Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE PATHOS i Indignity of the Ee "Wife in Marmor Set ] Dr. George II. Hepicor, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.-It has been my privilege to converse with some plural wives. There are three classes of them those who defend the system, or rath er who pretend to defend it, on physi ological grounds: those who accept it just as a woman marries 'for money in other parts of the world, and whose person is practically her capital in trade, from which she acquires ahorne and pleasant and luxurious surround ings, and lastly those who regard the relation as a great .sacrifice of self in the name of religion, because it is the revealed will of the Lord, which will ultimate in a great reward in some oth er world. For the first class I have only con tempt, and find it hard to believe in their sincerity; for the second class I have the same feelings that are engen dered in New York or elswhere when I know that the bride has bartered her honor for social position and wealth, and for the third class I haye so pro found a pity that I can find no words to express it. Polygamy exists in contradiction to a woman's nature, and some over whelming motive mu?t be brought to /"> bear to compel her to submit to it. ( So true is this that ii was many years after it bad been revealed as a dnty before the head of the church dared to make public proclamation of it. Mor monism had nothing of polygamy in it during the first few years of its ex istence. In 1843 the revelation was made to Joseph Smith, and it began to be whispered that the Lord had something new for his people. When the nature of this something new was transmitted from one to another there was not only excitement but aversion among the women, and aversion so vehement that it was not considered safe to re fer to it in public. The poison wa*- , allowed to circulate through the com- \ inanity for nine full years. At the end of that time it was thought that the secret leaven had sufficiently lea vened the whole lump, and then, but not till then. Brigham Young, who was then the great genius of Mormon ism, a very Napoleon, in miniature, issuei a manifesto, in 1862, so strong in its language and startling in its statements that it took the people's breath away. The revelation declared that polyg , amy was to be established among the faithful. That it was not only an act of righteousness to take plural wives, but a command so imperative that, to quote its language, "if ye abide not that covenant then are ye damned, for.no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into My glory." In spite of the fact that it has the odor of sanctity about it, polygamy is pure animalism, and has produced very little happiness. Of course, this is denied, bu Ixam profoundly con vinced of tue truth of both of these statements. I have heard of one woman who de clared she would rather be the wife of the poorest Mormon in the land than of the President of the United States, if he was not a Mormn. I suspect there is a bit of evasion here, however. Did she refer to being the first wife, who never fails toboast that she is the legal wife, or to the third or sixth or nirth wife, whose children even here suffer from the fact that, while ecclesiastically legitimate, there is otherwise a half cloud over thc claim. I have heard of another Mormon wo man-I say woman becouse I dou t lik^ thc word lady-who asserted that in all her acquaintance she did not know a single happy polygamous household. Perhaps these are both extreme statements, and the truth lies somewhere between them. A very significant and very pathetic story was told me the other day, from which you can draw jour own inferen ces concerning this system. A child of nine years was greatly puzzed by the relations between her father and mother, and asked her mother to ex plain it, but in some way the question was avoided. Not satisfied, she sought information elsewhere, but still found I evasion. When later on she was at play with a Gentile schoolmate, she burst into tears and cried out: "I | don't knofa why it is, but I haven't any really real papa a-< you have. My papa only visits mamma once in a while, and that is all I ever see of him." As avery g ?od illustration of family life among these Mor mons this true incident serves its sad purpose. When a young girl in the east mar ries her lover, there are dreams and visions and plans in which the two are all in all to each other. They begin life that way, and there is romance and poetry in it; there is also a sa credness which only the conscionsness OF POLYGAMY. lafcions of the [Plural idom Graphically J:orth. % in Xcic York Herald. . of fidejity can afford. Each has thc whole of the other without auy subdi vision of affection. Herein lies do mestic bliss. Not so in Mormon ter ritory. Thc whole experience takes a different complexion. If the womau is thc mau s first wife she is compara j lively happy, but a black cloud hangs j over her nevertheless. Another wo man may at any time intrude and gain ; the affection of her husband, j If the second is more attractive than I the first, then thc first suffers neglect When the number gets to bc six or seven, with an equal number of estab lishments to maintain, there is either domestic despair or pandemonium, and a painful rivalry as to which can cap ture the mau and obtain from him the largest gifts. As to home life, well, there can he no home life to a man who has six families. He flits from one to the other and leaves jealousy and bitterness in all. The level on which these things ex ist is shown by the remark of a young girl the other day. Pointing to the residence of a plural wife who seemed to be well provided for, she said: "I would rather be the third wife of that man and have a horse and carriage than the only wife of a poor man who would make me do the house work." That is the commercial view of mar riage, but where is the glory of it, the sanctity of it, the happiness of it? The marriage certificate is nothing more than the legal document which compels a man to support a mistress, and to issue such a certificate as this in the name of religion is pure blas phemy. There is not a woman on the face of the earth whom I pity as I do a plural wife. I mean, of course, a woman who submits to thc indignity of the relation from religibus principle. She has to tear herself all to pieces before she can pield to it.- Being a woman she craves all the love her husband gan give, but it is denied her by the Lord. She accpts her fate as she would any other affliction with what measure of resignation she can corn command, gives her affection to her children, educates them as best she may, sighs her way through life and eagerly looks forward for some reward in another world which shall sufficient ly repay her for her awful sacrifice. I have had several interviews with cul tivated Mormon plurals, and I did not leave them without feeling that a wo man can do anything, however horri ble it may be, at the the call of what she deems her duty. One woman said to me: "I don't ac cept plural marriage. A great many, the majority of Mormons do not. I suppose I am not exalted as I should be. I can't be good enough for that. I don't believe there is a house, not even a to tu, large enough to hold the two wives of one man." "How. then, does it come about?" I asked. "Well, if a child is brought up that way, lives in that atmosphere, she naturally thinks of nothing else. If there is a certain moral standard in the community, you measure yourself by that standard. If your elder or bishop tells you that somehing is right, if it is preached'as a require mer.t of God from thc pulpit, why, whom can you trust if not your spirit ual adviser? And yet in spite of all that three-fourths of thc Mormon wo men refuse to be second or third wives. The younger generation vehemently repudiates polygamy." When chatting with another, I said: "Can several wives be happy under thc same roof?"' "I have known of cases," she an swered. I was intimate in thc family of Brigham Young when I was in my teens, and a happier family I never saw. There was never any bickering there. But then he was a most remarkable man, and any woman j would be glad to own a tenth part of him." "Yes, but as a general thing?" I suggested. She threw up her hands. "Well, you have perhaps noticed that the different wives li ve in diff?rent hous es. Each has an establishment of her own. It works better in that way. It is a law of nature that women don't like to share their husbands with oth ers, but if they must do it, they don't want thc matter brought to their at tention, as would bc the case if all thc wives were under one roof." The two motives which lead to plural marriages may be illustrated as follows, if I may be permitted to reit erate: A young girl is induced to leave her home, say io Norway. She has had to drudge for a living. Her environ ment here has the charm of novelty. She has not known any thing of po lygamy, or has had no appreciation of the reality. She has a pretty face, is healthy, wholesome, and therefore at tractive. Tier knowledge of Mormon ism is of thc most superficial ch ar ac ter. Her education in any direction is slight. She is in a community where plural marriages arc regarded as sacred. Her natural abhorrence gives way before public opinion. Ev erybody believes it, can it then bc so bad? She sees plural wives living in comfort, possibly in luxury. They are received in society and welcomed as thc most advanced religionists. Some man offers her a home. To ac cept will not hurt, but rather add to her social standing. Love, of course, as wc understand it, is out of the question, and as to conscience, why not do as others do? Thc conditions of affairs herc convinces her, and if later on she has any regrets, and they often do to my personal knowledge, why she has taken the step and must live her life as best she can. That is one instance. Now for thc other. A yoting girl has a profound relig ious nature. She wants to do some thing for the Lord. Even martyrdom has its attractions. She would live for heaven not for the earth. She is told that Christ is very soon coming to the earth to reign, and that souls are waiting in the other world to be born into this, that they may take part in that kingdom. She can assist them in this noble object, and it is for this reason that men marry many wives. She may long for the love of a husband, for the exclusive right to him, but duty should come before self To be sealed to a man, to rear a family is God's work, and she has been called to it. She will have the gratitude of angels if she submits. So, from a purely religious feeling she surren ders. Home? That is a secondary consideration. Happiness? That is another word for selfishness. Poor creature she starts at the wrong end of natural law and reaps tears and sor rows, but she does her duty and will be blessed of God. There are other motives, some worse than this, but none better. It is indeed martyrdom. I can't understand how intelligent people can think along these lines, but they do 2nd they think honestly, too. For heaven's sake Ictus have a con stitutional amendment which will dis sipate this delusion. Blood Poison aud Cancer Cured by B.B.B. Trial bottle sent Free. Deadly Cancer of the face, neck, legs, lip, eating cancer or sores, cured byB. 13. B.-Botanic Blood Balm. B. B. B. cures by driving the deadly, virulent poison, which causes cancer, out of the blood. This is the only cure and B. B. B. is the only remedy that can do this. In the same way B. B. B. cures Blood Poison whether inherited or acquired, producing ul cers, painful swellings, blothes, pim ples, copper-colored spots, falling of the hair, sores in the throat or tongue, scrofula. B.B.B, has made hundreds ol' permanent cures, and is a thor oughly tested, powerful Blood l?cme dy. Cures where all else fails. Test ed tor 30 years. To prove its curative powei*we send a sample bottle free to an} one who writes for it. Large bottles for sale by all druggists for SI, or 6 bottles (full treatment) $1 For sample bottle address Blood Balm Co., 380 Mitchell St., Atlanta, Ga. - Some information is furnised by a well-known scientist in regard to the ages of trees. He assigns to the pine tree 500 to 700 years as a max iraum, 425 years to thc silver fir and 170 to the ash. It takes but a minute to overcome tickling in the throat and to stop a cough by the use of One Minute Cough Cure. This remedy' quickly cures all forms of throat and lung troubles. Harmless and pleasant to take. It prevents consumption. A famous specific for grippe and its after effects. Mvar.s Pharmacy. - S ay m old Storey-What are you going to give your wife for a Christ mas present? Tudder man-I'm try ingto find out which she would rather have-a tender young turkey or a new set of tech. As acure for rheumatism Chamber laiu s Pain Kalin is gaining a wide reputation. J>. B. Johnston, of Rich mond, Ind., has been troubled with that ailment since 1862. In speaking of it he says : "I never found any thing that would relieve me until I used Chamberlain's Pain Balm. It acts like magic with me. My foot was swollen and paining me very much, but one good application of Pain Balm relieved me. For sale by Hill-Orr Drug Co - Maud-Do you know I really believe that Tom is going to propose. Ethel-I noticed that he was looking terribly sad about something or other; but then, you know, dear, it may not he that. Perhaps his mother is ill, or he isn't feeling well himself. My son has been troubled for many years willi chronic diarrhoea. Some timo ago 1 persuaded him tn take some of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea ttemcdy. After using two bottles of the 25-cc nt size he was cured. 1 give this testimonial hoping some one similarly afilie ted may read it and bc benefited.-THOMAS C. BOW ER, Glencoe, < >. For sale by Hill Orr Drug Co. - "A woman," said the cynical bachelor, "won't tell her age and \ on't keep any other secret." DeWitt's Little Early Risers purify the blood, clean the liver, invigorate the system. Famous little pills for constipation and liver troubles. Evans Pharmacy. W. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT. Conducted by the Indies of the W. C. T. LI. ol" Anderson, S. C. A Barrel of Whiskey. A barrel of headaches, heartaches and woes, A barrel of ourses, a barrel of blows, A barrel of tears from a world-weary wife; A barrel of sorrows, a barrel of strife; A barrel of all unavailing rcgn-t: A barrel of cares and a barrel of debt; A barrel of crime and a barre! of pain, A barrel of ever blasted and vain; A barrel of falsobood, a barrel nf cries That fall from the maniac's lips as lie die?; A barrel of a^ony, heavy and dull; A barrel of poison-of ties nearly full; A barrel of liquid damnation thur, (ires The brain of th? fool who beiievos it in spires; A barrel of poverty, ruin and bliyhf; A barrel of terrors that grow with tho night; A barrel of hunger, a ba-rel ofgroaus; A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moat::;; A barrel of serpenta that hiss as they pass From the bead ofthe liquor that glo ws in the glass. Thc Last Words of a Drunkard. The following was taken from one of the lectures of J. J. Talbot, who died from the effects of a drunken de bauch at Elkhart, Ind.: "But now the struggle is over, lean survey the field and measure the loss es. 1 had position, high and holy. The demon tore from around me the ropes of my sacred office, and sent me out churchless and Godless, a very hissing and by-word among men. Af terward I had business, large and lu crative, and my voice was heard in the large courts pleading for justice, mercy and right. But the dust gath ered on my books and no footfalls crossed the threshold of the drunk ard's office. I had money ample for all necessities, but it took wings and went to feed the coffers of thc devils that possessed mc. I had a home, formed of all that wealth and the most exquisite taste could buy. Thc devil crossed its threshold and the light faded from its chambers; the fire went out on the holiest of altars, and lead ing me from tho portals, despair walk ed forth with me and sorrow and an guish lingered within. I had chil dren-beautiful to me at least as a dream of the morning-and had so en twined themselves around their fath er's heart that no matter where it might wander, overcame back to them on thc wings of a father's undying love. The destroyer took his.hand in his and led him away. I had a wife whose c har such that to see her was to remcmue j and to know her was to love her. Thirteen " ears we walked the rugged path vi life together, rejoicing in its sunshine and sorrowing in its shade. The infernal monster would not even spare me this. I had a mother who for long years had not left her chair, a victim of suffering and disease. Her choicest delight was reflecting that the lessons taught at her knee had taken root in the heart of her youngest boru, and that he was useful to his fellows and an honor to her that bore him. But the thunderbolt oven reached there and did its most cruel work. Other days may cure all but this. Ah, me! never a reproach from these lips; only a shadow of unspoken grief gath THE SYRACUSE WOOD I Guaranteed to give perfect sa GET ONE AND TRY IT, and back to us and we will cheeriully '. turn the land where others have failed. See the work of our TORRENT land like Turn Plows, aud is the best I placed before the American people as a wc will be glad to show it to you, and s contemplate buying a Cutaway Harrow buy. lt is only about two-thirds as he.* Harrow. We have a full and complete Agricultura Hardware, Machinery And everything usually kept in a first are right. We have a larg-e stock of SHO" empty and loaded SHELLS, aud even equipment. Remember to come in and see us v THE PLACE FOR BICYCLES, SU Have your repairs done by tl and guarantee it. THOMSON crcd on her dear old face; and ouly ; tender hand laid more lovingly upon my head; only a closer clinging to thc cross; only a piteous appeal to heaven if her cup was not atlast full. And while her boy r iged in lu's wild de liriums 2.000 miles away, the pitying angels pushed thc goldon gates ajar, and thc motlier of the drunkard enter ed into rest. "And thus I stand, a clergyman j without a church, a barrister without a brief or business, a father without a child, a husband without a wife, a son without a p:irent, a man without a hope-all swallowed up in a maelstrom of drink."' It pains us to read thc death, on thc evening of Dec. 3rd. in Charleston, of Lucius Cushbcrt Roach, the husband of the State President. Let us not ; fail to ask for the stricken widow in j her sure bereavement the constant support of Christ's: never-failing love. W. C. T. i'. EDITOR. Counsels that are given in wine. Will do no good to thee or thine. If the salnon is a blessing we will stand by it, but if it is a curse we I must stand against it. Thc law should require that cv \ cry bottle of whiskey should be la ? beled, "Poison, foroxternal use only." The devil's face may bc seen with out a mask, by taking a look at the drunkard's home. Drinking beer never brings good j cheer to the wife and family. I -' The Last Opportunity. The late Colonel Robert G. Inger soll, the famous skeptic, told many stories of experience which grew out of thc common knowledge of his skep ticism. One of these related to a visit which he once made to Rev. Philips Brooks before Dr. Brooks be came a bishop. Calling on Dr. .Brooks, he was re fused admission because, as the serv ant said, it was "sermon day," and some of Dr. Brook's own home people had already been denied admission. But Dr. Brooks learned that Ingersoll was at the door and sent out word that he should come in. After the interview, and as Colonel Ingersoll was about to leave, he said: "Dr. Brooks, your man told me that you had denied yourself to some of your home people this morning. Now, how is it that you have admitted me, a stranger?"' "Oh, that's ''uite easy," said Dr. Brooks, laughing. "They are my church members, and I shall see them a^ain, herc or in HeaveD; but isn't it right for me to consider your belief and that I shall probably never meet you again?"-Youth's Companion. - Men continually forget that hap piness is a condition of mind and not a* disposition of circumstance. Drs. Strickland & King, IXElVriSXS; OFFICE Iii MASONIC TEMPLE. Oas and Cocaine used for Extract? i ni; Teeth._ HO STEEL BEIM PLOWS. tisfaction or money refunded. if you are not pleased with it bring it IlEFUND YOUR MONEY. They CUTAWAY HARROW. It tums the larrow for the farm that has ever been , labor aud time-saver. Come in aud ?how you the work it does. If you r don'r fail to see this one before you ivy to pull as thc common Cutaway i line of all kinds of il Implements, Fittings, class Hardware Store, and our prices r GUNS, SHOT, POWDER, CAPS ?thing connected with the SportmanV, rheii in the city. SHOCK BROS. INDRIES, ETC. hem. They do first-class work, I CYCLE WORKS, THE BICYCLE PEOPLE. HAVE NEVER' <?L V Tried ?he^rea? 1| system regulator i I Decau?e?bey think if is I nasty and bife disagreeable Ito the stomach and violent l in action. I ASK THCSF; They will Tel I you ii is 'not ai al! disagreeable. .\nd as a cure for Ir)d??es1ior>, Cons?ipstior), Kidney k kDi5order??tisun excelled, Evans Pharmacy, Special Agents. MEAHACKE, NEURALGIA, LA GRIPPE. Believes all pain. 25c. all Druggists. fit bi Credit only to those who pay, but for fear your mem ory is a little shaky will remind you we need our money. Let us put on Heavy Wagon Wheels for you. PAUL E, STEPHENS. Notice to Creditors. ALL persons having demands against Hie Estate of John P. .Sitton, de ceased, are hereby notified to present them, properly proven, to the under signed, within the time prescribed by law, and those indebted to make pay ment. SAMUEL SITrOX, Ex'r. Dec 6,1S91J 24 :} Notice to Creditors. ALL persons having demands against the Estate of E. D. McAllister, deceas ed, are hereby notified to present them, properly proven, to the undersigned, within the time prescribed by law, and those indebted to make payment. S. R. TIMS, Adm'r. Dec G, 1S99 24 3 WHY YOU SHOULD BUY . BECAUSE They Beautify, Protect aud Preserve your property. BECAUSE Adhere to WOOJ, tin, iron, galvanizsd iron, stone or tile. BECAUSE PAR?AM PA5NTS Are guaranteed not to crack, chalk, peel, rub off nor blister. BECAUSE PARIAN PAINTS u-e not affected by salt water or sea breezes. / BECAUSE PARIAH PAINTS Are not affected by ammonia, carbonic, sulphurous or other gases. BECAUSE PARIAN PAINTS Produce a high gloss, cover perfectly, are the handsomest and most durable Paints ever placed upcn'Jthe market. Every gallon gu ai an teed. Sold only hy F. B. GRAYTON & CO. JOHN A. HAYES Sells HYNDS' Homa-mad* SHOES-Home-made Leather Honest Work. Honest Leather, Honest Prices. THE largest Shoe Factory and Tannery South. The BEST SHOES made in the World. The only combined *hoe Factory and Tannery in the United States. A Solid, First-das*, A No. 1, Best Gainesville Shoes. If you want cheap, shoddy, paper shoes don't buy these-ours will not suit you, but if you want the bent Shoes at popular prices buy ours, they will please you. The prices range from Fifty cents to Five Dollars a pair; any price you want. They are the cheapest because they are the beat; made of our own pure Oak-bark Tanned Leather, '*Sofr, Elastic and Strong." Nothing equals it for wear, and thai ie what you want. Try one pair and you will buy them again. Buy our best quality. _$4.00 and $5.00 Shoes for $3.00 and $3.50. j " The Best Company-The Best Policy." ? L A OF NEWARK, N. J. r ? This Company has boen in successful business for fifty-four years : bas f . paid policy-holders over .$105,000,000, and now has cash assets of ovw Y * $?7,??O.OC"0" It L-eues the plainest and best policy on tho market. After TWO L ? annual r remiums have been paid it- V f,r. . ....,,,,.,(, f 1. Cash Value. :>. Extended Insurance. 5. Incrvntes- ?. < Va ? I 2 Loan Value. 1. Paid-up Insurance. lability. T 4 Also I'ajs Large Animal Dividends. r j M. M. MATTISON, L * State Agent for South Carolina, ANDERSON, S. C., over P. O. t < *5?, Resident Agent for FIRE, HEALTH and ACCIDENT Insurance. f !" ?j & H ? ti H H C > > H H S z ?S B ? g ? Si ,^T FsW 2 g G ^ ?3 0 *l a I ' 0* W ?a H 2 r a H * K-| 0 ? 3 OD > 5 2 " H^-3^ i-i CC P BOYS' STEAM LAUNDRY ! The Most Complete and Up-to-Date Laundry in the State. Every Machine the latest improved, and designed to do most perfect work Under thc superintendence ol' an experienced Laundryman, with a oorps of skilled assistants. Every piece of work carefully inspected, and no sorry work allowed to pass from Laundry. PRICES LOW. Quality of work unexcelled. Give ns a trial. W. F. BABB, Business Manager. Located at rear of Fant's Book Store.