2
THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, FEBRUARY 22, 1900.
Edward Bond Foote, Jr.,n.D .
1876 to 1896 be, together with his Congregational orthdoxy to Unit- ralism) of Mr. T. B. Wakeman, to
father, edited the ‘ Health Month- arianism, in which stage he was whom I am glad of an opportunity
Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., haw endeared ly,” which was only relinquished on well stuffed with Christian Sundav to offer publicly many thauks for
himself to the Liberals of America actount of the partial retirement of school, Bible and other literature much useful, rational, liberal in­
in a way that few men have ever the father, and the impossibility of and doctrines. Then, after coming struction. Lastly, I look forward
been able to do. Yet his great the two brothers running a large to New York, this Uuitarianism be- to cremation, and anticipate noth­
work has been done so unpreten­ medical magazine and practice at came very liberal under Rev. O. D. ing further.”
tiously that many are not aware to the same time. Phis periodical did Frothingham and hisSunday school.
I hat is, he is not wasting any
what extent he and his influences a most efficient work in populariz- Then he struck the Liberal Club
anxiety about any “next world,”
have sustained the great cause so ing medical remedies and hygiene, and its influences with the Positiv­
dear to them. We give, therefore, and was in many ways a public ism of Comte rarified and sublim­ hut making what he fairly can of
his portrait and the best sketch of benefaction — the Doctors Foote ated by Stephen Pearl Andrews, himself in and for this. Entertain­
ing these views, he is very sure to
his life we can gather.
having the rather peculiar medical “the Pantarch,” and then toned
be present at every Liberal meet­
Dr. Foote, Jr., had the good for­ belief that medical light is the most down into a practical American and ing, club, and convention withiu
tune to be well born, that is, in a useful when not hidden under a working shape of “Constructive reach, and to give it the support of
goodly place and of excellent par­ bushel, and that doctors do good as Liberalism,” by T. B. Wakeman. his heart and hand, voice and
entage. He first saw the light on they let the light out. Dr. Edward, On that basis he has ever since, he means. And the advice of no one
the Connecticut settlement of the Jr., has done his part in this light- says, been working out into greater has proved sounder or better in the
“ Western Reserve,” near Cleveland, spreading business by pen and breadth and clearness, and gaining long run. He had long been a
Ohio, August 15, 1854. Hi.- father, tongue. He uses stenography and brighter hopes of the good that can
member of the N. Y. Liberal Club
Dr. Edward Bliss Foote, the distin­ dictates j nd writes with great be done on earth.
and then of the Manhattan Liberal
guished physician, Liberal ^.nd re­ facility. His books, pamphlets,
As a summary of his views we
Club in New York, and in April,
former, is so widely and favorably articles, letters and lectures have may take the following sketch,
1888, was elected, and has since
known that his two sons might been constantly going out for years which he wrote six years ago. when
have been overshadowed, as is often on medical, Liberal and all kinds requested to send his “confession” continued to be, its President. As
such he has well kept his promise
the case, if they had not genuine of reform topics
His rule is, to Mr. S. P. Putnam’s “Four Hun­
—to give her a common sense and
too
ability of their own. Part of this ‘ ‘ Never
dred Years of plain management, and “keep her
ability they doubtless owe to their much,” “Stand
F reethought, ’ ’ nose to the windward.” He has
mother, who was also of New Eng­ on the middle,
and which only thus avoided wrecks, and perhaps
land stock, and a thorough and useful ground,”
needs to be‘mov- startling achievements. He has
efficient teacher, and graced with “Buy and sell
ed on’ to apply also done much active and useful
remarkable strength and beauty of the goods that
to today:
work as secretary of the “National
person. Both parents still survive. will wear;” and
“It makes me Defense Association,” from 1877 to
Our young Dr. Foote had his share this is all ap­
feel rather lone­ 1887, and also by individual efforts
of early country life; and as a good plied and said
some to build as occasion required, in opposing
and well-beloved boy wras given the in a plain, sim­
my
platform, “Comstockism” in State and N a­
benefit of such public and private ple style that a
and I even won­ tion. This “ism” always seemed to
schools as could be found, until he person has to be
der whether I him one of the most immoral, cruel
found himself well in his “teens,” very stupid not
may not have to and disgusting forms of ignorant
growing up with his family, which to understand.
occupy it all and bigoted repression since the
was then getting a good profession­ These are the
alone. If there inquisition and that it has been
al foothold in the great city, New qualities which
be others cast to kept within some bounds is largely
York. There also, for two years, Dr. Foote has
fit this mold,just due to his efforts in the press and
he attended the Columbia College also brought to
like me,I should
School of Mines; and then four bear in his work for Liberalism. He be glad to know where to find them, before Congress and State Legis­
years were spent in the well-known has believed that in religion,a3 well though I am far from wishing that latures.
As events have moved on in poli­
College of Physicians and Surgeons as in medicine,and,indeed,in every- every one should agree with me all
in that city, from which he gradu­ thing, the remedy for human ills around. In medicine I am eclectic, tics, they have seemed to deepen
ated well equipped in 1876, at 22 was to be found in knowledge and with preference for hygienic prac- his sympathy for the “under dog”
—socially, politically and in every
years of age.
general enlightenment and conse- tice,but a believer ir utility of med- other way. He gave the Populist
He soon found work enough for quent skill of use, instead of ignor- icine; an advocate of medical free-
and Bryan movement his hearty
him to do—medical, literary, Libe- ance, repression, and dependence
r
. .. dom, or abrogation of all restrictive support, but is no party partisan in
ral and reformatory; and congenial upon authority and the “consensus laws that rule out undiplomaed
politics, but a Republican of the
work of this kind has occupied his of the competent.” He has believed ‘healers;’an anti vaccinationist,but a
life, most usefully and product-
the extending of the competent believer in utility of vivisection Paine, Jefferson, Washington and
«il_. at . asser-
_
Inn
__1 far as possible.
*11
-r»
- . has . limited.
. . . As a - hygienist
. . 1 favor(and Lincoln school and instincts, with
ively, without ......
any attempt
as fast and
He
tion or notoriety.
sought “to open up things,” and almost practice)vegetarianism,avoid no confidence in trying to reform
or civilize people at home or abroad
As a physician he had theadvan- Sjve light and air and free circula- tobacco, and apply prohibition of
by imperialism or compulsion.
tage of an early introduction to his t*on *n body and mind, and even alcholics to myself. I am one of
In one thing our friend has
father’s extensive and original med- s°ciety, a chance—even if Nature the neo-malthusian cranks who
proved deficient; while giving his
ical practice, and soon became his Sot tde credit of the cure instead of would limit population, and my pet
life largely for the relief, liberation
mainstay and chief reliance. His the doctor« the priest, or the lawyer, hobby is ‘engenics,’ or the right of
and advancement of womanhood,
father has of late yearB largely In short> he ha8 ««ver believed that every child to be born well, or not
he lits never been able, as yet, to
withdrawn from active practice, the bottoul of the universe would at all. So I also advocate woman
descend from the general to the
except for purposes of consultation; fall out, or that men and women suffrage, and the sexual emancipa-
and our Dr. Edward, together with wou,d not soon learn to do what tion of woman, less bondage in particular in his admiration. But
even in
his brother, Dr. Hubert Foote, have was best f°r themselves if they only marriage, far greater freedom in least
h this he may reform, and at
least
fully sustained the fame and effi- know what, and how, and had a divorce, and believe that every child arn
jeei he has the plea of great ex-
ciency. The business is at No.
Nn 120
190 chance. He is thus a Freethinker, slmnld ho QQ
„„ I _P eS
w ‘ v' “
T° eOm UP->f “The Christ” should
Lexington Avenue, New York. We and yet a Constructive Liberal. In n ^ n r 1 ^ p “,
mention this business position and
its thoroughness because it has been he has quietly given to Liberal and erate protective tariff, bimetallism money-changer«, priestsInd Pbari
the foundation of Dr. Foote’s life re orm affairs and movements the on the old basis (for the present), sees, scribes and lawyers—their
and chaiacter. He has tried above time and means that most success­ and greenbackism as soon as we palaces and temples, hut if he
ali things to be a good, well-posted
professional men give to“church- can be freed from barbarous devo- should run up against the president
and faithful 1 physician,
aud the es,” or “orders,” “societies,” etc.
’
tion to metals. As to religion, I of
j ” the
“ Liberal Club would it not be
great success of his life has been
He does not claim any credit for am an Agnostic, subscribe
scribe to the m
nhveinion > shake!
ei,„i.„i We
ray v ‘aond
‘good physician,’
his success in doing that. The this—says it all came about nat- articles
¡les of Secularists, and find
f
my- have been trying to do very much
literary part of his life and chaeac- urally and healthfully. His pareuts self pretty closely in accord with . the same
You have the
f .4 things.
--
D ... .
.
best of it so far — and may you
ter grew out of bis medical. From 1 naturally changed from the old
the Positivism (Constructive Libe- ever!”—[Freethought Magazine?
t ________ ________