Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-11-02

Il
his father's death, was very low, not expected 70
recover, by the same disease, FluI, Of which his
died. The intelligence Of the sad be-
was kept from him until the morning
Of the day upon which the funeral was to take
place, when il was found impossible TO longer
conceal the matter, and deemed best upon con-
s~ultation TO inform him Of the fact OF his tather's
death and trust for the consequences the IN
tellieeuce was communicated, and although no
serious results were Immediately perceptible'
vet. ever since his recovery, which was rather
slowly, his mind was unsteady, and there seemed
nothing in this world for which he cared 70 stay
the object Of his hearts fondest devotion had
been borne away. and he only longed to rest BY
his fathers side in the green grave yard. Vhe
devotion and attention Of a fond mother and the
love of brothers, who kindly endeavored to win
his thoughts from grief, produced no effect-ht'
father was gone-the world had lost its charm
the grave to him was the sweetest place OF rest
on earth, and death, the greatest boon to weary
mortals given, and by his own hand, he Obtained
what Heaven denied his longing heart. The
case presents a theme for reflection. He VINO
tempers Justice with Mercy, has now the case in
his own hands-we can only regret that, one 50
Young and to whom the world should have been
bright and fair, became so soon disguised with
earth and threw himself rashlyintoan untried ex-
|~istence. May Heaven comfort the stricken mother
and family, and pour the oil Of consolation into
their hearts as freely and fully as they have the
sympathies of our citizens.
We do not justify suicide, but there are cir
cumstsnces sometimes thrown around us in this
life, in which death is. or would seem to be, the
richest boon Heaven could bestow, and yet the
coveted source Of rest eludes the grasp OF the
weary mortal, and from some cause, nature retu-
SEES dissolution, until compelled by an overt act
from which there is no recovery. 1t may or 1t
NAV not be profitable to speculate a few moments
upon the causes which surrounded this young mar,
and compelled him to perpetrate the act which
Terminated his existence, no far as this life is
concerned, and 6yed his fate in that one beyond
the tomb. We can see no difference between the
micide who consumes his life by frequent viola
tons of the laws of God and Nature, and takes
years to complete that which, the more determine
ed mind accompllshes by one rash act, in which
the laws Of his existence are suspended and ne
Ia ushered into Eternity. Suicides are OF CON-
mon occurrence, yet they are not often seen IN
that rashness which brings the mind to a stand
and causes a feeling Of astouishment to trembie
Through every nerve. They who "shufte on thii
mortal coil" by their own hands, with the aid Of
q halter, poison, or any other contrivance or i'm
plement, evince a rashness and utter disregard
of consequences. fearful to contemplate. But
we have always thought, or, at least for years
that, were it not for Priest-craft and supersti
ton, men would lay down and die with as mucl
calmness and composure as they now lie down q
night to obtain rest and sleep away the cares o
the day. II death is but the night between thi
life and another state Of existence, why shout,
IL be clothed with go many terrorsi Is It be
cause Of its uneertainty9 If 50, sleep should 7
terrible, for we are not certain at the close OF tn
day that we shall ever see the dawn Of anothe
morn. and yet, we enter the shades Of the nigh
with perfect confidence. Why, the reason mus
be obvious to every rejecting mind, therefore,w
need not consume space by reitersting that whic
, presents itself in the strongest light. But, W
5 have been taught to associate with death th
darkness Of the grave. corruption, the crawlin
of the worms and the destruction of the bod.
and from these things the mind recoils-bu
: worse than all, there is an uncertainty about OF
| future condition, which in other ages of the worl
was made use Of by designing men, and magn
: fed into terrors for the purpose, and as q meal
Of accomplishing their own designs by workir
upon the minds Of the ignorant and superstition
. The lights of Revelation and Reason have di
d PEELED much of these relics Of the darker age
but still, there hangs by death, terrors wifi
i should not. in our opinion. clothe the passage in
y q new state of existence. II we were taug
that, to die was but to enter q new life, and tn
the grave was but the night between this life al
the new existence, and death but the sleep, I
7 grave and death would be robbed Of their te
9 rors, and the mind would view them with plea
4 ure. rather than dread and alarm But, educ
= ton and superstition have much todo with our I
ligious opinions, we are sorry to say more tn
they should under any circumstances. Weshou
be taught that God created mankind for his go
and the accomplishment Of some purpose, al
70 that to observe his laws, and do good unto o
fellow-man, would ensure a happy eTisten
~ beyond the grave, and that death was but t
/, sleep which walked US into Eternal Life!
70 cB."THE ODD Fellows LITERARY CAsKBT
for November is upon our table, and fully sustai
= the reputation the work has acquired. We a
sorry that more copiesof the" Casket" donot COZ