St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-10
INCREASE OF SUICIDES.

1t is useless to waste sympathy upon
those who, wearied with the trials and
yexations Of this life. voluntarily sun
der the cord that binds them to it. In
nine cases out of ten such people are
weak mentally or diseased physically
often both-and their usefulness in this
world OF activity ceased long before
they sought surcease of sorrow, real or
Imaginary. in suicides grave. The
world seldom misses them after they
have gone. The places they once occu-
pied are soon filled, generally by ADLER
aud better men; and the wheels of
progress revolve, unconscious Of the
fact that they ever had an existence.
But suicides seem to be constantly on
the increase. The existing financial
crisis has contributed largely to this in
crease. Many men who, few months
ago. were in comfortable circumstances
have seen the accumulations of a life
time swept away in an hour. Seeing
no fate before them but an existence of
poverty and privatlon in their declining
years, they have sought refuge in
death. Many who have contributed to
the widespread disaster, through their
neglect or crIminality, have been afraid
to face the storm of public Indignation
IN store for them, and have rushed
madly into the vortex of oblivion. The
wreck of reputation, carefully guarded
for many years, has been too much for
others to bear, and in desperation thew
fly to that bourne whence no traveller
returns. seemingly oblivious to the fact
that suicide but adds to their disgrace:
for the majority of men believe, with
DANIEL WEBSTER, that suicide is con-
fession."
There has, too, been notable change
or late years. in the modes by which
suicide is accomplished The sword or
the moose for ages were EMPLOYED as
Inc chiet means of seif-destruction. The
invention OF firearms changed all this,
and tor many years the pistol had a
reign of popularity. Now chemistry
has opened up new avenues for suicide.
A considerable number, conscious of
the TACT that suffOcation by coal gas is
painless, seek nepenthe by that means.
Inc various corrections having opium
Tor their basis also seem to be having a
reign of popularity, while drowning in
the summer months, when the water is
not too cold, is holding its own. 1t is
curious to note that few choose linger-
ing or painful death. They argue that
If the act is to be done "'tis we'll 'twere
done quickly" Blood is seldom split
by the suicide, except when he knows
he will be unconscious of its splitting, as
in the use of the pistol. Most suicides
shrink from the sight of blood.
Opinions have always differed, and will
continue to differ, as to the justifiability
| of suicide. When SAUL fell upon his
sword after the defeat of the children
OF Israel in battle, the act was. if the
chronicle is to be believed, approved by
the Lord. Subsequent events, at any
rate, proved that it WAS Judlcious and
praisew0rthy deed. The drama abounds
in instances where suicide towers to the
heights of sublime heroism. VIRGINIUs
will be pitied, JULIET and OPHELIA
will be loved as long as literature and
the drama shall last. But the sordid
suicide of the present day-the misan-
thrope and the coward-merits either
ridicule or contempt. The world is bet.
ter without him, and it matters little
how he leaves the world, provided he
| leaves it quickly.