The New York herald., 1874-06-27
Bergh's Hum anfty.

To Animals in his efforts to defend the right
of dogs to bite promiscuously. we have always
been desirous to turn his philanthropy to
practical account for the benefit of suffering
humanity. While SO many human beings are
suffering we have no tears to shed for dead
dogs, though we admire the many noble in
stincts of 1.-The friend of man. Still we pre-
fer the man to his friend and if only we could
induce the worthy gentleman who presidos
over the fates of the lower animals to turn his
eyes towards rational beings we feel that we
should have accomplished much for the cause
of mercy and humanity. Without wishing to
detract from the merit of vagabond cur, we
do estimate thousand-fold more highly the
meanest biped that crawls through the slums
of this great city, even though the human ami
NAL may be weighted down with sin and de-
graded even to the lowest depths. Not that
we desire to palliate cruelty, however exer-
csed, but that while human being remains
to be rescued, we hold it to be false
humanity to waste our sympathies on
the brute. 1t would seem also that
the sufferings of the dog have monopolized
the attention of Mr. Bergh and his attendant
angels. On the wrongs of other animals the
recording spirit drops tear, and they are
allowed to sink into oblivion. AT one time
the horse received some attention but. judg-
ing from the Indifference shown to this
noblest quadruped OF late days, there must
have arisen some cause Of GOODNESS between
Equus and Bergh. Now the bus horse may
sweat and groan under his heavy burden, and
Bergh utters not in sympathy single sigh.
Merchants and spectators can now reach
home in time for dinner untroubled by
thought of rueful countenance or hard-visaged
virtue, and the Hippodrome invites the
public to witness steeple chases, where gentle
woman and noble horses risk life and limb
for the amusement of the giddy crowd. Still
is Bergh silent.
Here, then, we have double cause to plead
the horse, if not the woman, has q claim
on philanthropy. On many occasions lately
horse and rider have been thrown mangled
into the arena, and neither law nor philan-
thropy has protested against such cruel
sport. Hurdle racing under the most
favorable conditions is full of dan
ger. 1t is the favorite sport of men
in the prime of life, full Of vigor and daring.
1t demands courage, skill and powerful horses,
and, above oil, it demands n fair field with
plenty Of room. Even under these conditions
it is decidedly risky pastime, full Of peril to
limb and life. But when pursued in miser-
able circus with worn-out hunters, tired out
skilled in the exercise and within a narrow
space that leaves no hope Of escape for the
unfortunate who falls, from the trampling
hoofs Of succeeding horses, it becomes brutal
and inhuman. 1t is fair question for philan-
thropy whether Snowman has right thus
to play with the lives of human beings for his
selfish profit. 1t may be that mere men and
women have no right to protection from the
law; but greater mercy has been extended to
the brute. In the name Of the injured horse,
if not of the manned and crushed woman,
Mr. Bergh can interfere and put an end to
this cruel sport. 1t will be urged that the
managers of the Hippodrome have expended
large sums in providing entertainment for the
public, and that few broken necks, be they
necks of horses or of women, should not
be allowed to interfere with vested
rights But in the interests of humanity
this plea must be set aside. If the managers
desire to amuse the public let them ride the
hurdle races themselves-to this we have NO
objection. Should they unfortunately break
their necks the deterrent effect the accident
would exercise on other enterprising indi-
viduals might in some sort console the public.
But, in the meantime we hope that the phil
| anthropic Bergh will turn his eyes from the
s'dog STAR towards the Hippodrome and give
poor humanity the benefit of his benevolence.
| IMPROVED POSTAL FACILITIES WITH FRANCE. =
| The Post Office Department was officially in
formed yesterday by tbs French Minister that
the postal convention between France and the
United States had been ratified by the National
Assembly The Minister wanted the conven-
ton to go into operation the 1st of july but
this cannot be, as the 1st OF August is the
date fixed. The charge for letters Of one.
third of an ounce from France to the United
States will be ten cents, which is consider
able reduction, and nine cents for half an
ounce from the United States to France. Five
cents additional will be charged on unpaid
letters. The postage on samples, books and
newspapers is to be separately arranged, &C.
cording to the locality from which they may
be sent In this postal arrangement our gov
ernment has shown its liberality in order tc
induce the. French government to make O
convention and for the purpose of facilitating
intercourse between the two countries.
THE Ice MONOPOLY. Ice consumers in this
city are beginning already to raise the
cry of robbery and monopoly on the part
OF the companies that supply them with
the needed cooling element during the dog
days. The ice companies come for