The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-03
Teaching "Humnnity, in schools.


To the Editor of The Post
Houston, Texas, March 27.--DCes it not
seem strange that measure so admirable
in its nature and application and so far
reaching In its effects as that introduced
in the Texas legislature by Mr. Barrett,
providing for the teaching in the public
schools of the State of the principle Of
humane treatment of animals, should have
met such treatment on the part of some
members of the house? II surely must
have been because no valid argument could
be offered against it that the effort was
amendments and by puerile attempts at
wit
Had these gentlemen given the subject
serious thought they would probably have
acted differently. The most effective
method for the reform of any evil social,
moral or political, is through the educa-
ton of the children. The schoolboy OF to-
day is the voter and lawmaker of a few
years hence, and Just as the twig is bent
the tree inclines" was favorite and true
copybook heading of our school days The
idess and principles instilled into the mind
in childhood are much more permanent
and more liable to be manifested in action
during life than those acquired at later
period.
Cruelty is one of the most debasing vices
to which humanity is liable and also the
most far preaching in its effects upon So
ciety. 1t is also utterly without excuse,
as no benefit can possibly be derived from
its practice It's origin is found in CHAR
acteristics transmitted by our remote an
cestry who represented the lower stages
of evolution. and the very highest function
of education should be to aid the progress
of mankind to higher planes OF civiliza-
ton by the eradication of the instincts
Inherited from barbarous ancestors.
The practice of cruelty on the part OF
children generally arises from thoughtless-
ness or ignorance of the pain inflicted,
and a little kindly given instruction from
parent or teacher-a little earnest eHoil
10 cause the child to realize the extent oi
the suffering caused by bis action, VIII
usually be sufficient to overcome the par
barous tendency and replace II with ieei-
ing of thoughtfulness for all Gods crea-
lures that will bring forth results that
will be of untold benefit TO this and future
generations.
Cruelty-a lack Of compassion for erea-
tures weaker than oursplVes-is vice ina'
grows with our growth The cruel 10Y
viii hecome the cruel and selfish man, and
the nature that will wantonly infict pain
unon dumb brutes will have but niue re-
gard for the physical or mental pain
may inflict upon its fellow human beings
Fen, This cause spring most OF the blood
: shod and crimes Of violence daily recorded
! In the newspapers that brine cis-
/ grace upon our fair State and plunge 8
many families into misery and sorrow.
law thai tends TO remove the desire
1 "a ,,se the pistol-that would tend 10 caust
| the angry man to think of the snnerlns rli
| act would entail, would be OF Vastly Hle W.,
benefit in preventing crime than the IN ~
| ish one which prohibits the carrying u ''-'
weapon.
Let me illustrate by fact: Ill,
some years ago a man, whom we WI
! call X. visited a Texas town ana leai nes
i that two OF his acquaintance Mr. a. a.
Mr.. b. were looking for each othet' a. 80 -
with guns and avowing their in,sntio ~
of killing each other on sight MI, a
went ia search Of them ana iounu ~ -
living In wait for his opponent, ~
aid mt attempt to reason him out ot ~
ar~ toward Mr.. b.. nor hint thar Is
r,iebt viii him. or to refer TO the lSsa
conseouences of his act. He appealen
hin, thus. ''Mr. A., don't question ! y
what YOU have cause for your apss,, "a
40 Tor a moment doubt your eoura "
yopr desire 10 kill B. may be jnstinpu
hut suppose you do Kill nlm' nav ,,.o.,1,
thought of the agony and injury you nv W 70 =,
inlet nneu his innocent family? DO 20
think YOU could bear to accompany th o.
who who toS his body home an endure ,sa ,s an
sisht M the agony OF his Wife, the lSai
~ his children that your hand hau .s
Satberless. or that your conscience wS Sar
not forever accuse you OF depriS,n me nsr /,
Of their protector and nreaoS WIZ +
i There were results thar ~ sns hsrharou
4 ,,,,l t,is anemv inherited from pai p"i