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Show PRACTICAL POLYGAMY. whined, and scratched, and fought, they still regarded their sufferings as necessary. They were " enduring the afflic tions of this world." But suppose they desired to avail themselves of the offer? They must leave behind their children, which to all mothers would be a sore trial. And how would they u go their way," and whither would they go ? There was a population of Mormons only in the terri tory, and they would not assist them. There were no United States troops as now. It was more than a thousand miles to civilization, and they had no means to obtain tran sportation, for they were penniless. There was a tall range of mountains, almost impassable in the winter, which would have prevented a journey in private conveyances or on foot, but their destitute condition would have made such a journey as impracticable as any other. But supposing the possibility of overcoming these obstacles, what awaite4 them in a Christian community ? They had degraded them selves, unwittingly it is true, but still degraded in the light of Christianity, or even civilization. Some provision wjuld have been made for such, of course, but they would naturally shrink from the encounter. Then, if they had accepted the offer with the hope of re maining in the valley, how would they have been treated? It is doubtful if they would be allowed to remain at all, for they were told to cc go," and their influence would have been bad on others if they remained; and the fanaticisim of the people would have been so increased that thay would have been regarded as outcasts, most debased, in the eyes of their persecutors. The sermon had its desired effect to some extent I have no doubt, not because of its liberality, but, on the contrary, by more deeply crushing the spirits of the unhappy women. They had declined the alternative, then they must u round up their shoulders" and " endure the afflictions," be they increased as they might. Brigham Young's seeming cle mency was but another politic act of despotism. After what I have written about marriage relation how it is entered into and how regarded it will not be surprising |