great authors write books about him; great lawyers draw up petitions
from notable men and women asking for his pardon, and the governor's
secretary works night and day, declining their requests, writing
special permits and "standing off" tearful relatives, friends and
sweethearts, who spring up as if by magic to plead his cause.

"No other man gets half the flattering attention that is given the
condemned; no one else is given half the chance to make a glorious
finish. By some occult influence his faults are utterly effaced and
every latent talent is developed to a point of absolute perfection.
When this 'ne plus ultra' is reached, a quick curtain is dropped over
his career, and he lives in the memory of countless thousands as a
martyred hero of the most splendid moral and mental attainments.

"Who would not sacrifice life for such a climax? Many men have said to
Fame and Wisdom, 'Let me look upon your face and die'; many have come
to view their Gorgon features and cheerfully paid the price, and still
more have perished miserably on the way.

"Now, what is the murderer's sacrifice compared to these? He is
carefully attended, afforded every luxury, and at last, is whisked
away into eternity, quickly, and, as far as possible, painlessly, with
a grand opera and limelight effect.

"We have learned many things from Mongolia; gunpowder, the printing
press and many other great discoveries have been traced back to
Celestial origin. Let us, then, adopt her method of dealing with
troublesome subjects. A 'harikari' sentence saves the nation much
trouble and expense. A coroner's verdict of 'suicide by request,' is
much more simple, and just as good as a lengthy criminal prosecution,