Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-16
Mind Which Finds No Test in Pleas
ure Unless it Means Killing Of
Animals is Diseased.
By Tad
by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.

Down In Georgia party Of hunters
(grown mea mind you), Klifed SOC doves
in few hours. ~
Mr. W. O. Stillman. president OF the
American Humane association. wrote the
following letter to the Atlanta Constltu-
ton In regard to this matter:
II see by reports that Georgia is maxi
ing itself infamous by an alleged slaugh-
ter of 5000 harmless doves by 100 hogs
called hunters. IL really seems too bad
that so great and humane a state as
Georgia should allow practices of this
kind to so on.
There are two important facts to which
would respectfully call tho attention OF
the citizens OF Georgia. The first of these
IL that the relentless and merciless
slaughter of wild pigeons has nearly am
initiated that beautiful species OF birds
commonly called "the passenger dove"
II used to exist in enormous flocks, but
now is so nearly exterminated that in
most parts of the United States It is never
seen.
The second point 90 which l would
like to call your attention is that n NUM-
Der OF states, including. l am proud to
say, my own state of New York, have
passed laws forbldding the employment OF
pigeons as live targets for gunners.
THE opposition to this practice, which
has long existed of Strengthening vast
quantities Of pigeons in the name Of
sport In not a piece OF maudlln senti-
ment on the part OF a few scatter-brained
humanltarians. There are aspects OF Cruz
city connected with It which would cause
an Apache Indian to blush with shame.
II Is not the practice OF either Indians or
wild beasts to merely slaughter for the
fun of killing wild animals or birds. They
kin I'm order to sustain life. In the case
OF pigeon shooting, vast numbers are shot
down largely for the sake of demonstrate
ing dexterity IN shooting and also in order
to satisfy that savage instinct for killing
something which sim finds Judgment In
half-civilized members of the human
race.
Large numbers OF these birds ara
slaughtered from pure wantonness. They
are allowed 10 rot and quantities are not
used for food. The worst aspect OF the
whole thing is that a great many OF them
are wounded In field shooting and escape
to die "A lingering death or exc out a
miserable existence OF suffering for days
or weeks. / feel sure that the majority
OF the chivalrous people of Georgia will
not call this bloody pastime manly sport
IL is quite on a par with the practice OF
needless and brutal children of pulling
off the wings and legs OF flies. One is as
much a manly sport as the other
IL appeal to the humaritarians OF Geo--
git to have q law passed by your lcGislu-
ture which shall place It upon the high
standard adopted by several states OF
stopping this bloodthirsty, cruel and in
exGusable practice. which is followed at
the expense OF one OF the most harmless
and beautiful creatures which God has
created Relying on the sense OF honor
and humanity OF your splendid southern
people, / am sure that this will be done
before very long"
TO the minds that are not dwarfed aud
impoverished by wrong thoughts aio
lack of ideals, life IS abaze with wonder
full opportunities for enjoyment.
There arc innumerable avenues for peo-
pie of leisure to find zest and eXhilarntion
In while sports and healthful pleasures
which do not mean death or destruction
10 any creature.
The same force formed the sparrow
That fashioned man the hng.
The God OF the whole gave spark ot
soul
To furred and to feathered thing.
And l am my brothers keeper,
And l will fight his fight,
And speak the word for beast and birl
Tll the world shall set things r'Sa;-