The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-02-21
VOX POPULI.
ARTHUR w. DAVIS MAKES
REPLY TO c. r. DAVIS

Editor Pensacola Journal:
Referring to c. r, Davis's letter in
Thursdays edition of The Journal, in
which he asks some very pertinent
questions, and emphasizes in particu-
lar, the failure of the ministers of the
gospel to point out some way to i'm
prove their conditions.
From that direction, however, ne
may expect no relief, for we were in.
formed recently by a prominent min
lister, that it was their CuJy to teach
us the way to inherit a soft place
in the world to come, rather than ed
wise US how TO meet the requirements
of the material body here.
Be this as it may, we have the
startling facts, CLEANED from every
daily paper, that there are thousands
annually in this great United States,
as well as other civilized countries,
who prematuTely shake off this mortal
coil. and take their chances in the
life beyond the grave, to being damn
ed and starved daily here, with no
other sweetening but the assurar ce
that if We do not suffer the pangs and
pains of an empty stomach in a meek,
lOwIy and accomplishing spirit a pro-
cess of punishment VIII be admins
tered in the next life, together with
various additional reminders compris-
ing pyrOteChniC displays, graded in
magnitude according to the number
and strength of the exceptions taken,
and the strenuosity of our opposition
to being starved in this life, when We
were able and willing 10 exercise our
/ Drawn and muscle, if allowed the op-
portunity, to earn some degree of com
! fort and protection in the pursuit OF
I happiness, as guaranteed to every
/ genus homo in this country, by the
/ glorious constitution promulgated Dy
your Uncle Samuel. For argument
sake we will say there may be some
! degree of excuse for the suicide OF
people of mature age.
The unceasing struggle for bare
and unattractive existence, the daily
grind amidst plenty for the paltry
pittance TO sustain life. the weary
waiting for something better. and tnt
| hideous realization OF the inevitable
approach of old age with its attending
burdens, all, all tend 10 Cypress the
weary brain. But what shall we say
Of the suicide OF the young; of {
/ child, whose whole being should pull
safe with the JOY and exuberance OF
! life, every particle of whose body
should Jingle with the raptures OF Z
new existence promising happiness
and contentment. of rosy hued dream.
and fuIsome gIadness. who comes Il
/ us. a precious charge entrusted TO OII
I keeping fresh from the hands of tht
1 Creator? But alas, what do we see
I What a travesty upon our boosted civ
/ fTZatiOn and our egOJistical claims o.
I Christian service. MAY / attempt u
impress upon your minds the picture:
/ have Witnessed. the narrowing par
| +fcr71arS Of which are slammed uDOT
my brain as wildly today as the day
Ipon which I b5heId them. and which
/ car be erased but with the departure
Of life. to be presented may be at the
| High Tribunal. as damning evidenc;
Of mans inhumanity2
/ \ raw morning in January, the blacl
smoke is pouring from the huge stack
the factory whistle is shriIlv callinl
the workers 10 their daily toll. a pain
full cough CRATES harshly upon the lis
tening ear, and several children o