The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1870-02-12
From The N. Y. Independent
"R1t1a7ei,ag AnaOE."
BY S. H. BROWNE.

To the young readers of The Independent these
words doubtless, convey not the slightest sense
or significance. But in some portions of the
earth-the great Island of Celebes for instance
they are fraught with a terrible meaning and
Importance. The man who hears "Amok
Amok ~ shouted at distance, though ever so
family, in street or field or thoroughfare, takes
instant alarm, rushes home to his house or shop,
if he has one, or to a shelter of some kind where
he can be concealed. He shuts the gates, fastens
the doors and windows, and awaits with breath
less anxiety the moment when the dreadful sound
shall have died away and be may emerge with
his terrified family from their hiding-place still
sound in life and limb
In the Malaysian Archipelago, especially in
the Island of Celebes, the word "Amok' means
species Of suicide, which not only involves the
life of the individual committing it, but that of
all whom be can possibly destroy at the same
time. 1t is a national custom in that dark and
distant portion of the earth, which may be truly
said to be filed with habitations ofcruelty and
yet it is not there esteemed wholly devoid of
respectability or honor.
man who has made up his mind TO "amok, ;"
has resolved to put an end to his own existence
and one who is running dmok' (as in our tltle)
is in the act of doing it, by rushing through the
streets with deadly weapons in his hands, striking
down every one he meets or overtakes, killing or
wounding all be can, before some well-aimed
blow disables or dispatches him.
In the city of Macessar, on the southern
peninsula of the island, such scenes are of very
frequent occurrence. The unhappy, the unfortu-
nate the vicious resort to this method of getting
rid Of all the ills of life, especially as it is popu-
larly regarded an excusable if not a justifable
one If man thinks himself wronged or in
jured, and cannot devise way to avenge him
SELF he gives up in despair, aud resolves to
''dmok." If be is in debt and cannot pay, if he
is taken as a slave or by gambling or wasteful-
ness has reduced his wife and children to slavery,
| he determines to "amok." If he is in any kind
of trouble, from which he sees no of escape,
| he takes the ground that the community in which
he lives is to blame for it. By "running dnsok,"
therefore, he gratiies his revenge upon it as far
as possible and then dies himself consoled by
| the idea that he will be regarded almost in the
| light OF a hero. Armed with the keen-bladed
''kris" IA native weapon of the dagger kind)
| then be rushes irantically hither and thither,
striking and stabbing indiScrminately neigh
bors, friends or foes shouting as he runs
"Anlok Amok ~ This cry is taken up by the
| outraged community as the people rally against
him in their own defense. With spears knives,
daggers, and firearms they attack him or pursue
| him as he runs his last awful race. Overpowered
by numbers, at length, he is smitten down by
some deadly stroke, and the sight of his lifeless
body exposed by the wayside calms the frenzy
which on these frightful occasions seizes all
classes. From FIVE to twenty may have been
killed or wounded in thissingle encounter. Men,
women, or children-it matters not whoever
| cannot instantly retreat to place of shelter or
couceament is liable to be made victim.
This young reader, is ''running aaoE "a
terrible illustration of the depravity of fPaganism
and the horrible customs to which it gives its
sanction. Let us hope that the influences of a
true and pure Christianity may very soon sup.
plant and suppress them, as it has done the cruel
suffice in Hndostan and the wholesale slaughter
of tbe deyotees Of Juggernaut.