The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-05-12

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cuniary losses, are named as the leading
causes. Curiosity led a journalist not
long since to note the number of sui
cides that were recorded in newspapers
which reached the Office OF large met
ropolitan daily in single day. He
counted in this manner exactly twenty
five suicides, eight of which we're fe-
males. Of this number twelve were
believed to have been caused by disap-
pointm ent in love, six were caused by
mercantile losses and business perplex-h
tiles two from want of employment, one
from jealousy, one from sickness, two
from insanity, and one from misan-
thropy. Iaag 8oE
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Men of intelligence, position, and
stainless character, almost daily perpe-
trate self destruction by reason of pc
cuniary embarrassment, and there are
thousands in every business community
who are rushing on to the same vortex
and the same inevitable fate. There is
a large and growing class Of such cases,
in which disasters in business-sudden
or long postponed, but crushing to hope,
ambition and a high sense of honor
that rarely receive the sympathy and
words of friendly concern which a good
business man and philanthropist could
SO promptly and benefciafiy give
Many a noble, valuable, but temporarily
unfortunate person, unhappily ends his
life by suicide. when by fewwords of
| friendly counsel and encouragement he
might be saved to the community, that
his life and his efforts have contributed
SO largely to ennoble and build up. So.
ciety owes it to itself to establish a
sweeping reform in this matter. We
can not afford to lose 50 many valuable
lives as are yearly being sacrificed mere
! ly for the want of a little friendly advice
and sympathy. Our great centres of
trade and finance, where fortunes are
made and unmade in q day, have become,
in more senses than one, the gateway
leading to misery and despair. The
rage Of speculation has become like q
disease,
'tCanght from some unhappy master, .ss
Whom unmesciful disaster .
Followed fast and followed faster"
until the life that had become a burden
of unrest, flashed and fickered through
the erratic phases of a madman's 8 malady,
or snuffed out weirdly by the suicides
stroke
The great need of the American pet
pie, in whom the tendency to suicide is
la growing evil, is more relaxation and
amusement. Life as we spend it is a
never ending turmoil and trouble. The
merchant can not forget his ledger, the
4 financier his money bags, the profes
sional his engagements, for the little
recreation that is essential to the health
of the body and happiness of the heart
Avariee and sordidness have grown into
our lives, but they yield only mental
8 disappointment and perplexity, and bod
lily mischief. We have but few popular
games, and still fewer universal holiday &
to divert the mind from work. The
sunshine that would naturally find it q
way into most mems lives is shut ou
by the clouds of misanthropy, or the
shadows of business cares and RESPONSE
bilities. The overworked brain and th
overburdened heart are allowed but lit
tie rest and relaxation. Suicide and in.
sanity rarely occur among the Germans,
although they are essentially dreamy,
metaphysical and thoughtful people
. They have ten holidays where we have
one, The persistent ignoring OF the
simplest causes of health, mental and
physical, on the part Of our overworkod
and closely domiciled population, is the
primal and paramount reason OF SO
Z much discontentment and unrest that
exist in the world. The misanthrope
who broods over ills, whether real or
fancied, and refuses to enjoy the pleas
ures and Happiness that Nature spreads
out before her children, is unconsciously
taking rapid and certain strides toward
that vortex that has already received
countless victims. We need to 90 forth
into the open fields, and Let Gods sun.
shine fall upon our SCARED and shattered
. lives, feel the divine influence Of the
countless flowers that are blossomine
8 around every pathway, and open ou1
hearts to the glad music Of the summer
birds then shall we learn how
"Sweet are the uses Of advsrsty,
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous.
Wears Jet precious jewsl in its head
And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
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