Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-04-27
HUMANE WEEK.
BY Charles Scanlon.

Years ago as a boy | read a book
called BLACK Beauty" the influence
Of which has been marked upon nv
life. 1t was the story of a horse, and
into il were woven stories and Incl
dents of thoughtless and needless cruel.
ty to animals, especially horses. When
reading it and since have been con-
scious that as boy on the farm I
could and should have been more
thoughtful and kind to animals.
wrote the President of the United
States that April 23d to Both had been
set apart as BE Kind to Animals
Week" and that Sunday, April Both,
was designated as a day on which
ministers of all churches were asked
to preach sermons upon this subject
or at least refer to il, and received
from him the following letter:
The White House,
Washington,
March 20, 1922.
My dear Mr.. Scanlon:
am very glad 10 signify, in con-
formlty with your request, nv approy-
al OF the purpose which has led to the
designation Of a particular day for OBJ
servance as Humane Sunday. The
work OF the various societies which
have sought to promote the most hu-
name ideas has, without a doubt, been
OF real value to the community, and
whatever encourages its extension and
promotion is certain likewise TO be OF
real service.
Very sincerely,
WARREN G. HARDING.
Rev. Chas. Scanlon,
General Secretary,
The Board of Temperance,
Pittsburgh, Pa
An animal can suffer like human
being, and because man has been piven
dominion over other creatures he has
no more right to abuse his authority
or TAKE advantage of his ability than
strong person has right to be cruel
to weaker one.
Inc habit of many boys to stone
birds and bird nests, to lash with the
whip any animal he chances to pass in
the road, to neglect to feed and water
animals at proper times, to blanket
horses which are left out in the cold.
TO rein their heads UP in a tiresome
way when driving, to strike or kick
animals to see them Jump or hear them
cry with pain, to throw hot water on
dogs or cats about the house, to fright
en- or terrorize animals for mere sport
to Kill for the fun of killing, and
hundred other things is all cruel and
sinful and reacts harmfully on the char
acter of the person who does it.
Generally boys on the farm love and
care for horses and dogs and other
animals, but sometimes through care
lessness, thoughtlessness and habit
they do that which they would not
do If they considered the pain it costs.
There is merciful way Of killing
animals for food or their use, and
many States have laws to punish peo
pie for needless cruelty. The Cover
nors Of many States issue proclama.
tons calling upon the people to be
just and merciful to the lower animals.
and when we think how much we owe
to them and how much we are de.
pendent upon them for food and ser.
vice it becomes manifest, even from the
most selfish point Of view, that kind
ness and mercy is profitable even in
a material sense.
lf anything here said will cause bows
and girls as we'll as older people 10
be more thoughtful and kind Tor that
part OF creation which cannot speak for
itself, then shall feel that I have
partly atoned for any thoughtless
cruelty may have inflicted upon any
creature.