New Ulm review., 1912-10-16
Debate in Mems Club


The Mems Club of the Congrega-
tional Church had most interesting
discussion last Thursday evening at
their first meeting of the winters
series. A debate had been arranged
and the question was, Resolved, that
Euthanasia is justifiable under proper
auspices and in hopeless cases." Rev.
Wheeler took the affirmative side of
the question. In his remarks be said
that he did not wish it understood that
he was advocating suicide in general
but that his attention in considering
the question had been confined to
cases of hopeless paralysis and in
sanity and mortal injuries that
entailed great suffering on the victims.
such as the caee OF people burned be-
yond recovery in wrecks. and similar
catastrophies. In these instances he
believed that Euthanasia might be
entirely justifiable. He compared the
practice of executing criminals in
order to remedy social i'll and
thought there was a parallel 10 the
taking away of life that had become
burden to the individual thru physical
ills. He urged that one of the
teachings of Christ is mercy and that
often death is a mercy to the sufferer
and that the religious aspect OF the
case justifes the following of the
spirit rather than to be slaves OF the
letter of the law. He said that the
history of Christian doctrine shows
that in times gone by it was not con-
sidered wicked to take the life of
man or woman suffering with moral
ailments. Mr.. Wheeler then explained
that he was not advocating the mere
lodging of suffering. He understood
that suffering is often q means of up
building character but after q person
has lived a useful, beautiful life it is
unnecessary TO force long-drawn out
suffering upon him; that it is .
principle Of religion that suffering
should never be inflicted for its own
sake. He cited the case of man
suffering useless torture in illness
that saps the strength of his friends as
we'll as his own and that good sense
would recommend q provision for
ending the torture in q humane
fashion without waiting for long
delayed release by what 10 termed
natural desth. Mr.. Wheeler thought
q state commission might be ap-
pointed to look into cases where
Euthanssia would seemingly be justi-
fable and decide upon the matter.
DR.. Strickler in his talk for the
negative said he didn't agree with q
word that Rev. Wheeler had said
with the exception of the instance OF q
person terribly injured. In such an
instance Euthanasia he, too, thought
might possibly be justified. AS to the
State Commission proposed by Rev.
Wheeler, DR.. Strickler said he would
not serve on suchla commission and he
doubted much whether three reputable
physicians could be found in the state
who would be willing to serve because
the medical profession does not be-
lieve in shortening life. AS to cases
of insanity, the doctor advocates pre-.
vention rather than cure. He believes
if Euthanasia became common the
suicidal tendency would be increased
and society would be greatly injured
by lowering of the moral tone.
After these two arguments we're
delivered the discussion 5ecame
general. E. J. Buehrer, DR.. L. A.
Fritsche and Capt. Pfsender argued
against Euthanasia. DR.. Fritsche
thought the only good it might do
would be to keep people not really i'll
from pretending they we're. The
concensus of opinion was so greatly
against Rev. Wheeler that he finally
remarked that he was sorry the
question had not read, "Resolved,
tha at Euthanasia as practised by our
physicians is justiiable," and thus
secured hearty laugh for his side of
the argument. L. B. Krook enter
tanned the club members with two
Either solos and committee con-
sisting of G. A. Ottomeyer and F. II.
Krook was appointed to prepare the
program for the next meeting the
second Thursday in November.
Democratic County Com mittee
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