The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-14
Mass Meeting Mt the Richmond Thea
ire Under the Auspices of the So
ciefy for the Prevention Of
Cruelty TO Animals Large
Attendance Of Ladies' ana
Gentlemen.
SPIRITED SPEECHES
From Rev. DIR. Armstrong. Right Rev
Bishop kcane, Mayor Darlington,
Hon. A. VI. Kelley, and Colonel
Evans-An Anccdotc OF Gen.
Robert T.. Lee.

| ~ lOI tnt 1ItNtUllOn oI NIuCllN 10 All
mails. After awhile the main body OF the
Theatre was well filed with an audience
composed Of the best people OF both sexes
in the city. Up in the first gallery all the
front seats were filled. and as far as num-
bers and responsibility was concerned the
meeting was a complete success.
DR.. Armstrong, the president OF the So
ciety, was on hand early, and every prepa-
ration for faithfully carrying out the pro-
gramme Of the evening was carefully made.
A stand was placed in the centre OF the
stage. and near this stood a table, covered
with blue cloth with white embroidered
border. and on this rested pitcher Of Wa
ter and goblet. I'm circles in the rear Of
the table chairs had been arranged for the
accommodation of those who were TO be in-
vlted to take seats upon the stage. Among
those occupying these seats were Right
Rev. Bishop j. j. Keanc, Rev. Dr. J. G..
Armstrong, Rev. DR.. VI. d. IIoge. Mayor
W. c. CarringtOn, Hon. \. NJ. Kelley,
Colonel Thomas j. Evans, Or. W. W.
Parker, and McSSrs. George Watt, II. Thco.
Ellyson secretary, L. Courtney jenkins,
and others.
The meeting was called to order by Rev.
DR.. j. G.. Armstrong, who announced that
Right Rev. Bishop keane would open il
with PRAYER. Advancing TO the centre Of
the stage the Bishop delivered a feeling
and appropriate appeal TO the Throne OF
Grace.
DIR. ARNSTRONG'S OPENING.
DR.. Armstrong then spoke to the meet
ing. He expressed the qualification OF the
SOcIety at the presence OF so many good
people, and especially the ladies. Wherever
f l.a 1.I al
WAYS ready TO respond. He looked upon
their presence as a good omen. He be-
levcd there had been a pressing necessity
for the organization OF the Society.
Al the first meeting there was but one
voice. All said there ought 10 be a society
for the prevention OF cruelty 10 animals,
and all said that there was great deal OF
cruelty TO animals i'm various ways. \
committee was appointed 70 draft con-
stitution and bylaws for the Society, which
were adopted i'm two weeks after the first
meeting Nothing great could be accom-
pliShcd until the recognition by the state
authorities. In the regulations for the
government OF the Society il had been de-
termined to put the annual dues rs low n
Dos,ible, and 81 had been the sum set
upon. ANY one paying this was entitled
10 membership. lie thought that one great
GOOD 10 he accomplished was the lifting up
TO a higher degree the moral sense OF the
people. What was specially needed was
this that owners and drivers OF animals
should know that the most etectual way OF
managing animals was not by thc unmercl-
full use Of the whip, but by kindness.
All animals had in them disposition Ia
respond Sweetly TO the touch OF kindness.
Even the mule, who would be friendly with
YOU for fifteen years i'm order to get Kick
, at YOU. would, he believed, re,Told tC
GOOD treatment. Upon these principles
the Society might do much good, Even
the moral influence Of this meeting was
doing good. Drivers knew that the eYe'
: OF the community were upon them, and this
/ would restrain them i'm the unmerciful usC
OF the whip. He hoped full list OF mem
bership would be the result OF the meeting
LETTER FROM MR.. BEBGH.
Dir. Armstrong expressed regret tha
Mr.. Bcrgh, who had been invited, could
not be present, and read the following let
Ter from him:
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PRE- !
vENTI0N OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS,
, HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AVENUE,
/ CORNER TwENTY-SECOND STREET,
NEW YORK, March II, 1888.
: ". ". Parker, M d., Chairman. DC:
e Dear Sir,-YouTs Of the 9Th instant, in
viting me to he present i'm Richmond OF
the 18th and take part in the proceeding
, at the Theatre, is at hand.
= regret exceedingly my inability to at
: tend on that occasion, rs my presence l
constantly required at these headquarter
2 to attend TO the daly-increaSing buSincs
{ al. to f,.b \ bg
voted nv life, and which, am pleased L
y learn, YOU and your associates are about t
t epter upon. 1t is a mission which com
2 mends itself to all right-thinkng peopl
d having the moral wcll-being and education
r OF the rising generation at heart. 1t is
1 work which, when inteIligently under
n stood and practically inaugurated, create
4 an influence which grows stronger by agita
l tion. bringing il more forcbly 10 the mind
g Of tho.e who heretofore have ignored tn
e RIGHTS but cannot dispense with the exist
: ence of that race OF beings which are s.
G material and necessary TO the happiness o
mankind. Mercy and humanity are funda
: mental principles OF good government, 4
: cruelty is desp0tism and anarchy, whic
o latter is exempliiied 10y the condition o
0 Spainand other European countries wher
! bull-fghting and other kindred bruta
sports are INDUCED in.
d congratulate the good people.of old VII
t einia at their having in the capital city
h the State an organization for the enforce
ment OF the humane statutes. The sue
cess of YOUR merciful undertaking Is as
sured without my humble presence, a
n though nothing would give me create
# Measure than TO be among you on th
: auspicious occasion, and speak FEY
Y words i'm behalf Of those speechless being
which cannot speak for themselves.
Il Very respectfully.
4 HENRY BERGH, President.
n DIR. Armstrong extended bis most col
: dial thanks 10 Mr.. Powell, the owner
: the Theatre. for the free Use OF the builC
ing. He then introduced his Honor,
o MAYOR W. C.. CARRNGTON,
' who came forward and said thar he kne'
!, that there was great cruelty to animals |
y the city. When, however, the ladies can
y forward and took cpgnizance OF anythin
:, that was wrong and needed correction
- there could be no doubt OF success. Ii
" said the Society had higher duty to pc
form than merely preventing blows upo
the brute creation. a man, II he was a
lowed the free and unrestrained indn
: gence OF his temper upon an animal. woul
i be very apt to go home and beat his viii
y This was the great good that the Sociei
: would accomplish. lie pledged his effort
- officially and otherwise, to the success
the Society.
# BISHOP KEANE's REMARKS.
1t The Bishop said, when asked to con
and say a word in behalf OF his good br
ther. the brute, he thought chow could
te refuse The prevention Of cruelty to al
% mails did not come within the scope OF /
ne daily work. 1T was his duty to teach ge
| Al. IL fl L. 4.