The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-22
Estimate of Human Life in the United States.
lErom the London Churchman Luna I


From the London Churchman, June l.
We have no means at hand for Judging whether
the crime of murder is more or less frequent in the
United States than in England among those classes
to which the majority Of murders are found to be-
long In this country; but we presume that there
can be no doubt whatever that in the United States
much higher class of persons tolerate, contem-
plate, and commit murder-that they keep in their
houses, and carry about their persons, deadly wea
pons, not for protection from burglars and highway
robbers but for use against those of their own sta
ton, and with whom they are in daily (perhaps
friendly intercourse.
English noblemen and gentlemen wore swords, and
sometimes drew them upon their friends, but this
was manifestly remnant of a military and chival
rous system which had been universal in the most
civilized countries OF Europe. They inherited their
rapiers and their lances from long line of ances-
tors. No such plea can be offered for "bowie
knives" and "revolyers;' they have been brought
into use in the most civilized age the world has yet
known, and in a country claiming to stand in the
front rank Of civilized nations.
Surely this is a matter which calls loudly for the
most serious and prompt attention of every Ameri-
can who desires to see his country really civilized:
and it speaks with still more powerful voice to
those men and women who wish to see 1t truly
Christian. Wrong, and most inconsistent with Their
professions the practice of slavery is, it really
seems almost less revolving, less baEbarous and less
antiChristian, than the placing "bowe knives" and
"revolvers among the ordinary domestic furniture,
or personal apparatus of gentleman.
That we are not guilty of any exaggeration in this
matter is proved by the narratives which come be-
fore from time to time, and by the experience Of
those who have resided in the United States. OF
these narratives publish specimen this week, in
which it will be seen that even IN New York and
its vicinity members of two of the learned profess
sions-gentHmen therefOre--havng some domestic
dispute, the one puts pistol in his pocket before
calling on his friend, while in the course of the dis
cussion, the other takes out his revolver mere
ordinary affair.
~
"unsex" some of the women of the United States,
and in the case in question there is great reason to
fear that one of the parties 9octor-was shot by
the wife of the other Sincerely do we hope that
this case may have the effect of rousing those most
potent agents of civilization, (when combined the
Church and the women of the nation, to deep
of the necessity of bringing all the humanzing
and Christian influence they can command, to bear
upon the barbarous debased, and truly demoniacal
spirit which such practices indicate. Let not pas
tors let not wives, mothers, and sisters, rest until
they have put down this the worst kind of slavery.
We fear that these propensties are too popular and
national, to allow OF the Legislature and the press of
the United States dealing 18th them promptly and
efectually.
Religion is of course, the remedy; but it must be
sound consistent religion; not that which each of
the various and numerous sects chooses to call rel-
gion. II must be tina. religion which teaches the
doctrine of "the holiness of the human body" by
redemption and regeneration, and which, in deal
ing with the baptized, consistently maintains the
teaching Of the Apostle-"Your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which We have
OF God; and ye are not your own, for ye bought
with price; therefore glorify God in your body
and in your spirit, which are Gods" Whatever
other teaching and restraints may be adopted, we
shall do well to teach that murders, suicides, and
other voluntary injuries to the body physical and
moral) are opposed to this doctrine of the Apostle.
1t is doctrine grievousy lost sight Of even by pro-
fessedy religious persons, including many Of the
clergy. What WONDER, then, that it is never realized
Hyn rd To bod
the bodies of their brethren Granted that it,
alone, will not prevent physical injury aud moral
pollution to the bodies Of men, women and chill
dren; yet who can tell how much such sins might
lie gradually reduced in number and intensity If, in
addition to other means, this doctrine were as ex
tensvely taught as il is now extensively neglected
1t is most serious question for parents and teach
ers, and especially for the clergy.