The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-02-28

Tsrwsrl Step II Civillsst'sa'
Il 10 eaid to b imprudeDt to write
M mans history or bis epitsph un'
Il after his demise, and for the came
reason 1t is probably unwise to pro-
nouuoe upon the character OF any
legislative assembly until 1t shall
have adjourned. Our present legs
latuee. however hss given 10 % many
evidence Of earnest work, and the
character Of bills brought forward
manifest 20 much sound judgment.
and ev1a philosophie forecast. th:t
10 are warranted In believing that IT
vill continue faithful to the end. ana
mark . brighter epoch In tho lesis'
latiye annals Of Louisiana. Among
tho many reforms proposed. We w'sn
to call public attention. specially 70
bill now pending, In regard 70 tne
cruel treatment Of domestic animals.
This Il . subject which has hereto
fore been wholly neglected BY lesis'
lators from tho days Of Noses to the
present century. A lack OF symps'
thy for tho suffering Of our dumb
friends has pervsded every system
Of laws. and We regret to cay every
system Of religion the world has YET
known. Doth God care for oxen"
has been contemptuously asked by
savage man, who vainly imagined
that he alone vas worthy OF divine
care and the object Of divine mercy.
In mans primitive condition. when
he vss alike destitute Of weapons tor
attack or defence. and Of agricultu'
| raj Implements, or tools OF any KIND
and was dependent entirely upon the
| proceeds Of the chase for food and
! ralment, it is difficult to imagine
| how the race could have survived
without the assistance OF the dog.
when q little farther advanced. and
man entered upon q pastoral exts'
tence. he vas equally dependent up
on the bovine species and other cat
tie. The conspicuous part which the
horse has acted. both 10 war ant
peace, need only be alluded to. to b
recognized by al. The man who Il
,nsensible TO tho unselnsh affection
and self. sacrificing devotion Of thes'
good creatures, not only shows
radical moral depravity. but 10 ale
guilty Of the grossest ingratt'ude
The dog has ever been regarded .
The type Of fidelity. Darwin In hi
, Descent OF Man. mentions an 10
, stance where q iavorite dog Was out
iected to the torture OF vivtsectio
~ his master, and during tho agon
. OF the operation. affectionately licl
ed the hand that Was taking his III
. The author properly remarks. TIL
\ unless this man was void OF Col
= science, the remembrance OF th
!, scene must have ranked In bio mil
!. and embittered the remainder OF b
q life. ',.-5
"a These dumb creatures possess
!. hish sense Of duty, and strong sne
. tons, and many other traits In col
a mon With humanity. Who has q
" watched the sports and gsmbols
,. | young lambs aud puppies. rompl
y and playing IKE little ehildren7 \
m make no apology for tho length
:. these comments because we thin1
: tho duty Of tho public press go
:: rally to use Ito influence In edu
7. ting tho popular mind on this o.
lest. In order that the Law may
=. sustained and enforced By . ctr
- !. public opinion. Cruelty to du
-, ~ animals, under tho bill before
y. ~ legislature, u made . misdemes'
w punishable By . Ane not to e1c
"a $1,000, or BY imprisonment tor
~ y more than two Yeas. All that
-, IA needed 70 render the lsW eaec
III that our criminal judges she
~. poesess the spirit Of Mr.. Bergh.
NJ, charge tho grand jurtes special
=. regard to It. Have No . Bergh am
for ~'