for plural wives. are continuing their I'M
lawful polygamous relations. as the birth OF
polygamous children proves. Mr.. Joseph's
insinuation that Mormons want the
plural wives is unworthy of him, and needs
no reply He should not judge his nom
Mormon friends by his own inclinations and
desires. >. Il. WISHARD.
INDIANAPOLIS Dec. %.