The age-herald., 1901-07-24

The followers of Joseph Smith, braving the Jeers and scoffs of their neighbors, persisted in their religious beliefs, annoy ed by the prosecutions that assailed them, moved westward from New York to Ohio, from Ohio to Illinois, from Illinois to Utah. They established themselves on the virgin prairies, wrestled gardens and homesteads from the wilderness, created industries, built towns and villages, and erected a temple. They f1ourished. They became rich. Peace dwelt within their territorian limits and happiness abided with them. After the fashion of the pa- triarchs of old, like Abram and Solomon, they took unto themselves plurality of wives. To the eastern mind, Mormonism signifed polygamy and only polygamy.
 A few years ago, Utah, the land of the pious Mormons became surrounded with territories peopled with citizens who were not converts to the inspirations and doc trines of Smith, and who looked upon the sturdy and lusty Brigham Young as very bad man. AS evidence of his wick edness they pointed out his many wives. No doubt many of these harsh critics were of old New England stock, the lin- cal descendants of those early settlers who fled from England and Holland to escape persecution at home. and who. in turn relentlessly persecuted those who would not conform to their own mar row doctrines. These critics Invented tales of woe and hardship for Mormon wives. and the whole East quivered wish indignation In sympathy with Mormon wives. Behind this persecution was the fond hope that the Mormons would again pack up their household goods, herd their cattle, abandon their fields, their towns and their cities, as they had in Illinois, and move on The fruits of their untir- ing energy, self sacrifice and manly en- deavor would fall into the hands of their covetous neighbors
 But the elders of the Mormon church met within their temple at Salt Lake City and resolved that while they could not renounce polygamy as doctrine, as an article of faith. they could. in conformity with the law of the land, abstain from it's practice. To this effect, Milford Woodruff, the president of the Latter Day Saints, issued an edict, and the practice of poly gamy ceased. The Federal government satisfied that the law of the land prevail ed, admitted Utah into the sisterhood of states
 In the east, to-day as of old, the pub lie mind Is set against poIygamy. Recent ly a representative of the state of Utah was denied seat in Congress because the claim was made that he was poly gamist In and around New York to-day Mormon elders are seeking converts, and polygamy is not preached or practiced. Nay more the Mormons who do not prac- tice poiygamy openly do not practice poly gamy secretly. The Mormon is relig- ious man and a man of virtue.
 In strange contrast to the Mormons who believe in po1ygamy but refrain from it's practice, are those of other sects. Other sects deny the doctrine but admit the practice.
 New York, Chicago. Boston and Phila- delphia are distinguished for their grand religious houses. Churches raise their steeples to the sky and their congrega- tions make use of a harsh word when they desire to name the woman suspect ed of being 'sealed" to some man save in legal wedlock. And yet, abundant evil dence is to be found on every hand that the Catholic, Episcopa1lan, Presbyterian and Baptist. Mormonism is side show.
 That the doctrine of Mormonism Is prac- ticed by gentlemen distinguished in pol itics. finance and commerce is no secret. There are widows in the highest circles of fashion who maintain themselves in