The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-12-28

centuries, and whose origin is coeval
with that of medicine itself. We are
not likely to change our opinions,
based on the accumulated experience
aud counsel OF ages, TO suiC the notions
of one alike ignorant of our science
and not disposed to do justice either
to the spirit of our ethics as physicians
or our honesty as men.
Your Interpretation of the law, and
the manner in which you annOunc II
tc be your intention TO execute 1t, have
at least the merit OF originality. The
district judges throughout the State,
and notably those in the districts con-
tanning the most prominent cities,
where irregular medicine finds its larg-
est representation, have apparently con.
sldered that their duty under the law
lay in q different direction, and In no
case have they antsgorized the regular
practitioners by o course OF conduct
simIlaE TO yours.
Ia assuming to act IN this matter we
! trust you have considered the response
| blllty cutailed. The Law WAS lrsn-ei
sad xrged to It's passage by the rsgu-
lar prefsssion in the iAtsrast OF human
! ity aad for The protection O! socisiy.
It had no interest for us beyond secur-
| ing these ends, and vhsa L. became q
Law it passed from our hands and shift
ed the espca:ibi!ity to thoss whose
| duty it became to eKscuts It. When
! its execution was in direct violation Of
our protest az fair-mInded and liberal
| profession, we have deemed it TO
be our duty TO ourselves 81 ply
sicians and to oar sense oil
honesty and justice as men, 20 state the
reasons of our sctioE aad the motives
which have prompted our opposition.
Having done this as fGlly as the nature
of the case will admit, we leave the
further discussion of the subject be-
tween you and the public, to whom
you are responsible for the manner IL
! which the law shall affect their safety
and happiness.
! Your concluding appeal to our phi
lanthropy is touchiugly beautiful
charming compromise between charge
to grand jury and the last words of
warning and advice to a condemned
criminal. We appreciate it and will
embalm it. We will not clog the adj
vanclng car of science, We will inaugu-
rate no reigns of terror and, after
your solemn illusions to martyred
saviour, we will startle neither God
nor angels with the cry, Cruelty
him! Cruelty him!" You were
pleased to indulge in little amiablt
sarcasm when you say, 1T would bs
no stretch of the imagination to sup
pose that the law was not gotten up 10y
the State Medical Association, particu.
larry in the interest of the hOmeo-
patfic school" We grant it; it was
gotten Up in the interest Of DO school,
nor sect, but for the people. 1t would
be as absurd to suppose the State
Medical Association capable of schem
ing Gas your sarcasm Implies) for the
downfall of homeopathy" as it would
be to think that district judge
would dishonor his ermine by playing
the role of drummer and special cham
pion for it.
In conclusion, permit US to thank
you for the honor conferred upon us
and the confidence reposed in us. We
have probably exhausted your patience,
but to have been less prolix would not
have been treating your able commu-
nieation with the consideration it s.
richly merited. We will recommend
none of our members for promotion,
bat respectfully suggest that you Sc.
lsct board in happy harmony wit!
your Own exalted ideas of the medical
profession. It should be subject Il
congratulation to every citizen of this
broad State that we have one judge IL
it who knows his duty and grandIy
dares to do it.
With sentiments of profound re-
spect, yours very truly.
By order of the Medical Society Of
Travis county.
W. A. MORRIS, M. D., Prest.
| J. CUMMINGS, n. D, Sec'y.