Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-07
Mother Suicide

1 was not surprised when a man wrote
10 me- rebuke me for what l wrote OF
race suicide as contrasted with mother
suicide some weeks ago. He miscon-
ceived my motive and misconstrued my
words, of course, to reach his desire to
rebuke me, but l welcome fair and
full discussion of the subject and /
have nothing TO take back or to apol-
ogize for in my previous article.
We need investigation, and no reform
is ever possible until the public mind
is aroused 10 dangers or evils, and the
only way to reach truth or facts is TO
look at such subjects from every posi-
BILE point OF view.
Within 50 years / confidently expect
that marriage ncenses will be censored
by the proper authorities, for the sake
OF children as well as parents. 1t is
simply preposterous that the human kind
are allowed to marry pell-mell. without
regard to disease or disability. when the
animal world is strictly limited to the
best breeds, and intent on wedding OUT
scrubs of all kinds Wherever possible.
Fifteen years ago, according to reli-
able statistics, there we're between IO0OOe
and a million of dependent people who
were obliged to be cared for in the Uni
ted States in various public Institutions
and who were deaf. dumb, blind, de-
formed, demented and hopelessly degen-
crate. With some rare exceptions 1t
would have been better for all hands
II they had never been born into the
world. 1t was their misfortune. not their
fault. that they were obliged. TO pass
through life MANNED in body and mind
Oftentimes a misery to themselves and
always in a sad condition for those bound
to them by either blood or affection.
/ am not going to enter into dis
eussion OF heredity in this connection. but
the Bible tells US the sins OF the faith
ers are laid on the children TO the third
and fouT-h generation" and 1 am here
10 say that no sensible woman can be
content TO become the mother of help
less children, with an incbriate father,
or one who is morally deficient in the
graces of the fatherhood; and we know ii
is a cruel sacrifice.
IF that is treason, make the most of
it," IL one might get the honest facts,
In prisons or insane asylums, or even in
well respected sanitariums,it would be dis
covered that mental, moral or physical
disabilities in parents had led the way
TO unhappiness or disease, in nine cases
out Of every ten.
We have reached a period when sick
~ women. under the care of doctors are
the rule. and vigorous mothers the excep-
before: A sicIxly or diseased mother can
not give health and vigor to her offspring,
when there is none in her makeup to
bestow, dearly as she loves her child;
and il Is not a question OF how many
sicSly children the world needs. but how
many that are endowed with mental. NOR
al and physical health and strength to
meet existing conditions of stress and
strain in the battle of life.
AS I explained before, there is no per-
son alive who has less patience than my
self with the crime of Observation-Disclosures
such crimes go with lust and abnormal
passion) but / shall never advocate the
martyrdom of a mother, where she must
sacrifice health and strength and bring
only feebe children into existence, be-
cause Of the cry that she is recreant ia
duty, II she fails TO produce a large fami-
ly OF children, under the most depressing
and disheartening conditions. too often g
sacrifice of her own life in the end.
Common sense should be the teacher
in matters Of this sort, and / may add the
mother is deserving Of common humanity
when bearing the greatest and most ex-
allied burden known to human life. name
ly. the burden OF motherhood and what
II means to her and to all that she loves