Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser

Condition of Lunatics.—In another part of our paper, we give extracts from the Report of Dr. Stribling, Physician of the Western Lunatic Hospital, to which the attention of the reader may be well directed. The subject is one which makes an appeal to every humane citizen in the land, but especially to every law-giver.—It is one which cannot be contemplated, without exciting a deep and solemn interest. Much has been done in Virginia for the melioration of the condition of that unhappy class of people who have been deprived of the God-like quality of reason, but much yet remains to be effected. The two Hospitals, though greatly enlarged, are still insufficient for the accommodation of the miserable beings who require the care and guardianship of a paternal government; and almost every jail in the State contains from one to five of them, whose malady is increased by the very nature of their treatment. The idea, if entertained, that the gloomy walls of a common prison will restore a disordered brain, is irrational and cruel; and the character of the Old Commonwealth is involved in the perpetuation of so horrible a system. We trust that the stain will soon be removed, and that another session of the Legislature will not be permitted to pass away, without some decisive and enlarged action upon this subject. The report of the Staunton physician cannot fail to make its way to the heart of every reflecting member, nor can the claims of suffering humanity be much longer disregarded. It has been our fortune to be located directly opposite to the jail of this small county, and our ears have for years been pierced by the screams of various unhappy inmates, bereft of reason and self-control. At first, we heard the wailings of but one forlorn female—since that period, four or five have poured out their griefs through the iron gratings of their dismal cells, and two of them have been released by Death. It is impossible for us, thus situated, not to feel keenly for, and sympathise deeply with, these objects of distress; for the heart must be colder than ice itself which could not be touched by such appeals. We claim no credit for tenderness to which others are strangers, but we deem it our duty to call attention to a cause which is the cause of humanity itself, and one which, if properly considered, cannot be disregarded. At least, we may invoke the attention and exertions of our own immediate delegates. Hearts such as theirs cannot be insensible. The liberality of the people they represent, will sustain them in all good works.