The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-02
A FlNNY TRIBE PROTECTOR.
Is Fishing an EIevating Pastime for Chris.
tInns?

tnns?
To THE EDIToR-Sir: The writer fully
appreciates the amount of contemptuous
ridicule the position taken on this subject
in the matter which follows will call down
upon her head, yet with none the less
conviction and courage to assert it do 1
answer the question above.
1t cannot be classed as very refining
and Christianizing recreation to sit lazily
on sandy beach or float on the
bosom of a charming lake for the
express purpose of throwing a line
TAT the end of which is a well cOntrived in
strument OF tortured into the water and
waiting with an eXpectant Joy for some
beautiful shiny specKled native of the
sparkling stream to be decoyed into taking
the wicked barbed weapon into his live
and sensitive mouth, thus aiiOrding the
supposed superior being at the other end
OF the line the exhilaratng pleasure of
wrenching the poor writhing things acer-
ated jaw with hasty jerk and landing it
quivering and helpless In the boat. 1t is
surprising thing to me, indeed, that
such pastimes are INDUCED in
by those who were they accused OF
cruelty in any form to any living thing
would Indignantly resent the implication.
is il ignorance or is it thoughtlessness?
In a recent address by ex-senator L. w.
Palmer, the worlds fair president, before
a large mass meeting in the interest OF
humane work, in chasing the causes OF
cruelty, he attributed a large percentage
10 thoughtlessness, and concluded that
but very small percentage was of a
vicious and Intentionally cruel nature.
Let us hope he is right Yet In view of
this thoughtlessness, what is TO be done 10
make people think?
The leaders and pioneers in this most
needed and ennObling work, tell us TO
flood the country with humane literature
that such people must learn in secret, and
not be approached aud demonstrated with
personally. The argument being that
vain people would much rather acquire
knowledge on this subject without any
one knowing OF it than be Inundated by
personal censure or even advice and
counsel OF the most courteous and sincere
type AS an illustration of how this prac-
tlce has grown among some people, | will
here give facts within my own observa-
ton.
In one of the centers OF population of
nv own state a clergyman in charge of
one OF the oldest parishes was so fond OF
the piscatorial art that lie spent weeks
during the summer season fishing at n
lake few hours from his parish. return
ing 10 administer the means OF grace on
the Lords day to such OF his congregation
rs could resist the temptation OF when
business ceased Saturday night re-
pairing TO the aforesaid lake
for their one day OF this delight
iul sport OF numbering the inny tribe,
the reverend gentleman and his fishing
flock vieing which should succeed in vank-
ing the greater number lin given time
from the natures home God had provided
them with. IL was by them. and is by
many others, acknowledged that the only
reason for catching them is for the plea
sure of it, often as we all know throwing
the poor things back into the water half
dead. If this picture is overdrawn / shall
be glad to be set right by anyone who may
chance to readit. EVELYN Mccormick.
Lafayette, Feb. 20.