The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-15
SUICIDE is AN EPIDEMIC
Marvellous Spread of the Evil OF Self.De.
struction.

New York. Sept. 1.-THE great num-
| Der of cases of suicide among young
women reported recently shows il to
amount almost 70 an epidemic, and II
| is high time that this crime, if it is a
crme. be dealt with by the law, and that
a penalty be provided severe enough
! 70 a least make one shrink from the
| act because Of the fear of possible
| failure.
! The report of the organization Of a
| suicide club of young women that has
| been reported should open the eyes of
! the authorities TO the necessity Of &C
ton, The existence Of this club has
been denied by the matrons of the Flor
| ence Mission. who stated that the in
| formation from the Mission was fur
| nished by an intoxicated woman, which
renders he report valueless. II is, how
| ever, true that the Missin refuses 10
| bury any more suicides. There is never
smoke without some little fire. and this
matter should be thoroughly sifted and
an example made of its members, if any
be found, to waken these unfortunates
| be found, TO waken these unfortunates
further disgrace TO the community.
There are helping hands extended in
every direction to lift the fallen and
destitute women of the city If they are
willing TO accept the charity, but j, Is
we'll known that many among this class
are too proud to accept aid, and others
the fear Of jeers of their associates in
sin and crime is so keen that they are
deferred from taking the steps which
would enable them 10 reform.
This work among the outcas.S should
not be left alone 10 the missions, bu,
the present call is for more Widespread
feeling of humanity which will not
raise the eyebrows in scorn but extend
the hand in love and true womanliness.
But the tendency of her sex is always
ID push a woman down, down. down.
until al moral courage is crushed and
no way seems open for escape from sin
and degradation. Throughout the
Christian world suicide has been con-
demned and considered a crime, but the
world seems asleep az present on this
subject, due no doubt 10 the fact that
suicides are now SO frequent.
Suicide is an act OF cowsrdice through
out and reveals the lack OF individuality
and courage 10 face plain facts and live
them down. According 70 the recent ac-
counts published. the expectation Of flo
raj tributes TO be sent 10 the funeral was
allu-ing. A stupid public is always ready
with boque:s for moral idiots instead OF
an attempt 10 bring them to common
sense. This was seen during the con-
finment OF Giteau. The felon was de-
lugei with boquet5 from silly women
and he was constantly upheld by these
marks OF attention in mis- belief that he
had committed noble act and deserved
We'll OF his country.
II one is an observer Of events he will
notice that whenever a crime * agita,ei
or minu;ely described tner are always
repetitiOns of the SANE crime. as there
are ever plenty Of unfortunate, in the
proper mental state 20 Immediately
grasp and carry out the same line %
thought: Lee Quaci. compound be ex-
tensively advertised. and ne popuiace
rush 10 test is efficacy. and in a like
manner the committing OF suicide seems
allu-.ag by example. and is rushed after
by the morbid. A; a period in the his
t0Ty Q. one O. ne European C0ullE!es
this epidemic OF suicide among women
reached such alarming rae that i vac
was found necessary 70 attach severe
penIa;y % the offence. and a woman
caugh, in The a;:ernp; was dragged naked
through the streets as Al example and
warning 20 me Ike minded.
The laws % England regard il as
felony Augustine classified al! suicides
a. Ao-iicideS. and distinctly condemned
ne practise. Socrates who was he
giea: master % ethics. was most empas-
tic in Condemnation OF L.
The aTgumen; which Pluca-ch ana
other p-iters derived from nume-ou. d.
ges,s was Tia; true courage Is shown in
ne nsznfll endurance % suffering. xhIie |
suicide. being an &C: Of fight. Is an scs
% c9wa-dice. and therefore unworthy u
man.
&c: suct events be looked upon IL ne !
liga: Of crime ra,as- than pity al3as, and !
tae.- occurrence viii De less frequent
OAsE~S1LA
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