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Show 154 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES IN THE FAE WEST. above community of 100,000, 27,000 men wifeless. The natural consequence of such a state of things will lead, in the first place, to discontent, which would grow into jealousy; to tumult, ensanguined and civil controversy, moral depravity, and disorganization of all its elements. It might be said that a very great augmentation will ensue with the growing offspring, but the fair presumption is, that male and female will be equally divided. The 27,000 men would, in any case, have to wait for their chance of getting a wife, or wives, until the young folks become marriageable, which would be at the least fifteen or twenty years (something to try their patience), and most likely then be forestalled by the more youthful swains. < And it is here, in its midst, we must look for confusion and the clashing of that near consanguinity, or relationship of blood, which is considered both a divine and moral impediment to marriage; and in such a motley community, where could be found the purity of domestic intercourse-the sanctity of true affection- the pillow of female delicacy ? In every view we take of polygamy, it is a false and vicious system, neither to be reconciled with revelation, with nature, or with reason. It is destructive to society, and to all human progress. |