Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-29
Ertrgcis from Canton, (Chma) Papers,

received at the National Gazette Office
""dgs lnon.-Tbis extraordinary man has recent
~ put forth Proclamation strictly nrobib;,iro
the wicked custom Of dGspising life and Terminating
ones own existence" .
Iae dispositions Of the people Of Canton. m.
sayI are foolish anu cruc and there is little con-
cnIu 10 DC found among neighbors. In VILLAGES
clainor and mutual insult arc the constant urnctc
ana there the ambition is "to make Irht Of If,
Death IS viewed as a return to ones own place S,;
Ciocs III canton form eight nine tenths Of untielv
ucdlhS' "hlch arc brought to the notice Of govern
ment and Of the perpetrators Of suicide SIS, op so,
tcnths are women. Some steal into an unoccrn,od
room ana hang themselves; some voluntarily throw,
themselves INTO the constant flowing river and rive
Sheii ooGieS 70 the fishes stomach. Others CRASH
knlic and cut their throats instantly
the nine streams III Hades; and on the terrace FL
which ghosts take last look of home Some e,,,i
low the Joo poison, and in the twinkinr of an o,c
are found among the demons. > ~
From the grinding scrutiny which have estaLl;-b
ca (Says the Judge 20 find out the Causes Of sucid
nave found that sumo arse from INDIGNATION that
destiny has iated them to be poor in which case tn
prefer death to life, according TO their very stuDa
ana short-slghted notions. Some wives being diso
Dedient to their fathers and mothers.in-lav On 10
ing reproved by their husbands throupb an ob.,in,,
Pcrverseness, destroy themselves. Others hav,n,,
done what IS wrong, and violated the laws heinz mn
oDle 10 escape, seek refuge in death from oilty
conscience Hndt there arc those who TO involve other
persons, destroy their own lives hopinp Tint fhci
survivors will be prosecuted and punished
The above is about ono fourth of the Judgo's rrr.
CiainatloD' The remainder consists Of arguments
and persuasion 10 avoid the crime of suicide in ,bo
mds. OF which arguments and persuasion peculiar
ana very lanenta6le case is mentioned. Not ONLY
tthe Judge says) do n perverse spirit and n ,vcl,yJ
peunachy m bad customs, prevent people seeing the
Importance OF life; but in the case Of younu women
VINO oind themselves into sisterloods and listen To c
gendary tales, that spirit and those customs make
nom oYe az innritorIOus, Disregard of life Ten
or t"eny OF these young will form Themselves
mo hock OF sisters and either from feeling Of in.
oighduon against the Destiny that rave them ey,g
tcnce IN thIs world as women, az n punishment G,r
eh imPeTectIons in former state OF beinr. or from
the dhhculiies attendant on being married 70 noo,
nSOand5 they 'grosping each others petticoafs and
sleeves; forthwith, by mutual agreement. throw,
thernt cigcs INTO the river, and are drowned This
is ''5ea-coast wicked CUSTOM" pro.eminrrtlv bnd
ana requiring instant and strict measures 10 proven
its coDtInunncc. P'1''"
rms case, IN respect of extent is we believe yor,
limited, compared with the numerous instances og
ssli'immolatlon in Indie but Judge Yaon does not
~ moment think OF standing still, and permitting
thS seimurdor TO go on, because it is voluntary ~
'''"' 'o'Wdro Indian Authorities have cor'er led