Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-01-31
FRIDAY, JAN. 25.

day is not far distant when, by Legislative
enactment, cyery Town in this State will
be compelled to .npport its Insane oor at
some proper aal approved Insane Hospital.
These Institutions are among the most
prominent beacon lights Of the age, and
they speak more loudly than anything else
in behalf of the real progress, the phildn-
thropy, the enlightenment, the christianity
OF the age. BY an ineIplicable mystery
Of Providence, Rhode ISlandl is more Sc
verely afflicted with Insanity than any 9TH
Stale in the Union by statistical results,
we leaIn tina, very much larger proper
tion of the inhabitants Of this State are de-
prived of their reason, in whole or in part,
than in any. other State. And larger
share of this fearful malady appears 10 af
fiict those who are in needy circumstances
and poSs not the means 10 obtain atten-
lion at the proper Institutions, as well as
the care and strict aid which Insanity de-
mands. Extreme poverty is a misfortune
At any time, but when it comes with that
vastly more horrible visitation of God, the
loss of reason, it is heart-rending in the
extreme.
Madness is the most direful affliction
which an All-wise Providence visits his
children with. If man is stretched upon
sick bed even for long weary years, his
sad ened hours can be frightened by the
sender cares and kindly synpathies of low
ing friends, Of a devoted wife, of dutiful
children, and others who are near and dear
10 him. lie can appreciate it all, and he
can enjoy their society. But when the
brain is on fire, when the realm e Reason,
the throne Of Thought is stormed aud
conquered, all sympathy in the unfortunate
one is gone, and those who were once most
dearly loved by him, are not unirequenily
now most bitterly hated by him, and made
the special objects Of his cunning device,
and shrewd Vaccinations. He feels no
deep and pure affection, his heart throbs
with no unsulllcd love e,-but he is monarch
of his own fancied realm, and the wild US
usper Of all power and d,minion. These
unfortunate persons, who are unable 10 pro-
vide for themselv es, should be placed at
good Insane Hospitals at the public ,e1-
pence. Let the people be taxed for it,
and let everything be done to restore the
light OF Reason, and TO calm The wild spirit.
1t is a fearful sin TO be negligent in this
respect, and permit the insane poor 10 rave
like beasts in a poor-hou9e, their stormy
and enshrouded minds constantly preylng
upon their bodies, while nothing is done to
alleviate the blight that is upon them, and
TO bring them back again TO intelligence and
10 happiness.
We desire to see an Act passed by the
Legislature, requiring the several Towns to
send every Insane Pauper to the Hospital.
and making neglect 10 do this, a penal
offence. Certainly no man who possesses
any philanthropy will object to being taxed
for this purpose none Of US know how
soon we may be stripped Of our worldly
possessions, and robbed of our health, and
then, if in addition to all this, that greater
evil come also,--if then We are afflicted
with insanity, in our lucids moments, we
should return thanks 10 God that such pro-
vision was made for US, and, above all,
that we had taken an active part, before
misfortunes gathered around US, not only to
make ourselves, bu; others, also. in meas
ure, comfortable.