Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-08
CRUELTY w.. BUaANIrY.

CRU zLTY vs.. BUaANIEY.
No city 10 tgis broad Uoion contains
population more -Sfhsue, benevolent and
philsnthropic than that of Memphis. Every
appeal 10 the tender sensibiliiies Of Ire
human heart finds a cordial, substantial
sympathy. This response is not the morbid
sentimentsiity Of fanaticism. 1t enanaies
from practical men ard women, who in their
noble efforts to rlske the world purer aud
better seek TO ameliorate the condition Of
suffering beings, whether it be found in
the hunger and nakedaess OF individuals or
the quIvering flesh Of dumb brules. Il is
not, therefore, surprising that The people Of
Memphis should feel deep concern 10 the
war that has been inaugursted against
Turner II. Lane, inspector of the Society for
Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals. When
the persons were arrested for the
crime Of preceding the religion of
Jzsus, they found champion in Patrick
Henry, whose eloquent oulburs. caused the
Judge 10 quail upon the bench and with
chatteTing teeth to order the discharge of
the prisoners. l. there no Patrick Henry in
Memphis TO champion the cause of Turner
H. Lane, who is charged with the heinous
crime-the disbolIaGl Of tryiBs 10 protect
from cruelty the poor dumb brutes willing
to spzrd their lives in dragging heavy bur
dens, and the only recompsnse they ask is to
be spared from torture? Inspector Lane has
i1terfered with no drayman whose animal
C. T.. 4.
ia harness which the greedy bUzzlrds impa-
tiently claim as their lean inherit.
age, and which, if human beings,
would b. in the hospital or Ian
gushing on a sick bed at hams Hi.
humanity may be shocked at the sight Of
skin and bones staggering under heavy
load, but he makes no arrests unless the
animals suffering and need protection.
Every humane draJman loves his horse or
bis mule and cares for him with great ten.
derness. 1t is only the brutal owners or
drivers that Inspector Lane interferes with,
and he cannot understand how humane
draymen can join this org snz alton unless
they wish to establish the precedent that, If
Iiu..l dr4yrrsu secs prop, he e.-9. - 49,
ure shock the sensibiiiiies of the humane in
our streets every day by Supplying the lash
TO the back OF a poor animal whose raw
Aes h is quivering with new tortures. H.
spector Lans is engaged in a noble work,
and The people Of Memphis intend to stand
by him. He is engaged in thankless task.
There is lao honor or emolumsnt in the offics
ha hntda Pint hia nnhIa hanrl and
are enlisted for the poor dumb brutes that
cannot protect themselves, and he deserves
more credit than the military hero,
who, in his ambition, mocks the groans
OF the dying and wades through blood and
tears to reach flames proud temple. The
APPEAL bids Turoer II. Lane God-speed in
his labor Of love. He is engaged in broad
enipg that large current of humanity which
is the electric principle that moves men To
tue best impulses Of the human heart. AS
steam is generated by warmth aud fluid,
kindness, benevolence and humanity, and ell
the amiable outward signs of inward good
ness are evolved from sympathy for Just
such missions Ss nerves the arm and giyes
courage 10 the brave and noble Lane. He
pauses in the busy whirl of life and pleads
not for self, not for those who have the in
telligencs to rid Ghs msslves of tortures but
for the defenseless dumb. Such hum auiIy de-
sends TO earth like silver stream through
the m;sts of May morning, which draws
whatever sun.rsys there may be lurking be-
hind the clouds. A man who will know
ingy maIireat an animal, either in
working it or slaughtering it for
market, is deserving of severe pun
ishmeut. The press and the pulpit should
never weary in making plea Tor humanity
in the treatment Of dumb brutes. A plea
for humanity is constant plea for religion,
aud because this is the field Of human re-
sponsibility in which we are constantly fall
ing, and Christianity thereby damaged. A
no huma nity in his heart, treats dumb ami
male like devil, his religion is nothing but
sounding trAss and tiukliDg cymbsl.'
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 10
Animals is not tainted by the reproach which
Is 80 often associated with benevolent enter
prises such as selfishness and seetarianism.
Il is engaged 10 a work of mercy, and the
day is not far distant when here in Mem.
phis, instead of organising a com bina.
ton 10 fight this society, every man will
r ,sent with courage any cruelty to an animal
as though it were personal wrong. the
contest between Inspector Lane and the COM
bination organized to fight him is watched
with mach anxiety, but not without emo
tons of regret and sorrow. Memphis is by no
means complimeuted in advertising to the
world that this is the first and only city in
the United States which proposes to inter-
fere with work which now comm ands The
sympathy of even the savage who never
abuses his horse, or even his dog. We be-
lieve that the Memphis courts Of justice will
vindicate not only the law, but the onanipo-
tent truth, that the quality OF humanity
mercy-is not partial in its application, but
is alike the properly of every living creature
that can suffer and die.