Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-03-04
Remarks of Senator Key on SELLING Gem
eteries, Applicable TO the Meridian o.
CiucfDuatf

Remarks of Senator Key on Selling Gem
eteries, Applicable TO the Meridian Of
Cincinnati
On the bill authorizing the sale OF the
Methodist Cemetery on GATHERINGS rect,
Mr.. Key spoke substantially as follows
do not rise for the purpose of defeating
the passage of this measure. This burial
ground, and the one adjoining it, form the
last Cemetery remaining within the city of
Cincinnati. Itslocation and condition present
some difficulties in the care of it, and do
not feel inclined to make special opposition
to the final consummatiou of that course
which has been pursued in that city, in re-
gard to its early grave-yards. As adesceud-
ant of q pioneer citizen, desire to express
my indignation and adherence of the con-
duct of the church corporations of CinCin-
natl, in relation to the burial places in-
trusted to their charge. The early citizens
were inferred in grounds which had been
purchased by contribution, or acquired by
gift, for burial purposes. The legal title
was conveyed to church corporations, be-
cause they existed with perpetual success
ion the contributors and donors, in their
simplicity, did not imagine thatit was neces-
sary TO express, in words, the trusts Of the
conveyance; these grounds were laid out as
Cemeteries, sold in burials lots or single
graves and used for interments through
many years thus acquired, subdivided, sold
and occupied, they became dedicated in
perpetual trust for the use TO which they
had been devoted; there remained ia the
church corporations no beneficial interest
wha'ever they simply held the legal title
for the most sacred Of all trusts, the sauctity
of human graves.
In the course of time and growth of popu-
lation, these cemeteries becoming well filed
and public health making it advisable, in
| tcTments in them naturally ceased or were
stopped by ordinance, but the trust remain
ing the same. The grounds, by the progress
Of the city, becoming very valuable, the
: spirit of Mammon entered the churches, and
controlling their corporate authorities,
caused them to assert o Beneficial ownership
1 in the trust property claiming the right
! and owning the purpose to make sale OF
these burial grounds, they have pursued
that purpose with a persseuey which has
overcome all opposition. By neglect and
permissiye waste; by Importantly and an
Doyance; by exciting emotions Of alarm and
disgust; by obtaining legislation from the
General Assembly, improvidently and ig-
nOTantly granted, they have succeeded in
accomplishing their object; and by sale of
these grounds they have received large sums
Of money, with which they have been en-.
abled to increase their religious privileges
and to diminish their religious expenses. .
They have pretended to reserve the rights
vi Dub WIFI tub CudTCu COT
porations asserted beneficial ownership in
the cemeteries they denied the trust estate,
they destroyed all real security Of the indi-
vidual lot holders, and made it certain that
ultimately, all the graves would be violated.
Some of the buried have been removed by
relations; most remained, unknown, for
gotten, uncared-for; or without resident
friends their repose in the grave depending
upon the faithful performance of a legal and
religious trust; some of these have been re-
moved by the trustees to other burial places;
an operation proven to be capable of being
executed with dexterity, expedition and
economy.
1t was not necessary for the care of the
grounds and their protection against desc
Grafton that they should be sold; the city
would gladly have taken a transfer of the
title, not as purchaser of vacant premises,
but subject to all the trusts no complaint
would have been made about appropriations
for keeping up inclosures; her police force
would have restrained the mischievous and
vile; and gradually, by general consent
there would hare been change of the cem-
eteries into public grounds, subject to con-
ditions which would have secured the per-
manent rest in their original and registered
places of burial of all those not removed by
the voluntary action of friends. The wrong
and outrage began in the assertion of claim
of ownership and right of sale, in property
devoted to burial uses.
The repose of the dead is respected even by
savage tribes; in civilized and Christian
countries burial grounds are supposed to be
protected by every sanction, human and
divine by the precepts of religion; the
rules of law; the sentiments of civilization,
and the instincts of humanity. 1t is certain
that in Cincinnati all these restraints have
been powerless before the selfshness OF
orthodox Protestant church corporations.
Let the people of Ohio take warning, and be
advised, that cemeteries should be formed by
independent associations, aud should not be
subject to the action of church authorities.