New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-12
Cremation, or Burial Z

Cremation, or Burfn1f
The DISPOSITION made of the human body
after death has varied in all times and
countries. 1t has been dependent upsn the
religious views OF the sentimental nature OF
q people; never npon the method OF utility
or upon any scientific reason. In whatever
way the subject is approached with refer
ence to any change, there is an inherent
feeling that looks upon any other mode than
the prevailing one with distrust and horror,
which is a result Of education and custom,
not to say prejudice.
The que stiOn Of cremation, or the pro
cess of resolving. by fire, the body into the
elements of which it is composed, has
lately been preached; and, however 1t may
at first glance appear repugnant to the
feelings, it can not be disputed that the adj
vocates of the method present many rea-
sons which at least merig attention.
When the spark of that flame
(which CLEANS, but warns no more its cherished
earth
has departed, there is left certain COM
bination of material elements which are at
once subjected to the laws which govern
inorganic and inanimate matter. The in
slant the guiding and controlling principle
of life is wanting there simply remains 50
much water, carbonic acid and. ammunia,
with some small portions of iron, lime,
phosphorus, etc. The ceaseless activity OF
forces DEGREES that these shall be separated
diffused and broken up to- form new COM
binations Nature requires their presence
in other forms, and sooner or later will
have them. 1t is no longer a question Of
sentiment, but of stern and uncompromls-
ing utility, from which there is no appeal.
The question, therefore, is whether we
will allow natare to carry on this work in
her own way, or whether we will aid her
by the means and in a manner which bet
ter understanding of her laws has rendered
possible That which it takes her periods
of time, varying lin proportion as our efforts
to preserve dead body oppose her ends
from months to years or centuries, to effect,
can be accomplished in a few hOurs-care-
fully, exactly and kindly, without any OF
that sense of horror which would be felt
could the process of the natural decay of a
body be realized by the survivors, and with
out any of the i'll effects which too often
follow her method. Modern researches have
shown that to trightful extent diseases
are Occasioned by the presence OF organic
germs in the water and air. How much of
this arises from the escape and dissemina-
ton of these germs from our places OF
sepulture, it is difficult to say; and, indeed,
in thinly settled districts the danger may
be small. But, while in older countries the
question already assumes shape which
presses for solution, it must be borne i'll
mind that our cities are rapidly increasing
in size, and that what is to-day deemed
sufficient distance for safety may in few
years be brought into a dangerous prox-
unity.
In matters of wealth, education and So
cial government we assume a guardianship
over posterity; shall we be less careful in
the vital matter Of life and healthi The
very places which we now look upon with
the sad yet pleasing sentiment of final,
silent city OF rest, may in the future be-
come loathsome spots, breeding disease and
death, full OF all foulDess; and the places
where we are wont to linger, which we
adorn with monumental tablets and lovingly
wreathe with flowers, become Stunned and
abhOrred. Death has sting and the grave
a victory, and the thought that after death
worms destroy this body is not wholly miti-
gated or relieved by the vain illusions with
which we seek to veil the horror of the
reality
At the Vienna Exposition were exhibited
samples of cremation of the human body,
the preparations of distinguished Italian
professor of anatomy. In the short time of
three and half honrs, at a minimum of
expenditure for fuel, there was produced
about three and three-uuarters pounds of
ashes and bone earth, of delicate white,
which were contained in glass box twelve
inches long by eight inches in width and
depth. Modern science may be trusted to
elaborate process, at once simple and
thorough, which shall satisfy in every re-
spect OF detail the requirements of the prac-
teal fact of cremation. Its adoption rests
upon a change in the present views of
community. This is, on any question, diff
cult to accomplish, and is not at present to
be looked tor. 1t simply remains to afford
. presentation of the arguments upon which
the advocates Of cremation urge its adop-
ton, and to bring before the public real
izing sense of the possible dangers to which
they are exposed, and the manner in which
they can be avoided.
With the ancient process of cremation,
practiced with all the pomp and parade of
barbaric splendor, we have nothing to do
and no comparisons OF it with the proposed
system should be allowed to influence the
Judgment. We have advanced SO greatly
in our knowledge of nature, our ideas of
her processes have become SO refined and
extended, that we can approach the sub
Iect with an understanding which is ade
quate to our wants. We no longer look
upon diseases as the working of an evil
spirit, we know that the body which is laid
away vanishes and is forgotten. We lay
down our dead, shrouding them in mantle
or sorrow, follow them soon, and are soon
ourselves forgotten. The gentle love. the
kindly sympathy, the generous ambition,
that have so often been entwined it'll our
individuality which is left, linger. and |
through them we hold communion with the |
memories of the dead.
Feeling, sympathy, and the emotions of |
kinship keep pace with the lapse OF time.
Is the thoughts run back ward in an inverse |
till distinction is lost in OBJ |
,curity, and our ancestry descends into the |
mass of humanity. What matters it to us, |
hen, and to our individual dead-knowing |
Is we do the final disposition of the cor |
,oreal body--how we return to the ele- |
nents2 Ii is q question which affects our
and the responsibility rests
With MS whether we shall, by opposing .
natural law, bequeath to them the inherit
.nce of disease and suffering, or, by follow
ng the plain showing of the facts and
which we possess, bring our life |
md death into closer correspondence with
heir surroundings, thus preserving that
perfect order which n established, and
Vhich we arc bound to obey 70, the full
xtent of our knowledge aad ability
Nieage Tribune. - ----------s-