Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-12-27
Washinatun STANDARD
POETIC JUSTICE.

POETIC JUSTICE.
4 JcrS lyman who went out for a
pleasure-drive with his sweetheart not
long ago received a needed though
rather severe lesson on the necessity
of being humane to animals in this
day and generation. 1t was a very
hot day, and when the drive was about
half over, the horse became balky.
The driver thereupon lost his temper
and gave the animal an unmerclful
beating. Then the trouble began. A
constable saw him and promptly ar
rested him for cruelty to animals.
He was unable to pay the money, and
his companion settled the business for
him. Then she went home, and wrote
him a note, and this was what it said ::
"When a man will so brutality beat
horse and so easily lose his temper,
a woman marrying him would take
the chance OF the same treatment"
And the remainder OF the note re-
leased him from the engagement.
Most people will be Of the opinion
that the young lady in question did
exactly what was right, and that she
was fortunate in discovering the dispo-
sition OF her fiance before, instead of
after marriage. Insensibility to the
pain of another is not trait which is
particularly desirable in either hus-
band or q wife. While, OF course, it is
not to be inferred that every man who
will beat his horse will also beat his
wife, cruelty to animals so vitiates the
moral nature that those perceptions
upon which a sense of justice depends
are blunted. The intimacy of marri-
age is so close that happiness can only
exist where there is mutual forbear.
ance together with q certain sensitive
ness to the feelings of others. The
man who does not possess this sensi-
tiveness may not be actually cruel to
either wife or children, 80 far a. physi.
cal maltreatment is concerned, but he
will say and do things which are quite
as brutal as blow with . whip would
be. There are dozen considerations
which are likely to restrain him from
wife.beating opinion Of his
neighbors, custom, fear that his wife
may invoke the law, fear of retaliation
by her relatives, or merely the fact
that it is not usual for American hus-
hands to express their sentiments in
that way. But if his nature ie essen
TALLY cruel, he will find ways TO tor
ture those dependent upon him which
are worse than any physical pain.
Tho true test of . mans character is
not t0 be found in his actions when he
is restrained by public sentiment or
fear of consequences. He 10 his real
self when he free to act, 70 indulge
meanness, or passion, or cruelty, To-
ward some creature which cannot re-
taliate and has no means of defense.
The Jerseyman who is the unenviable
hero Of the incident above recorded
was subjected to this test, and appar-
emily he failed. He may have had an
idea that by his lack Of consideration
for his horse he was showing manly
and stern strength Of character which
would impress the girl in the seat be-
side him. Some men have an idea
that women rather admire those who
are capable Of cruelty. These men are
trying to fit sixteenth century ideas
into twentieth century civilization. II
cannot be done. It il true that wo-
men admire brave man. and often
the man in question is . soldier or a
hunter, but there 10 . very fine dis
tinction between the brave man and
the man who il ever ready to ihiiict
pain. What the modern girl sees to
admire in the soldier 10 not his will
ingusss TO shoot other mon, but his
readiness to be shot himself; not hia
murderous impulses, but his sacrifice
Of personal safety. The kind Of NO
man who would like . man better
after seeing him act cruelty toward I
helpless animal, ID mot lit for = civilized
country.