History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

374
MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY.
encourages, if it does not necessitate, a domestic despotism,
which, united with a religious and political
despotism, constitutes one of the worst possible of
social evils. It adds to the Mormons numbers and
strength, banding them in a peculiar brotherhood,
politically and socially.
The system is not an equitable one. There are born
a tolerably even number of males and females, so that
under this arrangement, where one man had a dozen
wives, a dozen or so men would have none. Then,
as to the relationships of the individual members, in-
justice is wrought, some of them being but little better
than those existing among animals. There is an
instinct in every woman which tells her that to be
second or third is to be no wife at all. Neglect must
exist. One man cannot properly care for so many
women and children. Even if he is wealthy, he has
not the time. Differences of origin and interests
breed jealousies, foster selfishness, and are injurious
to character. Then, when the reproductive age has
passed, there is nothing left for the wife but a lonely
and miserable old age.
Further than this, if reproduction be the chief incentive
to the plural-wife system among the Mormons,
and if it be true, as is often asserted, that as a rule
the sexes are born numerically equal, then the system
will in the end defeat its own object, for more children
will be born and cared for where there is one
man for every woman than where some women have
to go without a husband, or with a fraction of
one. It might pertinently be asked, in this connection,
what is the benefit in multiplying the population?
Are there not enough people already in the
world? and is it not better to improve the stock than
unduly to multiply it? This prevention -is practised
often for improper motives and by injurious methods;
but millions do it because they think they cannot
afford to raise children, and have no right to bring
them into existence.