The Washington herald., 1907-12-08
4 souare neaI for the Rahhit.

This newspaper believes In and insists
on absolutely fair play for everybody,
regardless OF rank or station. We believe
that even the most hardened malefactor,
the most despicable undesirable citizen.
is entitled to his day in court. We have
from time TO time said our say concern
ing that dangerous. treacherous. and
bloodthirsty quadruped. the rabbit. and
the records OF the Loeb League will bear
witness that we have no love for the
sanguinary beast But. nevertheless, we
believe that II is entitled to what we are
told is referred TO in circles conversant
with certain game Of cards as square
deal Fierce as il is. false as il has ever
proved Itself to be. we think the belliger-
ent animal should. in simple justice. be
accorded what Is known among other
sporting classes as n run for its money
The voracious varmint should be extermi-
mated. OF course-exeept, possibly. in GER
tain wild countries Ike Texas-bUt undue
cruelty should not mark the methods Of
it's taking of
We are moved to these reflections by
some tales OF the hunt in the wilds Of
the New York Times. Elnboldened by
the hardships OF early but rigorous win
ter, gaunt wolfish rabbit entered the
town OF Montclair. seeking that which II
might devour. We pass over the recital
Of It's thievish exploits prior 10 the Oc-
currence which we particularly have In
mind. Suffice it TO say that because Of
hunger. or for some other reason, it
failed TO manifest the pugnacious traits
so characteristic OF its tribe, and was
soon in full fight before a crowd Of
armed and determined citizens. As il
dashed down Greenwood avenue 70 the
Lackawanna station a train was just
pulling out, and onto the platform OF
the last car the harried r,arauder leaped
Then came the happening which should
never have happened. AS the train dis
appeared around a bend the posse OF
home-defending citizens stopped but a
yellow dog continued the pursuit. racing
down the track and barking furiously
Thereupon John Edwards, baggageman.
left the end Of the train in which his
business lay and went back to investigate
the noise. Seeing the rabbit clinging 10
the platform. his natural repugnance TO
the beast asserted itself. and he forced
the unweicome intruder 10 leap from the
flying car
We submit that John should not have
done this. although we appreciate the
feeling which actuated him-the innate
desire OF the human animal to rid the
earth OF all such ferocious man-kiIlers
as rabbits But it was cruel and un-
sportsmanlike, and, from one standpoint.
availed nothing, since. eventually. the
brute would have been compelled 70 dis
embark at some other station in New
Jersey. which in itself would have been
punishment enough.
And was the rabbit killed by the fall?
II was not The chase continued, but
now Fate Joined in il and. as is often
the case, did aot side with that party 10
the transaction who may be said to have
represented the right-L e. the yellow
dog. The Times thus describes the
denouement:
That was al Pine street. The dog chased the
rabbit slong Pine street into Bloomfield avenue.
Bunny ran along BY the side Of an east-bound New
ARK and Caldwell trolley car until the dog was
nearly upon him. Then he ran around IN front o.
the car He got around the end safely but the dog
was thrown twenty feet-dcadr'
This was hard on the yellow deg. not
to say unjust; for. after all, it was John
Edwards who was at fault and on whom
Nemesis should have landed. However,
the incident plainly proves the point we
! have made-that while war 70 the death
should be waged on the rabbit. the beast
should always have its fighting chance.
Had John Edwards been a member of the
| Loeb League he would have acted diff
ferently, and a rabbit to whose natural
ferOcity is now added vindictiveness and
desire for vengeance would not to-day
be roaming the Jersey Businesses. We
hope the obvious lesson viii be well
| learned by other nonleaguers.