The mirror., 1894-09-27
SUICIDE.
A Contraction to Ingersoll. All Suicides
Result From Diseased Minds.

Result From Diseased Minds.
Since Robert IngersOll. has ''Set the
pace" almost every journal in the land
has discussed this subject pro. and con;
which must be very tiattering to Mr.
Ingersoll. AS we have a small family
of ideas which are threatening to ''move
OUT we beg that you will give them
temporary quarters in your columns.
The word suicide is derived from two
latin words SUI, Self, and C9do, L
cut; literally to cut ones SELF The word
no doubt was adopted by the ancient
Romans, because the sword or dagger
was at the time the most common lnStru-
ment of self destruction. The most
ancient suicide on record is Saul; who
having been overcome in battle and
fearing to fall into the hands Of his
enemies, fell upon his own sword.
Another unique case is that of Samp-
son, who pulled down upon himself
temple containing 5000 people, in order
to be revenged for putting out his eyes.
Then we have the case of Judas lscarlOt
the betrayer of Christ, who hung him
self through remorse. Later examples
are Socrates, Antony and Cleopatra.
The whole subject is most beautifully
j, treated by SHAKESPEARE in Hamlet's
: soliloquy. He says sit is the dread OF
, something after death that puzzles the
will, and makes us rather bear the
t things we have than fly to others that
5 we know naught Of Ingersoll don't
5 believe in any ''after death SO he calls
S it cowardlce, 'that makes us bear the
e ills we have" The subject is indirectly
/ discussed in the book of Job where his
2 wife advises him to Course God and die,
y in other words to commit suicide
n Probably Job had his life insured II
t her favor. He tells her that she ''talk
|, like fool and we are led to Wonde
n why he had never discovered that be
d fore. Misfortune is a great ''eye opener
e as some of us sinners in here hav
s found out. If there ever was man VIII
e had good reason to commit suicide
Is was Job; but he siences all argumen
e. by that glorious outburst of faith, =
ly know that my Redeemer liveth,' it wa
n. Faith and Hope that sustained him.
m Suicide is the result of one Or NOR
I'd Of the following powerful mental emf
ne tions. Fear, Remorse, Grief and Despal
G, Still another very queer incentive
m suicide, is an insane desire for not
to riety. 1t is strange that any one shou
zy be willing to die for the sake of gainlI
ne notoriety and getting his name IN IL
It's papers. Yet we have read OF one ma
he jumping from the Brooklyn Brldg
IN, and of another, going over the Falls
le- Niagara. for no other reason thu
le- that their rash act would cause the
ire name to be on everybody's tong
as after their death. Suicide is the resi-
,ut either of vanity, or of some prese
ST. impending, or imaginary evil, Will
RS gradually, or suddenly overWhell
net the brain, leaving the mind in mort
to condition.
md Pathologists have not yet determln
of Just what changes take place IN I
18th brain substances to cause DipsOmon
is 1t is possible that there is shrlnka
of or partial destruction of the cells co
ter posing the gray matter OF this mt
try we are certain, that great blood chan'
eral take place under the influence of pow
oor full mental emotions. In moment
ng; sudden grief, fear or despair, mllll'
and of red corpuscles of the blood peri