National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-06

Fourteen FEARS n Ags-A TppH n the Grammar
School, Third District, M. Charles
b. Hilton, Teachsr.l
Observation teaches US that this subject merits
the consideration II now receives from the PHI
anthropic Of our country.
We are taught that every species Of the animal
Kingdom, from the elephant to the mnutest In
sect, were created to be controlled and used by
While we believe this TO he the case, vet we
know there are statutes Of limitation which de-
bar mankind from exercising dcspOtic and I'M
These statutes are the Divine law, municipal
regulations, the influences Of society, and an In
ward conviction Of right and wrong; yet not
wlthstandlnR these, you may traverse our entire
country and witness almost every day upon
nearly every thorOughfOre marks Of cruelty to
domestic animals which torCibly Illustrate the
necessity VI decisive and concerted action to
arrest, In this respect, the inhumanty Of men.
Controlled by the desire Of gain, the ayarclOus
overload and OyerwOrk their beasts Of burden,
while Others, from uncontrolled Impulse and
tery passion, forget the law In the exercise Of
their cruel acts, aud seem not TO heed the beau
tifu percept Of solomon, "a righteous man re-
glrdeth the life Of his beast, but the tender mer-
Ces Of the wicked are crucl.n
Hence It Ia that organizations are needed to
correct this evil by enforcing the execution Of
laws which may prevent many revolving In
stances Of cruelty 10 domestic animals.
other forms Of cruelty to animals besides over
loading, overworking and otherwise abusing
beasts OF burden are so numerous that we will
attempt to recite only few Of them, and such as
are common to our everyday observation. Among
these Is wantOnness IN staying innocent birds
and other game more than we desire for luxury,
or need for sustenAnCe.
The low and vicious train dumb animals for
savage warfare to minister to their base passions
for cruel sport; and though we deem II unciyi-
lied, yet without rebuke we permit the cultl-
waited and refined TO hunt and decOy harmless
birds, that they may Kill and wound them with
out mercy, and only for sport.
Neglected childh OO,l unlnnuenced by the i'm
prcssons Of good society, brought up with
out parental care, results In hardening the
| mind Of youth 80 that they take pleasure In
| exercising unmerciful authority over the brute
creation. These, In their bOyhOOd, destroy
birds nests, and taxi pleasure In witnessing the
| anguish Of the sOng-blrls, which live near the
! habitatOns Of men, and contribute 50 largely by
| their melodies to our happiness. They, In their
maturity, without that education which eleyates
/ the mind and Testratns mans violent impulses
are often guilty II that cruelty which would
upon Its recital cause the heart to ache with In
tense sorrow. such, In their youth, need the
/ benenCent influence Of home where Kindness
| Is the ruling element; they need the teachings Of
! the sunday school, where the light Of religious
truths will raise their minds to nnbler and purer
! enlOyments; they need the advantage Of COM
| m6n.schOO Instruction to refine ami bring to
light the better qualities Of their nature.
Natural history IL replcte with facts showing
the beneficial effect and power Of Kindness over
| wild a. well As domestic animals, The most fe-
rOriOus animals, even the king Of beasts, exhibit
| gratitude to their benefaCtOrs, and remember In
. diyidual acts Of Kindness throughout life; and
| wild freedom through forests untraversed by
man, 1t Il more especially true OF those that
labor for our benefit.
Kindness to those that toll for Ms under the
/ swelteTng heat Of the summer sun and piercing
cold storms Of winter so faithful and true In all
climates, should he an inward prompting Of the
heart.
Kindness to the noble animal that contributes
by lts labor so largely to our pleasure and sup
port will yield more than an ample recOmpeuse
In the gratitude II will display, aud In the greater
ability II will have to perform It's daily task.
The horse, under kind treatment, IA the most
noble and useful Of the many animals provided
for the use and comfort Of mankind, and II II to
he regretted that on II falls more abuse than any
| other
Justice and mercy alike call upon Us In clear
and unmlstakAble tones TO do what we can Ia
mitigate, II we cannot entirely destroy, this In
humanity to these mute animals that have no
voice to plead their own cause.
Then let us with one mind unite with those
who, from generous Impulses and benevolent
minds are at work In this labor Of love, so full
Of humanity, and through the press, by lectures,
by publications, by universal education, and by
example, WELD power In the community that
shall infuse a sense OF duty, spirit Of tender.
ness and mercy, among all that have charge OF
any OF Gods creatures.