Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-09-27
V.BR.u O.vT E.vs.s.TE .sSI'LU.N.

Concerning the recent eases OF discharge,
by decree of the United States Court of
certain inmates of the Insane Asylum in
this place, the Windsor Journal very justly
remarks:
"While therefore, all proper scrutiny by
the Legislature, and by the people, should
be made, and while the decision of the tri-
bunal resorted to, for deiverance, should
he treated with all due respect, it ought not
to be forgotten that the question of sanity
in patient is not always so easy to deter
mine from few slight glances of the eye
or passing casual observation, as some
very good and and very wise men may I'M
agine.
"Without intending or wishing, then TO
apologize, in the least. either for the course
OF the officers of the Institution, or that of
the persons who sought the commitment
of the patients referred TO, and with all re-
spect to the Court, we may candidly ask,
how it is possible for correct conclusion
to be reached, at single sitting of an hour
or two in form, concerning the sanity of
person brought into court, In such cases?
"The legal discharge may, of course be
readily determined on technical or other
purely legal grounds, as we understand
the decisions were chiefly made in these
cases. but the question of sanity or insani-
ty-how can that be justly decided by a
mere momentary examination? We do
not believe it can be done. The state of
the voluntary powers, in relation to
responsible action, is too subtle for ac-
curate determination by solitary obser-
walton. The mind is too manifold and d.
verse in its manifestations to be grasped
firmly and held with certainty to an exact
conclusion respecting its condition, at a
single inspection. The truth is, this whole
question Of insanity is very grave and
very difficult inquiry for clear and salts
factory settlement. Time and experience
combined with the very best scientific and
practical skill are essential to the true an
swer. Let the Legislature, therefore, and
the whole people look at this matter, in the
light of sound reason, aud in the spirit of
strict Justice to all concerned. III the As
YUM, at Brattleboro, is becoming place
for the hustling away of poor and intirm
old people at the expense, either of neg
lectful kindred, or of the State or If 1t is
becoming resort for designing persons for
covering up their horrid schemes of get
ting rid of troublesome relative, the peo-
pie should know the facts. Or If, on the
other hand ii is really answering the ends
for which il was established, in spite of in
cidental defects or faults, the sooner the
confirmation of the truth is clearly and full
ly spread before the people, in view of the
cases in hand, the better will it be for the
peace of the people,"
The Montpelier Journal evidently re-
CARDS Judge Smalley's decision as final and
indisputable, and says:
at is perhaps not best for us to speak
in terms appropriate TO their conduct, of
the children of Mr.. Shaw. Their treatment
of him Is infamous as it is unnatural, and
stamps them as tit subjects for the confine-
ment to which they have subjected their
venerable parent.
"Our concern is with the Asylum and its
manager That the head of that institution
should become party to this scandalous
outrage on an old man, and consent to re-
ceiye and confine him as n lunatlc, seems
almost incredible. And yet if he was not a
party TO the outrage, he must have been
The dupe of it, He is guilty OF keeping a
perfectly sane man for five years under his
care, either intelligently or ignorantly. If
he knew of his condition, and was aware OF
his sanity, he was pdrticepS crtmintS In this
unfilial and shameful transaction. II he
was ignorant of Mr.. Shaw's true condition,
and OF his entire sanity, he is not nit for the
duties devolving upon the head OF an insti-
tuition like this. In either case he has
shown marked uniitness for his position.
Five years is quite too long to hold a sane
man in duress at the wish of his heartless
relatives, or to have remained in entire ig-
norance of his sanity. 1t should never
have been left, by DR.. Rockwell, TO the
courts TO ascertain and declare the sanity
Of any of his patients. When II comes to
this, his disqualification for his office is
proved"
The Springfield Republican, in its re-
marks which we copied last week. referred
to Mr.. Shaw as "a perfectly sane man,