Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-10-28

iSiu cAiStlliS tuhoiS ohS 'So'VSto
the profession, as / do that of indi
viduals among the public. The on
l Justly, l hope, attributed to wan
of that information which is neees
sary to form acorrect Judgment Bu
to ignorance l cannot pay homage, II
order to stlgmatize my brother prac
titioner or impugn his reputation, b,
SO foul charge, as each one of u
might reasonably claim.
That we, as members of this Asso
citation, boast of superior attai;
ments, or greater skill or are NOR
! tenacious of our reputation, thar
those who do not unite with us, | cal
repel with jnst indignation, as an in
suit to the honor of our Association
and as n tribute of respect to every
respectable Physician in Cali:
County.
i While | do not condemn our pro
fessional associates for one cause,
cannot obligate myself to waive al
criticism of their conduct towards us
| think some have shown careless
ness and indifference to the requests
of this organization, that should not
be indulged in by friend of pro
gress and improvement; others have
exhibited an i'll nature and animosi-
ty that does not comport well with
the dignity of gentleman, either in
or out of the profession.
l desire to speak in no harsh terms,
and 1 beg the indulgence of members
and others, that any personal allu
sions. that might be inferred from
my language, will do me an injustice,
and one that no apology would com
pensate, as | disclaim any such in
tention and disavow the motive that
would prompt it.
That this Association was organ
lied by the Physicians of Gallipo-
lis, in their own interests and for
their special benefit, is charge I'M
fair and unjust. 1t is merely an as
sumption on the part of those who
make it; unYise and impolitic:--un-
wise because false, and impolitic be
cause time and action could only de
termine its truthfulness or falsity.
/ appeal to each member present, who
resides in the country, if either one
of you have observed the least spirit
of intolerance or oppression, or any
indication that the Physicians of
Gallipolis were not in full sympathy
with the interests of the profession of
the whole county | disclaim any
such intention on our part, and any
thought or insinuation in reference
to it is merely the result of suspicion.
The County Physicians have us in
their power. Already have they 4
maiority-outnumbe us in voting,
and we are pOwerless to act without
their co operation. We are not, how
ever suspicionsof their action. We
do not apprehend any speedy innOva-
! tons. ainanS ns.hysiient conspiracy
or otherwise, between them, that
would derange or complicate our
business. On the contrary, we are all
united, working in harmony, for the
benefit of each other and no disturb
ing element has yet entered the por-
tails of our Association.
The frivolous excuses made by
some members of the profession, for
not uniting with us, in the establish
ment of an Association, embracing
within its folds every practitioner in
the country, need only be mentioned,
to be condemned.
Some live too far to attend regular
ly our monthly meetings; if not too
far, business will frequently detain
them; they are tired and want rest
or are indisposed; cannot lose the
time; cannot make speech or write
an essay, &c, &c. Such are some OF
the Indifferent and insufficient rea-
sons advanced, why they should keep
aloof from us and remain selfish and
isolated within the sphere of their
own practice. | must say they mis-
understand the situation. 1t is not
expected, however much desired, that
every member will be present at all
meetings during the year. Various
unforeseen causes will exist to pre-
vent this; and those already men-
toned may be valid for the occasion,
but are not of such serious charac-
ter as to induce any one from partici
pating, by his name and influence at
least, in a movement or organization
of so great Importance to every mem
Der of the profession in the county.
They might with the same consis-
tency be deferred from uniting with
the church-from joining the Mason
ic or Odd Fellows Order, or connect
ing themselves with any of our char
liable institutions of much less ad-
vantage to us than our own Society.
Technical objections have been
made to some Of the provisions OF
our constitution. However unjust
and unwarranted, they were, never
theless, offered as an excuse rather
than as argument, by some who did
not wish to unite their labor with
ours. This Association, willing to
obyjate all such features in its gov
ernment, has, by n committee ap-
pointed to revise the Constitution
omitted all the Objectionable clauses,
so far as known, and adopted one, to
which we believe no reasonable mind
can object. 1t is our desire to re-
move prejudices against us, in the
profession. We do not, however, pro-
pose to do it at the expense of prin-
ciple; nor by any act on our part in
conflict with the general interest OF
the profession, or in violation Of any
of the well established rules and reg
ulations of the Ohio Medical Society
We invite just criticism of our acts
and conduct, but would much prefer
it made directly to us than surrepti-
tiously through our patrons.
Indifference, inaetion has always
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