New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-23
CREMATION A DUTY.

CREMATION A DUTY
A REILLY TO DR. p. II. HoLLASD-TIE GOOD OF
FUTURE GENERATIONS TO BIZ CONSIDERED.
To the EditOr OF The Tribune.
SIR: The article you published last Satur-
day, letter in opposition to the hopes entertained by
crematonsts by Dr. r. H. Holland calls for reply to
show how unmportant and fOunded are the argu-
ments therein produced The frat point Is the danger or
having greater number of people poisoned as result
OF this contemplated change in so far that would
favor any such design by destroying the evidence OF
guilt This is the most welghty argument that can be
brought against the question: though does not
originate with DIR. Holland Now whom 1t Is once adj
mtted that the present OF burial ~ actually del
eterous to the health OF the community; that certain
disorders and fevcrs known to have been thereby
occasiOned that IN the course OF few centuries thou
sands OF people may be thereby affected Is 1t reasonable
to say that OF tho risk some few OF VA run
OF being poisoned, should abandon project that
may affect the and happiness OF thousands that
are vet to comet Is 1t reasonable this ground alone
TO oppose change which. its advocates demonstrate,
will benefit millions. simply TO secure the advantage OF
Gi3lnterng woman and examining his or her
stomach I
The simile drawn from the relation that manure
heap bears to finely cultivated garden, is hardly an
argument Dr. Holland evidently forgets that the burn
ing of orr dead will In no WIS., prevent having Gem
eteres just beautiful and finely cultivated as ever; tha
the burial OF instead OF collin ought nO', In the
least degree to affect the beauty OF graveyard It's
very that cemeteries serve as ornamental
gardens aud places OF for cheerful walks to many
that have not access the country its charms As
they afford opportunity for pledsurabe exercise 10
q great many Now could still have new cemeter-
les, our lots and monuments and cremation wOull
| in no wise interfere with them.
Dr. Holland asserts that any apprehension concerning
the health Of the living arising from tho burial Of our
dead "toO absurd to be believed by any one but
an enthusiastic advocate OF cremation obliged to use
bad arguments, being short OF good ones" This is
bold assertion when OF the scientists OF our day
only offer opinions but to us by demonstrated
the danger Of continuing our present custom NOW
Dr. Holland admits that IL Is OF course essent
to safety that the situation for eemeterles shoGi w.
well cho,en and that they should be very
situation should happen in the course OF time to pc IN
the midst OF pOpulOus city, the harm resulting there
from might felt by the inhabitants. But how can we
tell where streets houses or cities, may DE 2DO years
from to-dayl The bodies that found some years
ago in London in making the foundation OF its houses
laid there without any idea OF their resi- D,iS
may it prove again: therefore, when know that a
thing be deeterious, if the many conditions De
not complied with and the many essential precautions
| be not observed. and when We know the remedy
| against any possible harm to be within our reacn
| 10 the higher and nobler call OF dutyi | use the
word duty because it certainly Is the duty OF one
generation FOR the welfare Of those that are 10
| follow, or course, every new idea must meet with
oppos particularly one 10 which the changes pro-
posed would be OF radical ana decided nature ~
has many opposing barriers TO surmount, and barriers
Of the most obstinate kind-prejudlce superstition,
Ignorance, and, above ALL sentiment Inc sentiments
play an important part i'll the case the honor OF de-
parting from custom which long Observance poetlc1l
and tender memories have rendered
and for the end desirable Jars at first upon our inner
feelings But 1t IL question that should De Iet 10
science decide; and with little reason brought
| in to aid could not break through the vail OF
sentimental Illusion that envelopes the mOurners achnS
watches his former friend LAID do" II
Rest Oh not rest lie Is TOO apt 10 TOT
that quiet a. are tue sods overhead NATURE uueI
MEATH hard aud necessarily at work turnlng chang
ing and making all anew, that ere many years she
"a don ot
| her mighty flames would have done before. h.
| NeU- York, May 20, 1874