1870-02-03-New York Herald-Overland Journey and Visit to the Mormons

Overland Journey and Visit to the Mormons

New York Herald, 3 February 1870, p. 8.

Mr. H. W. Raymond, son of the late editor of the New York Times, delivered a very interesting and lively lecture last night at the Eastern Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, at the rooms 473 Grand street. The room was crowded with the members of the association and their lady friends.

Mr. Raymond gave a very picturesque and graphic description of the overland journey, including an account of the comforts and discomforts of railroad travelling along the Pacific road. All the noticeable points on the journey from New York to Sacramento, the capital of California, 3,200 miles from New York, were glanced at in a manner that was extremely attractive and interspersed here and there with well told jokes.

From Sacramento Mr. Raymond retraced his steps 800 miles, in order that he might have a look at the Mormons. On approaching Salt Lake City the most noticeable feature was the huge egg-shaped tabernacle that towered above every other building. A more beautiful location for a city could be scarcely conceived.

The lecturer was of an opinion that the religion of the Mormons was a cloak for immorality. He was fortunate enough to arrive at the city in time for the semi-annual conference of the Mormons, when there was a gathering of these people from all parts of the world. The church is capable of holding 6,000 persons, and the platform 1,000 more. Behind the platform was an organ second in quality to none in the United States. The government of the Mormons, whatever it might be named, was really Brigham Young. In the language of one of his disciples, "Brigham Young is the Lord and the Lord is Brigham Young." Brigham Young was a good father and he (the lecturer) was assured that Brigham had only thirty wives. The revenue of the Mormons was only half a million a year, but Brigham Young returned last year as the income the small sum of $440.

As to polygamy, it was the foul spot of the whole system. Mr. Raymond said he saw one man there fifty years of age married to a young woman of sixteen, and another of the same age married to his stepdaughter, thirteen years old. The Utah Gospel Daily Reporter wishes Mrs. Stowe to come out and write a book on incest.

The lecturer concluded a remarkably good lecture by expressing a hope that government would maintain the laws of the land in Utah even if it had to do it by military rule.