The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-22

convention winch We puuliSA peio"'-
There is much unorganized material for a
local Sportsmen's Association in Elkton
and vicinity, and tho time has arrived when
a concerted movement should be made all
over the country for the protection of game
animals and fish; and also for the protec-
ton of birds in general, which are the
farmers best friends. The study Of nat
ural history is much neglected, although
one of the most pleasing, as we'll as most
useful studies than can be pursued. The
Legislatures of many Of the States are
moving in the matter of protecting and
stocking the waters with fish, and protect
ing the feathered tribe and game animals,
but in order to give force to the laws passed,
and appropriations made for these useful
purposes, public sentiment must be cult
waited till it is strong and healthy on these
important subjects, and the formation of
local Sportsmen's Associations is the best,
in fact, the only way to accomplish so desir-
able an object.
A Call for a National Spertsmen's Asso-
citation.
The "New. York State Association for
the Protection of Fish and Came" believ-
ing that the time had arrived when public
sentiment was in favor of forming Grand
National Organization for the protection of
Fish and Game, did, in convention assem-
bled at Oswego, N. Y, on June 20, 1874,
adopt the following:
"Resolred, That this Association in Con-
vention assembled, do indorse the call for a
National Association, issued in The Ameri-
can Sportsman of February 81, 1874, hav-
ing for its object the procurement of Gin
telligent and efficient legislation for the
protection of Game Birds and Fish, and
did name the 9th day of September, 1874,
and Niagara Falls, N. Y, as the proper
time and place for holding such convention,
and did appoint US as delegates to said con-
vention, now
Therefore, We do issue this call to all
State Sportsmen's Associations and Local
Organizations where no State Associations
exist, and gentlemen-s portsmen where no
local clubs exist, to take the matter in hand
and send delegates to said convention, and
make the meeting one worthy of American
neutrality-suspicious.
A. c. Nation, Oswego; S. T. Murray,
Niagara Falls; n. Rowe, West Troy; Geo.
w. Flower, WATERFOWL; W. ]. Babcock,
Rochester.
OswEGo, N. Y, August 1, 1874.
Tho formation of National Sportsmen's
Association at this time is attracting the
attention not only of persons devoted to
the taking of animals, fish, and fowl, for
profit, but also of sportsmen and others
who are DESTROYS of preventing the wanton
destruction of creatures used for the food
or comfort of man.
When the primitive emigrants first ar
rived in this country, they found the for
ests, seas, and streams swarmlng with anil
NAL life, the result of centuries of undis-
turbed security. From that day the de-
struction of these creatures began, first for
the preservation of life and for raiment;
next us articles Of sale and commerce, or to
be used in the arts of civilized life; again,
as population increased, the destruction
increased for purposes of sport.
This unrestricted slaughter has at length
resulted in the total determination in this
country of some varieties of animals and
birds, or driving them SO far away from
populated districts that isolated specimens
are now only rarely found i'll the remotest
wildernesses. The Beaver, which was once
SO freely found in Pennsylvania, no longer
exists. The Deer, which were once so
plentiful in various sections of the country,
are becoming rare, and various other ami
mails, birds, and fish are now the subjects
of legislative enactments. So great i'm
portance is attached to the preservation Of
fish, that many States have not only re-
stricted the time of fishing, but have passed
laws and have made appropriations and
appointed eminent citizens as commission
ers for the purpose of restocking streams
and lakes which the cupidity of man has
almost depopulated.
While in the general sense it is to the
interest of society that this indiscriminate
slaughter be stopped, on no one class of
men does the duty of guiding public senti-
ment, instigating harmonious international
laws and attention to proper regard for
the same, devolve so much as on the sports
man.
The amateur who delights in hunting
and fishing-not for gain, but for healthful
recreation-for recuperation-fore exercise,
is of all men the ono who appreciates the
importance Of cheap food and raiment for
the people, whose interests are his charge,
will use his endeavors to provide laws, that
future generations may not be deprived of
the blessings which this generation is so
wantonly destroying.
In this view, the preservation of the fur
seal in Alaska, the bison of the plains, the
fish in our rivers and streams, and the
crustacea on our sea coasts, is of moment
GUS Importance.
With view of procuring concentration
of interest and effort, it is how deemed
desirable to form National organization,
that the action of sportsmen may be har-
monious and uniform in all districts of our
common country; and for this purpose a
movement has been inaugurated by the
"New York State Association for the Pro
lection of Fish and Came" in Prelimi-
nary Meeting at Niagara Falls Oh Septem-
Der 8, 1874, to take such action as may then
seem advisable.
A. c. NATION,
Chairman of n. Y. State Committee.
A NIsCHIEvoUs REPORT DENIED.-A
Washington despatch to the New York
Tribune says: