Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-04-12
EuthanaSia.

The following letter. written by Pro-
lessor Newman, of England, declaring
suicide to be duty under certain circum-
stances, is the occasion Of wide discussion
both in that country and in this. 1t is
here printed as a literary curiosity and to
show the direction one of the leading
minds of England is taking:
SIR write TO you at the request of Mr. Lio-
mel Tollemache, who fancies. rightly wrong
ly, that | have something 10 say which may inter-
He remarks that you seem to regard it as a re-
ducfio dd dbsurdum to his views of euthanasia
that they would make utsuicide to be sometimes
a duty. Many years ago had full reason to be-
neVe That a friend of mine "a man morally and
intellectually deserving high esteem) in an ILL
ness lingering and hopeless, Withdrew himself
from life somewhat prematurey by means of
chloroform. have no doubt whatever it was I'M
der sense of duty. II led me to sound persons
now and then as to what they thought of thus ter
mlnating life, in case OF hopeless disease, es-
pecially insanity and the prevalent reply
was to the effect, II give no opinion but there
are many who think a painful, useless, and hope
less life ought to be ended" If the present dis
cussion should lead to freer avOwas, without
fear OF Odium, it would be valuable. should
like to have the Commissioners who visit lunatic
asyuns called on authortatively for their sincere
opinions on the subject.
Somewhat earlier, in reading travels, perhaps
MungO Parks travels and accounts of North
American Indians, was led to mediate on such
through forest or desert where one of them sud-
denly fails in strength II the rest stay to carry
him, all will perish. They reluctantly leave him
behind. Sometimes he begs to be killed, lest he
perish OF slow starvation, or by vernin devour
ing him. The facts, confess, led me to the con-
victiOn that we Overstrain reluctance to short
en- life. But to fear to leave human being to
perish alone, especially at his command, when
else others will perish uselessly for him, seemed
to me like the case which very often occurs in
sickness, where tending the sick ruins the health
Of those round him; where the strong and young
are crippled, that an old person may miserably
linger . few months longer l, for one, look
with horror on allowing tender kinsfolk to sacri-
fce youthful health In order to add days or weeks
to my Life when worn out.
OF course It is evident that irregular and
etealthy self-destTuction, against the moral opn-
ION OF Q community, has contingent evils far
greater than could occur II such practice were
pablicly sanctioned under fixed conditions. I
take 1t for granted, that - marriage, adoptions,
wills are In every well-organized State registered
under public Officers, 90 u euthanasia were LEGAL
lied, Il would be with like securities against
abuse. The registrar would be required to Inter-
rogate the patient before witnesses, who would
attest his desire Of death and medical testi-
mony be added - to the hopslessness Of recoV.
cry. Near kinsfolk now earnestly 6esine he
death Of patient, when BE- 70 su1erfne agony, or
even delirium and painful delusions, without
hope. lido not understand how any one can fear
s6wse, II death were legAlixed under deliberately
planned restrictions such - I have limited. /
an sur, ETC., FRANCIS W. NIwNAN,
Marc, February, 1878.