The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-12
A Defence OF Suicide.

To THE EprToR OF THE suN-i9ir: An article
in recent number OF THE SUM- In which at
tenton was called to the large and increasing
number OF suicides in New York city and
throughout the country. has led me to make
some Investigations OF and to express some
thoughts upon the subject That the living
have rights which the dead are bound to re-
spect there can be no question. And have not
suicides rights which society and the living
are also bound to respect?
There certainly arc circumstances under
which suicide may be commendable and
favor to the public. as. for instance. In such
cases as that Of Crandall at Ballston. who. hav-
ing murdered his mothe in-law and his step
daughter. to the great relief and satisfaction
OF the public also X led himself
And there are cases OF attempt at suicide In
which successful effort to defeat such purpose
and restore to life would not only seem to be
a great hardship. but thankess meddlo-
some interference. as. for instance. where
Two souls with but a single thought.
Two hearts that beat one.
desiring and trusting to secure eternal per.
manency to their sweet and tender love- mu-
tually agree and plan to die in each others
embrace. How cruel and unkind 1t Is, II tho
suicidal compact prove Immediately fatal 70
separate them in their mutual desire for death
BY tho restoration OF the still surviving party
agineJ greater than this, no less to the sur
yiyor than to the dear departedI ?" And In
n-destruction by drowning, cutting OF the
throat. or otherwise ought not delicacy and a
personal liberty in others to deter from any
Eratnitous and vulgar interference? Who shall
might be the condition Of such dead tina II. re-
stored to ne, ever after to bear the brand OF
sns o sha s9S IS RISra at
over the comfortably dead. and they are not
the less loved and mourned by, surviving
own hour and manner Of death rather than
await the deliberate, uncertainties of time.
covered to society from suicidal intent that
lived trusted. respected. or happy thereaftsr2
The number OF those who K iii themselves is
each year greater-very much Greater.than
are xii led by the State. In New York city
alone IN recent year there were 2o3 suicides
Suicide has become OF so widespread and
Increasing occurrence as to be worthy OF some
S,sss'i tbnt is S dSuPsss reasonable t
tasTe i an Average 81 q last one suicide each
annually who commit Jrio de Sc. and the num-
Der seems TO be on the increase.
4 JriO de Sc used to be understood to be one
who commits felony upon or against himself.
and was. therefore. In common law language.
self wit malice Aiorethought.
I'm lbniiEna t6 Ran{ years age suicide was
tells and the body was treated ignominlously
ana buried In the open highway with a stake
thrust through II. This ancient rule finally fell
into disuse; nder George ~. 1t was repealed.
suicide should be buried at night and without
performance OF religious rites
suicide has never been made punishable as
q crime by any statutory provision OF the
barous usages OF England in relation to the
Durla! oil the corpse were even practised here.
by rule OF the Catholic Church the body OF a
suicide may not have burial in consecrated
be said for the repose OF the soul The Epis-
copal Church has so modified it's rule in such
cases that the bodies OF suicides may receive
Christian burial and the services Of THE Church
may be said oyerthe bodies OF such as are ad-
Judged to have taken their own lives while
In a condition OF mental trresponsihility A
similar custom, with even larger latitude OF
charity. obtains in all Protestant churches
liy the Penal Code OF thu State OF New York
section suicide is defined by the statutes
q the state as the Intended taking OF ones
eide is deemed grave public wrong. yet from
tho tmpossibility Of reaching the successful
PeTpetrator, no forfeiture Is imposed" OH.
ter in the first degree. while TO Wilfully en-
courage or advise. aid or assist in suicide 10
4 felony.
by our General Term in the case OF barrow VS..
the Family Fund Lie Insurance Company
New York REPORTS, 1886. but TO attempt sui-
eide and fail is made felony by the Penal
lode adopted july 2i. 1881 and is punish
able by imprisonment in state prison for a
term OF not more than two years or by q fna
~ not 20 exceed 81 u1u or both in the discrs-
non non Of tie S31Tt II !: not shown By the Re-
Secretary Of stat" that there has ever bsens
under this law. A. s. pEAsE
SARAiuGA, Dee. q. 1873