New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-23
PROFESSOR FELIX ADLER ON SUICIDE.
EXPLAINING HIS ADDRESS AT PLYMOUTH
CASES OF IScURABLE SUFFERING
CONSIDERED


CONSIDERED.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir Your issue Of August 10 containing an editorial
article entitled Legal Aids 20 Suicide" has Just come
into my hands From the nature of your structures
must infer that the report on which the article ID
based has grossly msrepres@nted my opinions. you
will doubtless do the justice to give publicity 10 inc
following corrections.
In my Plymouth lecture as on many previous occa-
sions took the strongest ground against suicide
attacked the position of the stocs. who, in antiquity
the most eloquent defenders o: the practice ana
used the words In this respect the modern coh-
science educated by the Old and New Testaments mas
passed distinctly in advance Of the Stole position.
maintained that neither the loss of fortune nor Oh
health is sufficient ground for sefdestrucon; that
even If happiness and the hope Of happiness be gone
so long single duty remained to be performed we
are bound TO stay like senanels at posts. went
so far as to say that confirmed yaetudinariah
who appears 10 be a burden to himself and TO others
and who apparently unable TO render any more ser
vices to Others should nevertheless hold out on the
ground that his sick bed he can grow spiritually
and learn and exhibit the virtues of the SAINT
I did. however, draw the following distinction
For II should be remembered that | was addressing
at Plymouth audience Of students, and that IL
was my business to search out. as far As possible,
the philosophy of the subject, to the extent OF
taking into account more private and nrequent con-
tn live so long as his su;ferngs Of TO others
or can be turned to his moral benefit But when
this is not the case, and when the hope OF recovery
f likewise excluded. itoseems to me that the pro-
priety Of Terminating such useless suffering might
well be conceded in principle, whatever the practical
difficulties may be in the of carrying the principle
into effect had in mind and mentioned the case OF a
lady i'm the last stage of she suffered untold
agonies the doctor gave her at most three or four weeks
more to live 1t seemed to idle to argue that within
those three or four weeks medical science might us
cover remedy for disease 50 far advanced as heF7
and that she should be Kept alive on the pare chance
Of such a discovery being made. As to the practical
device of a commission merely intended 10 indicate
the necessity of proper safeguards and OF oInciai
sanction to prevent abuse. OF course IL Is uhuer-
stood that the commission would not nave power 10
condemn to death, out merely to grant rehei at uie
patients own request. But why should IL seem O-
meath the dignity of busy magistrates and eminent
physicians to concern themselves about such eA-
ceptional cases Of hopeless suher1ngl we alreely
have commissions in mnacy appointed Dy
the State and persons whose sanity Is
questioned are permitted " set the machinery
of the courts In motion In order 70 prove
their mental .oundness if they can. Why should not
the same exceptional regard for exceptional dlSueSS
determine the action Of the state in the one case as IN
tho otber2 The point have raised relates 70 one Of
the ncees of the ethics Of sickness and has nothing
10 do with the advocacy or liberation Of SUICIDE III
the case / have contemplated, society, the eOale'
through its official deputies. gives PERMISSION III te
case of suicide the person committing the crime uno
takes to decide for himself II seems TO me tlS1 ZIG
distinction is sufficiently marked
The main purpose of my letter however, s 70 say
that am emphatlcally opposed to suicide. If, as you
do me the honor believe, the wide publicity OF my
uttered opinions creates danger (oplnons when uu
not utter and do not hold, perhaps the equally VIDE
nubcty Of my real opinions will remove the danger
called attention in my address 10 the connection Dc
| TWEEN the increase o suicide and the increase OF
divorce and remarked that regard both symptoms
of a PATHOLOGICAL condition Of modern society "o
not believe that mere homilies against self slaugher
ill cpre these evils but even homilies may do some
good and l perfectly willing to ION In oeilVerliis
| them. But | am anxious especially as PUBIC
teacher that nv opinions should not be quoted on the
r-rong side II they have any weight at all should
| IKE them TO tell on the side 10 which really
| and earnestly adhere. Permit me 10 auo Que
word more about the socleueS LOT etncai ttt
4 Won seem to think that this society attempts
TO offer substitute for the august soacs 9t Chfis-
tianlty7 1t attempts nothing Of the kind ~ Is as IIs
] nor less Few will deny that the churches nave
| reason n welcome o. allies societies when devote
special attention to moral training 10 the science ana
the art OF character building. And !, Doubtless Oa
this point OF view that very eminent IHucha i i
recently said Every Christian s GI N1A' on tbs
terest in the societies for Ethical Culte I'm us
other hand. Will dispute that noiai GuI1u.v
needed among the thousands and tens OF taoussnu
whom the Church for ore reason OF aI4oieic a.
matter Of fact, does not reach to-day Inc ga
for Ethical Culture attempting 70 cover us reu
They wish II TO be distinctly understood lud
not clubs Of freethiniers pagdns mere human.aIla
| or opponents Of religion They have their lnes Oh
work mapped ont as plainly a. 4eoSrap g
or society for the advancement of natural science.
They engaged in constructive not IN fo tbe
| word conservative FELIX ADLER.
Keene Valley, Essex County N. V, Aus. 21 1891.