Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Cremation CrIttciSad


EDITOR EVENING STAR:-Dear Sir: Since
the fist Introduction of the subject of c-ama-
ton, i have been a most Interested reader OF
everything written for and against the revival
OF what think must seem to all civilized peo-
pie (unless, indeed, 1t may be some of our yory
learned professors and masters OF ais a most
tnhuman and barSarous custom. The quota
lions from Professor Oscar Loew in your edit0-
torisl OF the 23d inst struck he as being of ali
have yet read or heard advanced la favor OF
what he terms this 'improved method" the
Tost inhuman In conception and sickening in
detail. We all know that the great order OF the
present day is economy, aud the utilizing Of
everything which can enrich US as individ uals,
o- as people. But God forbid that the mo 4
sacred and natural feelings OF humanity
should be sacrificed TO "he arts" to which
he tells us "the gases, rich in anwo-
MA evolved from the remains OF our Sd
cred dead, would be "highly valuable. {"
Or to Agriculture, which he claims would bs
enriched by the super phosphate obtained BIZ
the treatment with sulphuric acid OF the bones
OF our loved ones lost. Or, in palmer words.
we may use them as a substitute Tor manure in
the production Of vegetables, such ~ turnips,
cabbages, etc. This information is given,
suppose, for the beDent Of those who, having
had mother, cherished wife, or idolizsd
child cremdted, might be puzzled what to do
with the 'schite bones" which he is kind enough
to say 'may be returned 70 the relatives OF the
deceased" Those who are not Professors OF
familiar with the Arts will of course have little
or no use for "thS gases, Iich IN ammonia" OBJ
tanned 10y the first me nlioned process, hut Ger
tainly none with what is comm only called a
Slceet 'Ooa can fail to appreciate how advan-
tsgeously the residuum Ozone black nay be
used, namely, in the manufacture # sugar
Ye gods! what a study might then be evoked
by he simple act OF sweetening our
cofee-cup! But aside from the econ
omy of the thing, which seems to be-
the chief principle upon which he advo-
Gates this "improved method" he alco declare
1t q necessary sanitary preclution, TO avoid
cholera, small pcx, rinderpest, And other fear
ful diseases, with which the air of graveyards Is
pregnant. Why then is it that those living actu-
tually among tn e dead often reach such an ad-
vanced age? The sexton is proverbially ga
sexton old. and how many have We known
up about them, strong and healthy, a marked
contrast to many reared in the purer or AFR of
the city. By his "improved methci" ali chances
OF Identification would be lost, and in many
powevless to punish those upon whose heads
rest the guilt of murder. For how often BY d.
iLterment, lreekS after burial has murder bee n
proved. Those considerations alone, apart
be sufficient TO prejudice even the most iutelli-
gent and enlightened In our land, against this
barbarous innovation. C.S.
EDITOR STAR: 1 see in the Potomac Fruit
Growers Aaoeiation report that one OF the
members brought In some grub worms and in
sect eggs 20 chow they had survived the fcost,
They were probably brought In simply as spsc,.
mems OF their kind, and not for the purpose
mentioned, as we know that an stout and
hsarty grub will bear any amount OF cold by
simply "grubbipg" down below it. They must
have been brought in very late indeed, IL too
late for examination, for IL would not have
taken more than half q minute for an entomolc-
gist, had there been one there, to have given
their names and determined their character
Why did not the association Discus the best W..
riety OF peaches month ago, at the season OF
setting out? H.