The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-08-01
WOmdn'S PAGE
Hnn Eliza YOun6's appeal.


of 1905 new edition of the book entitled Life II
Mormon Bondage" by Ann Eliza Young once the
nineteenth wife of Brigham Young, president of the
Mormon church, the man who perfected the hier
archa organization after the death of Joseph Smith
The work was prepared by Mrs. Young years ago
To the new edition she has added few chapters
bringing it up to date as a history OF Mormomsm
The preface to the edition Of the book appears
over the signature of Ann Eliza Young and 1t con-
ains so much of current interest to those engaged IN
the battle against polyamy that the Scmtar takes the
liberty of producing it entire 1t reads as follows
Many years have passed since as fugitive from
Mormon slavery I first related the story OF my
bondage and escape to the wondering Gentle world
Nv aim was to expose that accurSed system with IT'S
polvpamic murderous and other criminal practices.
wished to arouse the honest, truth loving people OF
America to extirpate that plague spot on the far
fame of their blood-bought native land
I gave ten years of my young womanhood to lect-
uring and writing on the facts OF which was only
too familiar, until failing health compelled me to re-
tire to private life. | had lectured from 100 to $50
times each year. | spoke truths OF which was
living witness-truths which had been burned INTO
my soul through suffering that words can never tell
cannot help thinking that these years of labor did
accomplish some good Bills making polygamy
crime against the United States were passed in con-
gress and signed by the president These, l was as
sured, were direct result OF my work THESE acts
did not remain dead letter. They were put into ex-
ansts were arrested Trials followed and in spite
of the cunning and wealth and despoc power of the
Mormon leaders and the AFFECT servlhy OF Nor
mon people, some of the offenders convicted and
imprisoned But the end is not yet The blessed
contamination for which christian people to1led and
prayed-the abolition of polygamy, that monstrous
lie of barbarism, has not been thoroughly effected
In the great struggle between the Mormon system
and the christian civilization the crafty Mormon lead
ers changed their tactics Their president MILFORD
Woodruff in 1890, issued hypocrtcal proclamation
suspending polygamy and then went and practiced
it as before. So did his faithful lieutenants apostles
bishops and elders and what not. So did their de-
uded followers. who were taught that polygamy was
sure means of eternal salvation and celestial
altation. The Mormons, finding the federal author
tiles slowly but surely gaining legal control in the
territory of Utah. sought to be freed from federal
strictions by securing the full rights of statehood
SO that they could make their own laws without inter
they gained the object in 1885, although they OBJ
liged to insert in the constitution of the state
a clause prohibiting polygamy and declaring this
clause irrevocable without the consent of the United
States. But how weak is such barrier against an
institution which, they claim, established by di
vine revelation.
A Mormon apostle has been formally admitted
into seat in the senate of the United States, the
highest council of the nation despite all the protests
of the law abiding, patriotic and virtue-loving
and women of beloved country The arrest of
Joseph F. Smith, the present president of the
Mormon church, upon the birth of his forty-third
,hd, ana the accusation OF his persistent CohaDltng
with five wives though he admitted its TRUTH brought
1pon him only the trfling fine of $500. Before a
committee of the United States senate he has since
that he still continues the practice and is
Justified in doing Yet these terrible, undeniable
acts have stirred little show of indignation
interest among the mass of the American people,
calmly and carelessy congress conferred independent
tatehood upon an organized band of INSCRIPTIONS
raitors Who account for such undiscerning leg
slation such criminal laundering? Who can ex-
lain such inertia such stupidity on the part of our
ighest law makers?
Mormonism, that mysterious product of poorly edu-
ated but wildly enthusiastic American fanatics of
he nineteenth century, is still plainly spreading and
sing its Influence amid the linlat md