Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-02
Vol. X....No. -

being soothed aud careased. -DistruseI
feared, and Stunned by all. they learn n
shun and hate all, and the excitement
which might have been checked by time.
| ly and judicious treatment. terminates in
hopeless madness. They become a tax
upon society,.-a burden 10 their friends
a misery to themselves. s'>s..,~
Several years have now passed away
since public attention was FIRST called to the
condition of the Insane in New.Hamp.
shire BY direction of the Legislature,
tcircular was issued TO the several towns,
calling for information, and official returns
were made. From these it is clearly as.
certained that there are now within the
limits of the State, al least tAree haadrsG
! and fifty Insane Nearly one hundred Of
these are in confinement They are sup
ported at an annual expense and loss Of
more than tacsnty thousand dollars The
situation of many is pitiable almost beyond
conception O6en chained and scourged,
without crime and without right as terror
or caprice dietates,--shut up in cages,
cellars, garrets and out-houses, they SUI
fer more than criminal rigor. They are
deprived Of the protection of the law, and
placed under the ban of public opinion
When punishment is thus dictated by fear,
and inflicted in imaginary seIf-defence 3
when conduct is so slightly controlled by
seIf-;nterest, or. by public sentiment-we
need not wonder at the preparation of fre.
quent enormities, We would not impeach
the motires OF the keepers of the Insane:
: we would not accuse of Intentional bar.
barity: but, nevertheless, with existing
fears and prejudices, cruelty must aud will
be practiced under the plea Of necessity
| The situation OF these poor Cutcasts de-.
mands alienation, for the facts are indeed
startling, and thanks to a kind Providence
Justice aud meTcys economy and charity
public good and private interest, all pon,
10 the same end and the same remedy.
The establishment of Hospitals for the
insane in several of our liberal and en-.
Iightened sister States, has settled the
question Of the acurabili:y of INSANITY
; Their success has indeed been wonderful.
Insanity IS a disease; es much SO as f.
yer, and no more 1t Is little more dan.
gerous, and may be cured almost as read.
ly by timely attention and propertreatmen'.
,, In either case, ifnot treated promptly aud
! skilfuily, delrium and death may be the
= result. But if so treated within lew
months afteEthc first attack of the disease,
more than nine out Of every ten have been
!. | restored TO health and sanity And all this
y has been, and may be accomplished alta
- cost but little exceeding the present actual
!; expense of their support
Experience las shown too that remoV'
+" al from familiar scenes and faces. aud
IS peculiar moral and medical treatment t.
be learned only by long and expensive
practice, are essential TO success. Employ
nents and recreations are necessary lib.
erty which shall not endanger safety and
j. restraint !" hich shall nota ggravate disease
These and other requisites can only te
> found in pubic Asylum. And how
q great blessing TO the individual, 10 FAM
n lies and to the community is such an in.
e stiutionl Husbands have been restored 10
wives, and wives to husbands, -parents
restored to children and children to ps.
rents, all clothed, and in their right mind"
e Those who have only been a terror, a grief
is and disgrace, have returned to their
3 homes JOY and blessing. Those who
were burden and tax upon the commu'
nifty, have now become active and useful
= citizens, Instead of being useless consum.
ers OF the~earnings of others, they are now
re producers :--instead of being supported
J. they now aid liz supporting others. They
le have been shut out too from religious
Of privileges. The light Of hope and joy
le never broke in upon their mental darkness
is Yet to them, for Frightening the gloom Of
ID despair, awakening indifference, or calm.
10 ing excitement, religious consultations are
~, doubly necessary and efectual. The voice
of religion can minister to mind di<eas'
&c ed,' when all other voices are powerIess
IL When all these facts are undeniab!e, dos
lr not philanthropy does not christian dO'
lp ty-does not pdiriotism-does not trrn
selfinterest demand the establishment in
! New-Hampshire of an Asylum for the h.
saae2 -,
At, But the question arises, How can this
ID be accomplished? In the present state Of
f. things it is clearly to be expected, even if
4 it>were onthe whole desirable, that such an
o. asylum should be founded and wholly sup
rs ported by the state. Experience provcstbo'
those institutions flourish best, where pr'
60 vate influence and responsibility are enlist
~ ed in their superintendent. individuals
- = mus, commence the work, and lay the
,s foundation. Let them unite their zesL
- their influence, and their charities in is
de- favor, and such All union will be irresisJl
n. bic. When this is done, the great pubic
E benefits to be derived, and the pubic hon.
IN or involved, will undoubtedly deter lie
= the STATE to grant liberal appropriation n
II of d o b. h