The sun., 1900-09-20
SUICIDE.
A Suggestion That II I, Increasing. and Ihat
Sensational Papers Cause II.

SensatlOnh fapcfs tausV ."
To THE EDITOR or THE sUN-Sir' The
number OF suicides recorded in the New \ ork
papers during the last few days Is soneth'ns
appalling. and there can be no doubt that SUI
eide is rapidly on the increase. IL seem -
therefore. that the subject should call Tor very
careful consideration with a view to seeing II
something cannot be done TO arrest the prog
ress OF this terrible crime. II we take careful
note OF the suicides Of the present day we shall
find that while the use Of carbolic acid and the
pistol are favored means OF self-destruction.
hanging IL less resorted 10. And venture To
think that this indicates a peculiar phase of
suicidal mania. Years ago when public eNecn-
tions by hanging were common suicide by
hanging was the favorite method. The legls-
lative prohibition OF public execution both IN
this country and In Great Britain has very con-
sidera ably lessened self-destruction by hanging.
and now other methods are adopted
Another peculiar feature OF modern suicide Is
that OF two persons mutually agreeing TO end
their lives together. This think must be ac-
counted for. And there can be little doubt that
the sensational publications or such suicides.
with portraits Of the individuals and the most
minute circumstances connected with heevent.
produce peculiar form OF suicidal mania In
weak minds: while the fact that the various
denominations OF thrlStlanlty 90 not loTDlu ~
In former years. Christian burial 20 the sue De
very largely Removes one OF the horror- which
IN the last century. repelled morbid minds from
suicide
1t is a dangerous precedent 70 establish that
in any way the Liberty Of the press should .S be
turtaiied But II seems 10 me thar ] II the ,aT
their tendency to promote immortality and to
deaden the sense OF thu public conscience, some
OF sensa tional accounts Of snicide.
write as the pastor Of a church. And ] can
assure YOU that after somewhat lengthened
ministry in the city have had some very pain.
ful experiences Of the suicidal tendency or
Young people. A daughter who has been
hesitate To- declare that she will make away With
herself II she cannot have her own way. Young
men in love with Young women who do not
really care for them do not hesitate TO threaten
murder and self-dnstructon unless their wishes
are compiled with Some OF these cases are
made made Inbhc but only few | ,ln know ", Of
left with her husband for another city and
wa induced TO drink carboc acid by her hus,
band bee ause he had committed forgery. and
with the assurance that he would also take his
own life There ls every reason to believe that
& The young coward gave his Dung bride 1 carb9liG
his own miserable existence
Suicide has always been common among
yenial bv The Roman law. il was subject OF
panegvric by Stoc philosophers. 1t IL COM
mon among the b ddhsts. especially In China
pressed suicide in the West while Mohann-
mechanism suppressed Il In the East The
prophet Of Arabia refused funeral rights 10 a
suicide. And for many centuries In Great
Britain the punishment inflicted on a suicide
consisted In an ignoIninous burial 10 the high,
wav. with stake driven through the body and
without Christian rites and legal consequence
was the forfeiture Of the goods and chattels Of
the deceased to the Crown. The burial always
took place at night
In the present age We may look upon these
provisions as a remnant OF barbarism but there
can be no doubt that they acted as deterrent
10 weak minds
1t is not very long ago that a clergyman In
this CITY received q not" requesting him 10 visit
dying person He discovered that the woman
had gone into drug store to buy clrbolic acid
in order to kill herself. and at the same time had
written TO the clergyman requesting him 10 be
present so that she might die with the consola-
tions OF the Christian Church,
The time has surely come when Christian
opinion should be reused on this subject. and
when sympathy should no longer be extended
to those who act Ike cowards and. instead Of
meeting the DerpleJites OF life with faith and
patience. decide TO die together lust simply be
cause they have no dread Of something after
death CLRRIcUs
NEW YORK, Sent II