Page:The Overland Monthly Volume 5 Issue 3.djvu/77



subject of inquiry to trace to what extent their theories regarding recreations were based upon a revolt—a protest against the rigid Calvinism which regarded a smile as sinful; condemned a dancer to languish in outer darkness, and a theatre-goer to endless wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was a man of far inferior powers, as an organizer and leader, to his successor, Brigham Young. During the life-time of Smith, some of his followers were in almost perpetual revolt: numerous schisms appeared, threatening often to entirely destroy the infant community. The Mormon converts have not, as a class, been made up from the ranks of irreligious men, but rather from the dissatisfied membership of the various orthodox churches: men whose ideas upon predestination, baptism, future punishment, prophecy, or some of the numerous doctrines pertaining to their original faiths, were too broad, or too peculiar, to permit them to remain in the fold. A community of zealous religionists, possessing nearly as many hobbies as individuals, would necessarily be difficult to harmonize: yet such has been the task imposed upon Brigham Young for the past twenty-five years, and in its prosecution he has attained to a remarkable degree of success. He is one of the exceptional instances, to be occasionally met in history, where a profound knowledge of men, rare executive ability, an inflexible will, a quick and ready insight into all commercial and business transactions, and a remarkable aptitude therefor, are combined with a capacity for the most extreme fanaticism in religious matters. In every thing pertaining to the Mormon religion he is thoroughly sincere. This fact has sometimes been questioned, but not by any person possessing sufficient acquaintance to make his opinion of value. No hypocrite could have stood for a moment the test to

which he nas been subjected for twentyfive years. By dint of superior zeal he has ruled unquestioned a whole community of zealots. His faith is evidenced by his labors to bring the Mormon community into contact with the outside world, having constructed hundreds of miles of railroad and telegraph lines for that purpose, when it has been evident to intelligent observers that such contact must result in the disappearance from the Mormon faith of its most cherished and peculiar doctrines and practices. His contro] over the Mormon people has been almost absolute; and this power has been exerted, as a rule, to promote the healthy development of the resources of the Territory; to stimulate the multitudes who, discouraged by the barrenness of the land, were desirous to abandon it for more fertile localities, and to secure an orderly and economical management of all Territorial affairs. Salt Lake City is by far the most quiet, orderly, and peaceable city west of New England. Drunkenness among its people is almost unknown. Deeds of violence occur at rare intervals. Burglaries and robberies are almost unheard of, and, when taking place, are usually traceable to some demoralized sportingman from the mining Territories. Gambling-houses are strictly forbidden; the observance of the Sabbath almost universal. The taxes in Utah are much lighter than elsewhere on the Pacific Coast; and Salt Lake City, as well as all the counties, and the Territory itself, are entirely free from debt.

The most noticeable peculiarity relative to Salt Lake City, and the one which, more than all others combined, has given to it a world-wide notoriety, is its revival, in an Anglo- Saxon commonwealth, of a marriage system utterly at variance with our modern civilization.

It may with safety be assumed that the polygamic theory of marriage is contrary to human nature. Were men and