The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-11-22
Abusing Our Friend the Horse.


when this office is not in receipt of letters
frcIn correspondents, making inquiries for
cures for troubles in our domestic animals,
troubles that are the result of unnecessary
cruelty, or abuse, in Over-driving, over
work. or oytr-feeding. The bulk of the in
qEiries relate to strains, injuries and
break-downs in horses and mules that are
comparatively young.
Some years ago Il great-hearted man,
who was ahead of his time in a humani-
tartan point of view, conceived the idea of
putting an end to all cruelty to domestic
animals by legislative measures. People in
many classes of society called him both
crank and q fool. But the noble man gave
his life and fortune to the cause of dumb
brutes | regard Henry Bergh as man
of higher type of humanity and philan-
thropy than others classed as 'philanthro-
pists," who Lave made themselves fools
over what they called human liberty"
Human liberty is a precious thing and
there are various ways of obtaining, adj
justing and enjoying it to the fullest in a
rightful manner, without oppressive legis-
latiye enactments. But what can we do
to prevent the unjust infections upon the
helpless dumb creatures that man must de-
pend on i'll his various industries and pleas
urcs? There are only few of Tie worlds
philosophers and educators who see much
of this cruelty to our domestic animals
and these are chiefly the residents of large
cities who have time or inclination to look
into such wrongs just as Bergh did, and
there is another class, this among
editors whose business is to listen, not to
the direct cries and groans of the dumb
animals themselves but to the indirect ap
peals of the oyer-beaten, over-driven and
over-strained creatures, as these are heard
through the anxious calls of owners for
cures or remedies for the evils after it is
too late to lend helping hand or the ad
mOnitory tongue.
The editor of this paper wants to make
an appeal to all its readers in behalf of the
horse especially. The year of our new
jubilee has at last begun-dating, as it
does, from November the Sth, which day
should even be held memorable in our
histories, while we are overlooking with
love and grateful benedictions and joyous
and fraternal messages for our human
brothers in all sections of the union, let
us see that our good deeds, our good will
and wishes shall extend into the domain of
the dumb brutes of our individual posses
sion. and let us vow that henceforth we
must be kinder, more indulgent, less exac-
ting and less oppressive OF our beasts Of
burden on the plantation or on the road
with our norses especially.
| for one lave grown indignant and i'm
patient listening to the tales of injury,
injuries unjustly inflicted upon mans
noblest friend. ] want to beg my interes
ted readers everyW here-stop beating the
horses; stop over-drlving him; stop over
loading him and above all things, stop over
dosing HIM when you think he is sick.
When these things are done-When this
over taxation of the horse is remedied-
then we shall have better and stronger
and more reliable breed of the animal
Half of our horses are broken down be
fore they reach the age of seven. Half Of
the complaints that come to this office
about the ailments and troubles of the
animal, shows cruclties and oyer-burdens
imposed on the colt If our nation is to
take its place among the exalted people of
earth, it must be through righteousness,
if we believe the testimony Of the holy
truth. We can not be righteous as a peo-
ple-With right ways among our fellow
man. without being also just as merciful
TO the dumb brute that is to be the great
bearer Of our burdens on the plantation
and on the road to market The same
inspired pen that wrote that "Righteous-
ness EXalteth Nation said that Il right
eous or merciful man would properly or
rightly regard the life of his beast
1t may be argued that a man has the
lawful right 10 kill his horse That may
be so; out he has no moral right to tor
tire him for years by systematic or un-
necessary cruelty and abuse. N. Y. NJ.