Five letters for and against abortion printed in the Door County Advocate, from April 19 to May 8 in 1973
These are courtesy of the Door County Library newspaper archive.
April 19, 1973
ABORTION
Here are four ways to kill an unborn child as reported by the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Inc.
No. I — To abort an early pregnancy, the doctor inserts a tube through the womb and connects it to a suction cup. The suction is so great that the fetus is broken up into a fluid mass. It [is] passed through the tube and is collected in a bottle.
No. 2 — The doctor stretches the mouth of the womb to admit a forceps or currete. The doctor must work by touch alone, often cutting the baby into several pieces in order to get it out. The head may be crushed to reduce its size for withdrawal.
No. 3 --Larger babies to be aborted may require an abdominal operation. The womb is cut open and the baby lifted out.
It usually squirms and moves its arms and legs. It tries to breathe and may manage a feeble cry. If the lungs are too immature to function, it will soon stop moving. but frequently the heart continues to beat for some time before if dies.
No. 4 - The doctor can stick a large needle through the belly wall and into the womb.
After withdrawing some fluid, a strong, sterile, saltwater solution is injected in effect pickling the baby alive. The baby may thrash about for a few minutes, but soon it becomes perfectly still. In about 24 hours, labor will start and the already dead body is delivered.
This technique can be used right up to the very end of pregnancy.
If we as a nation, legalize abortion, isn't this murder in the first degree?
Shouldn't the Supreme Court find more worthwhile things to do than interfere with (God's law) nature? Sooner or later, to those who advocate, practice, enter into, except to save the mother's life, God will punish.
ART WERKHEISER
May 8, 1973
ABORTION REPLY
Art Werkheiser's letter was a passionate bit of emotionalism designed to shock. Quite a tactic.
How many children have been born unwanted, through the ignorance of birth control methods for sexually mature persons. Outdated laws that should never have been made and the stand of many churches are largely responsible for this ignorance.
Abortion is a last resort. It is not a chosen method of birth control. The decision must be made by the persons involved; they too are Concerned Citizens, concerned enough about the problems and difficulties of bringing up an unplanned and unwanted child. Is it fair to any child that he or she be raised in an environment of an unwanted? What kind of intentional or unintentional punishment can be inflicted on such a child by the unhappy parents? There are enough of each now as it is!
The decision to have an abortion is not an easy one and isn't taken lightly. Parents and children have enough difficulties growing up together — being unwanted can only add unfavorable odds to the process.
If this country does not take a different stand on abortion will abortion be brought to a halt? No! It will only force concerned parents of unwanted pregnancies underground to real murderers and butchers who are unskilled and care nothing for their victims.
May I suggest reading an article, "Never again," by Roberta Brandes Gratz, Ms. Magazine, April, 1473. There is an article that someone who may think beyond blind emotionalism to practicality could find of interest.
And what of pregnancy by unmarried female students and women (not forgetting the men In their lives) who are not ready and have no desire for a shotgun beginning to their marriages and their lives? Do the Right-to-Life people suggest all of these children be brought to term and herded to orphanages and foster homes? That's insane, stupid and cruel.
No group or institution has the right to impose its will on people when it involves a very private and personal decision. This should also apply to the physicians who cannot by their own convictions perform abortions.
No one should be able to force people into abortions (it has been done). Rather, the decision must be left to the individuals involved.
The Supreme Court will simply rule that concerned physicians and clinics are legally able to perform these operations within the law and the right to choose belongs to women and men. It should not be a legal decision. Abortion was a personal decision up until some 170 years ago. "Saving a mother's life" goes beyond therapeutic abortions. There are many ways to ruin lives, one being the parent(s) of an unwanted child or being the child. Abortion may be one way to save many — men and women as well as other children.
ALSO CONCERNED
(three letters)
May 8, 1973
REPLY TO CONCERNED
According to God's law, abortion is murder.
The first commandment, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
What does this mean?
Another of God's commandments, Thou shalt not kill.
What does this mean?
All churches are against abortion, or should be if they abide by the laws of God. We should not abuse the privilege of creation lest there come a time when we want children we will be unable to produce them because of the abuses we have subjected our bodies to.
Some people may say abortion is a last resort, but, are they people who have had or have unwanted parents? Or were or are they unwanted children?
Once abortion is completely legalized, will it be a last resort? Or will it be a first resort for those who are having fun and haven't the intestinal fortitude to accept the responsibilities they create.
There should not be an unwanted child.
They are only unwanted responsibilities for some people.
How any parents can spawn (with God's help) an unwanted child of their own image is beyond me, regardless of the environment.
We often stress our schools' sex and birth control education.
Remember, when we have anything to do with abortion (except for the well being of the mother) we are engaging in murder in the eyes of God.
As for female students, have we too much education?
Shouldn't we go back to smaller specialized schools where one can study what she or she is interested in and retain local control of local affairs?
Is this what high schools and colleges are for? To have fun?
If it is, it sure is expensive on us taxpayers.
When most of those students graduate they get a job with the government.
In closing, I must ask, why are some people so ashamed of the name their parents gave them?
Remember, when we cease to be human beings we become human animals and then it is only one more step down to wild animals and prey on one another.
ART WERKHEISER
LETTER ANSWERED
You called A. Werkheiser's letter a passionate bit of emotionalism deigned to shock. At least his letter was solid fact. You[r] letter says: "And what of pregnancy by unmarried female students and women (not forgetting the men in their lives) who are not ready and have no desire for a shotgun beginning to their marriages and their lives? Do the Right to Life people suggest all these children be brought to term and herded to orphanages and foster homes? That's insane, stupid and cruel."
That last couple sentences are certainly blind emotionalism. What bucket have you had your head under for the last few years? You apparently read and hear what you want to.
When a girl terminates her rights to a baby, it is generally a short time before the baby is placed with his adoptive parents. It can often be done directly from the hospital. Only severely retarded and handicapped babies are institutionalized or put in foster homes for any length of time. Do you realize that it takes from 2-3 years to get a baby you can adopt! You wait about one year for your letter of approval. The next 1 1/2 to 2 years, you wait for your baby. Are you aware that there are [so] few babies that are unwanted that adoption offices are no longer even taking applications for adoption? There is also a limit on the number of children any couple can adopt. A childless couple can only adopt two healthy white infants. The pictures of children on [] and in the Press Gazette are those of older children whose mothers decided after years, that they didn't want them. These children have by then developed the emotional problems you speak of.
People say that a girl who gives up a baby is emotionally scarred for life. The emotional scars of an abortion are also great. My hat goes off to a girl and her parents who have the raw courage to have and give up her baby because she cannot care for it or doesn't want it or is far too young. This baby will be happy, he will be given to a couple who will give him love, a home, and education. I know, our adopted child is the center of our life.
It is not cruel and insane as "concerned" states. It is a balance in nature. No one has to keep an unwanted baby. Give them up. This gives the baby and you and I a chance. Are you afraid you'll lose your neighbors respect? I couldn't respect you or anyone else who would abort a child for other than medical reasons.
ANOTHER CONCERNED CITIZEN
AGAINST ABORTION
I write this letter to "Also Concerned" and anyone else who feels the same as he or she.
I agree with you in only one point of your article. "It is unfair for a child to be raised in an unwanted environment." But your measures for solving the problem are unbelievable.
You say an abortion is a personal thing and should be decided upon by the people involved. Tell me what gives us the right as human beings to decide "Well we really don't want this child — [let's] kill it."
There is only one — our heavenly Father, who decides whether we live or die. We who have made so many senseless decisions in life do not have the right.
At the very moment of conception there is a living human being. I speak and cry with the voice of the unborn "Give us the chance to live."
Sure, there are many hundreds of sad cases of unwed mothers, rapes, unwanted and unloved and neglected children, which in most cases they (the adults) have brought the problem unto themselves. We seem to have a way of making selfish, dirty, messes of our lives.
Now take a young couple with hopes of a family and finding out they will never be parents, of which there are hundreds of cases.
Let this unwanted, unloved child be born into this cold hearted world. But then place it with this young couple who would love and cherish this child. It's so simple, why can't people see?
The breath of life is the most precious gift God gives to us, and now you want to throw it back in his face.
Wake up – you ignorant people! Have you not enjoyed your precious life, joys and sadness, ups and downs, friends, family? Haven't you enjoyed the freshness of spring, hot sun of summer, seen the beautiful leaves of autumn and felt the cold crispness of winter?
What if you were an unwanted child, still in your mother's womb, and she decided she didn't want you so she killed you without hesitating. How then does and abortion sound, if it were you!
Birth as is death is a personal thing between the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Who dare take his place?
FOR LIFE
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