The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-04-26

perhaps. on the very ia! lhat mas WIZ
messed the deep damnation of their
taking off, have slaughtered thou
sands of the enemies of man.
With such hcllisll spirit OF hate
and murder, have no sympathy.
81 would INST enter on my list of friends,
Though gracud with polished manners and
fine sense,
The man That neediessly sets foot upon a
worm.'
Yes, '.let us have peace" bat one
that takes an intelligent view Of the
whole circle OF mans friends, and in-
cludes every one of them within it.
sportsman, spare that bird,
Harm not single feather;
IN youth us songs heard,
And now wen dwell together"
Let the people of Kansas show to
the world that they fully appreciate
the great and important function that
the feathered tribes perform in the
economy of nature. 1t is an impor-
lant fact that there is no destructive
or devastating principle in life that is
not hedged about by some compensat-
ing law or principle, that when left
free to operate, renders the former
principle harmless, and restores the
proper equilibrium in the forces OF
nature. favorable 10 the existence OF
man. And it is often man himself, III
his ignorant folly, that interteres with
this great, eternal law of divine and
benefcent compensation.
Nature never produced mouse
withouta eat to watch it, and keep ii
within safe limits. And she never
created the vast and inmumerable
tribes of insects, with their infinite
capacity for increase and destruction,
without at the same time filling the
earth with the feathered tribes, that
with swift, untiring wing and insatia-
bic appetites, are ever busy, Kidding
field and garden Of these terrible foes
of man, and keeping up that heathful
order among the great forces of nature
most conducive to his happiness be-
low.
Many years ago the people of Mas
sachusetts became alarmed at the
rapid Increase o! insects and the con-
sequent decrease in quantity and quail
| ity of the crops. 1t was esiim ated
that the annual loss to the State alone
was a million of dollars. Looking
around for the cause, they found it in
the thousands OF sportsmen that swarm
in all populous communication the
hirsute monkey that converts his
"countenance divine into an orna-
mental frame for inserting the picture
of a choice Havana, all the way down
to the wealthy aristocrat who has
made his pile by ''devouring widows
houses" and melting down into gold
The lands and homes of the poor dur
ing the week, and expects to roll into
heaven in a coach and six" by Chant
ing 7e DeamS and hosannas: and play
ing mumbo gumbo, generally, on Sun
day. These had destroyed the birds,
aud driven them away to more hospit-
able regions, and hence the alarming
increase among the insects and de-
crease among the crops. The result
was that the Legislature of the State
took up the subject and passed the
most stringent protection laws.
In the early history of the settlement
of Salt Lake valley, the Saints were
threatened with the entire destruction
of their crops by the grasshopper. II
grievous famine was expected. Ali
on Sudden, vast iocks of the white
sea gull descended from some un-
known source in the mountains, and
in short time had destroyed the dire
ful pests. 1t was regarded by the SUI
perstitious as a signal interposition OF
Divine power. Aud in one sense it
was. II was bpthibS, hONt'Oi: ph.
the natural operation of the eternal
law of compensation, of demand and
supply T; and if the people of Kansas
are true to themselves, and will fur
nish the needful conditions for the
working of this great benefcent law,
they will not only greatly curtail the
ravages OF the locust, but will rid
themselves of thousands of other in
sect enemies that prey upon the labor
of the farmer and the prosperity of
the community.
To achieve this object, let all birds
that are already here be fully pro-
tected by a vigorous enforcement of
existing laws, so that they shall neither
be killed nor drirea aWay. Birds soon
learn where they are not wanted, ami
act accordingly. If worried much by
the discharge of firearms, and the
murder of their little mates, they soon
take their departure for more con-
genial chimes. And if existing laws
are not a sufficient protection, let us
pass others, aud enforce them, too.
Let everybody set out hedge, fruit and
shade trees in abundance, both Oh &C
count of their intrinsic value and be-
cause they furnish shelter and homes
for the glorious little birds, and rem
der the country inv iting and hospita-
BILE to them. Let the children be
taught not only to respect their rights
but to cherish them, both for the joy
their presence inspires and for their
vast usefulness 10 man.
The grasshopper is one of the rude
forces Of nature that has been evolved
in region of country where the hand
of nature nor the hand of man has as
yet planted trees to supply homes for
the-birds, which are their natural and
deadly foes. Let the people of Kan
sas and the whole West, by wise leg
islation aud wise management of this |
whole question, supply the proper
conditions for the influx of the fcath-
cred tribes among us. Let them also
begin war of determination on the |
heppers already here, SO that few or
none shall escape 10 return north and |
breed up for coming seasons, and be-
fore long we shall be able 10 solve this
question to the satisfaction of all in |