Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1875-12-09
STOCK RAISlN &.
upRoTEcT1oN TO ANIMALS"

Gtl9nU EPIIflDu CSI1o 1
Edwin B. Russell, of st. johns f.E. ohurcii
Delhi, N. 7.
= Tn the sight of God, a beast has rights
which we, as superior intellectual BEINGS
are bound to defend. For human protection
a wild beast may be destroyed-ahd ho'
even then in pure w~antonness, or by unnec-
essary torture, as a matter of curious sport;
but the animals now domesticated IN lhe
homes of the human race have their rlghts,
through too often they are unable to extort
them from cruel and merciless owners.
Their rights are those of proper ~sustenance'
of comfortable shelter, of non-eXcesslve
work, of physical care, of protection from
violence and abuse. They have also a rlght
to kindness and consideration from thelr
owners. who are bound morally, as well as
legally, not to maltreat, nor suffer others 10
maltreat a defenceless brute. A vicious
animal, like a vicious man, or woman, or
child. requires discipline and correction.
But this should be administered so as to
reach, if possible, the understanding. Vlo-
lent punishment on man or beast, when mis-
applied. misunderstood, or savagely inflict-
ed. produces farther rebellion and the most
extreme resistance possible. Mercy tempers
Justice in the execution of salutary punish
ment on any vicious creature, superior, or
inferior, and discipline has no meaning when
administered beyond the comprehension OF
the SUI bject of punishment. There is q time
when correction Of a fault is in season., and
the lesson of obedience, or Of proper be-
havior, may be impressed even upon a brute
mind. x y =
When the Creator originally granted man
a dominion over the animal kingdom, it was
under the limitations of a Divine control to
the Lord of all, and was, like all His gifts to
man, to be enjoyed, but not abused. Man,
therefore, cannot do as he p1eases, without
respect to the admonitions of a higher pow.
or, and think to escape Judgment for his
deeds. At the Last Day, sins Of cruelty to
beast, as well as man, must be accounted
for, and the recollectons of outrageous and
wanton wickedness wrought on dumb beasts
will then appear in the vision of Judgment.
Inix this principle in the mind Of every hui
man being, especially the young that UNI
necessary, unreasonable, or revolving pain
caused insect, bird, beast or fish, is displeas-
ing to God, and is, consequently, a sin. You
can obtain what you desire of them by hui
name measures. While the rack, the thumb
screw, the wheel have been eXecrated in
modern times for their Internal uses on man
i'm the dark ages, there are yet many tor
lures left and employed upon the brute crea-
49, Hu,o cxrr,I 1nc1N ats11 aHtr %l,n rrynorsnI
steed, the enorm Gus burden strains to ut
most tension the muscles of the horse and
OK, till. at last, the very eye of the over
wrought brute is blinded from over exer-
ton. The sharp bit laeerates the tongue of
the blooded horse. "The tender mercies of
thoughtlessness of the ignorant is equally
severe. y y X
The horse, the cow, the dog, the cat, the
bird canltpt thank you audibly always; they
can at best make slight demonstrations of
gratitude, but they are fully aware of every
act of kindness and goodness you do them.
Your horse will learn to know and love
your step in the Stable, or your guiding
hand upon the road. Your dog watches
your face narrowly, and notes every pleas
ant expression, and draws himself yet clos
or to his beloved master. The cat knows
the hand that feeds her, and greets as pleas
antly as is possible the welcome presence of
her kind friends. The bird sings sweeter
for the one who kindly tends. and even
needs the strange voice that speaks to it
kindly i'm tones of blandness. All these in
ferior organizations are yet so finely strung,