The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-08-10
DUTY TO ANIMALS
Movement Seen as Awakening Of
World Conscience.
Society, In seli-Protestlon, Has Como
to Realize That II Must Sup
press crueltles.

"For centuries the world progressed
slowly toward more civilized condl-f
lions, but consideration for the suffer
Ing OF animals received scant atten-
tom said Or. w. o. Stillman, presl-
dent Of the American Humane assocla-
ton, in recent summing up of the
mission of humane societies, according
TO the New York Times
Man had not fully developed in a
moral way or recognized and relieved
the sufferlngs OF brutes or prevented
the lnnictlon Of the most dlabolical
cruelties. Way back In the days Of
ancient Babylon, some 1000 years be-
fore Christ, there were laws passed
to protect animals, but this was done
only from the standpoint Of safety and
protection for the owner.
zone hundred years ago, In 1922,
the first law for the protection OF AMI
mails from cruelty, for their own sake
was passed by the British parliament
Since then the movement has spread
throughout the world. The conscience
of mankind has become thoroughly
aroused. 1t is plainly seen to be. n
duty Of man TO prevent unnecessary
suffering. This is a big task. The
world now recognizes its duty In this
respect. Civilized society, In every
country, has placed statutes on its law
books prohibiting the cruel treatment
Of subhuman creatures.
: "The object Of all this has not been
wholly unselish or atrulstIc. 1t was
felt that the persons who practice
cruelty would not be good fathers,
husbands or citizens. Cruelty acts re-
flexly on character 1t not only rem
ders man callous in his finer faculties,
hut also corrodes and brutallzes him.
Society, in self-protectlon. has felt
that It must suppress cruelties TO man
or beast. The conviction has been
reached that the development Of moral
character is the highest duty Of man."
II Is only within recent years that
the churches have recognized the i'm
portance OF this work, Doctor Stillman
said They are gradually adopting the
belief that the movement in favor of
humanity Is one which vitality affects
social service.
"The churches are generally finding
broader path to pursue" he de-
clared. ~ believe that this is n most
wise course on the part of all religious
denominations and that they will be Of
the most use TO the world by broaden
Ing their work and making it intensely
practical. AS president of the Ameri-
can Humane association and also Of
the International Association of So
cieties for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals. ] beg TO assure all that
the cooperation of the churches is sin
eerely appreciated and welcomed 1t
is earnestly hoped that every church
will make "a part of its social service
work an effort to promote the move
ment In behalf Ofibetter protection for
children and ANIMALS.
Looking toward this end humane
education is being introduced into the
schools Of the United States. Already
20 states have passed humane educa-
ton laws. When all states have such
laws and humane education is uni
formly taught in public and private
schools, when teachers Institutes and
training schools for teachers have in
structed their members so that better
school service in THIS respect will be
rendered and the character of the
child will he altered so as to respond
TO the higher conceptions of public
duty there will be a wonderful i'm
provement in all social conditions and
In international relations. Perhaps this
will Introduce the reign of peace on
earth and good will towaydsman and
beast"