Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-28
dEhPMiN APPEAL
SUNDAY, JANUARY IS, 1888
THE AGE OF HUMANITY.

pulse been given 10 those measures OF phil
antrophy, beneVolence and humanity organ
ized for the amelioration of every living
thing endowed with the power of voluntary
motion and liable 10 pain and suffering. 1t
ie sad commentary on the history Of the
world, that as nations become great, wealthy
and prosperous, they become licentious, and
in the Whirl of luxurious pleasures have not
tims 10 give thought 10 the sufferings Of
mankind or the poor brutes that contribute
to their comfort and Subsistence. But it
seems in America humanity follows pros.
perity just as naturally as civilization fol-
lows the railroad locomotive into the
wilderness Of savsges. We may talk
about the degeneracy Of The times, but civili-
cation was never so universal as now. The
spirit Of inquiry is abroad. Church edi6ces
are on the increase, and the growing spirit
of religious liberation and investigation is
an encouraging sign. Light and knowledge
Is difused throughout the world in the same
proportion that wealth, capital. and prop
erty accumulate and the arts and sciences
advance. The editor, as he reads his hun
dred exchanges during the week, sees much
to deplore-much calculated to create the
belief that the world is going TO the bow
vows. But after reading the sermons on
charity and humanity, the lectures, edi.ori-
ais, public meetings held on the same sub
ject, the amount Of money raised to relieve
the suffering of the world, he is at
the close Of the week forced TO express
the opinion that there is more good than
evil. While other cities are boating
OF their charitable societies and deeds OF
benevolence, Memphis can show a record
g. which will compare favorably with the
spuritanical cities of even fanatical New En-
gland. The hearts OF our people are touched
by the cry OF distress, and they never fail to
respond. During the past week our foreign
population raised large Gums of money for
the shipwrecked sufferers. Two weeks ago
the First Presbyterian church was consumed
by FIRE. All denominations, classes and ma
tionalities have We'd with each other
in sympathizing and aiding the work
of rebuilding. There il no city in
abs broad Union where charity and
bsuevolence is 90 universal as in
Memphis. Notwithstanding high taxes and
the misfortunes incurred by epidemics, our
people never fail to respond to all calls upon
their benevolence. There is charitable
society in Memphis for almost every con-
ceivable purpose, and the suferings they al
levi4te 10 high tribute 10 the humanity OF
our people. Two of these institutions have
always attracted our profoundest sympathy.
One Of them is Mrs. ]. c. Johnson's Chris
tian Association, in which is furnished a
refuge for fallen women. This class of I'M
.foEtunats humanity in other days were ia.
booed by charitable societies. They were
placed under embargo by the whole world,
forced TO live in sorroWful isolation-cut
of like an ocean islet from the
great continent OF humanity, scarcely
permitted to hang upon the skirts
of civilization. homeless wanderer
in every community, resident in none,
neglected and spurned by all, even the scoun-
drel, the author Of their shame and sorrows.
The portals of society, the avenues of SYM
patty and affection were closed to them, and
they were cast out upon the great sea of life
to drift like worthless weeds wherever the
changeful winds and waves might bear them.
Thds repudiated and despised, no wonder the
bitter corrosion Of despair and misanthropy
gathered over their hearts. No wonder
the fountain of their affections con.
tinned to be diverted into unlawful
chaunels, that forgetful of their pride they
- L.. Al. - thAs,
aud sought in sinful pleasures that which
society had denied them. They were hurled
TO the gutter and then reproached for their
fall. The foot was placed upon the neck and
they were required TO reform while being
ground in the dust. But Mrs. johnson has
OF Christian kindness, and the with
cred affections of the erriDg have been
revived like the bruised flower beneath
the gentle Installations of heaven. Mrs.
johnson has beat down the walls which
have been thrown up by the intolerance of
other ages between fallen women and hu-
mainly, and even they have been re-
claimed and made happy. The meeting
and the report of the board of man.
ayers and members of the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals and Chill
dTen, on Tuesday night last furnished an
other tribute TO the humanity of the people
OF Memphis. This secretly has done good
work during the past year. That Christian
Philsnthropist and humanitarian, Rev. DR..
George White, whose kind and tender heart
would not permit him to hurt Uncle Toby's
fly, Addressed the society, and elequently
pleaded for the amelioration of the condition
of the dumb brutes. Minter Parker and
Turner b. Lane were still continued in their
mission OF mercy. Unfesliug men, who're
hearts never felt humane throb, and who
would enjoy the torture of a dog
writing under the pain inflicted by
the application of turpentine, or like
Caliguls, who was so fond of inhicting pain
that when he could not torture a human VIC
tim he amused himself by sticking pins in
hies, look with contempt upon the senti-
mentality which seeks 10 mitigate the suf-
terings OF even the brute creation. These
monsters never read, and OF course do not
know that Queen Victoria is at the head of
the English society for the protection of
animals, and the Princess OF Wales, during
the last few months, distributed prizes for
the best essays on this subject. 10 Bavaria,
King Louis is president OF one OF thee soci-
ties for the protection of animals In many
Roman Catholic dioceses the children are
required, before making their fret COM
munion, 10 promise not TO be cruel to
animals. In Europe these societies are
encouraged and presided over by the elite
of society. One German society numbers
twenty-thrse generals and a large number of
officers. We had rather be the lowest cur
protected by these societies than the mon
sters who have no sympathy for the animals
upon which they feed. the unofending dog
they kick, and the noble horse they ride like
beggars 10 the devil. The creatures who
delight in the pain and torture OF dumb
brutes are not entitled TO the Immortality Of
the animals they despise. faithful drsy
horse il more suited for heaven than the
driver who beats him over the head while
with chaffed and bleeding shoulders he is
trying TO drag his heavy burden. Ia
fact it is problem which has arrested
the attention OF the profoundest think
ers of all ages, whether there is a future
state for animals. Many believe that other |
stages Of existence await the animal king |
dom. s Not to speak of other great minds, |
Wesley, Coleridge, Bishop Butler, Lamar
tine, and the profound Agsssiz have argued |
In favor of a future state for animals. |
Agassiz mentions lS5 authors who have IA
vored the theory. The Mobammedsns and |
the Oriental nations in general believe in the
doctrine, as also the Indian tribes. Ii the
monster who fortunes the brute prides him
self on his Immortality, it seems there ought
10 be some reward to the poor victim which
has spent life in making others happy.
The fools who laugh at the society here in
Memphis regard it as sporadic growth,
unusual, and so soon as the nov
.lty passes away it will flicker out. But the
Irutb r. these socIeties are on the increase