Year: 1875

CARD FROM THE FRIEND OF THE LOWER AM


MALs-D1MoRTAL PIGEONS


To EDITOR HERALD


ask your indulgence while give utterance to few
reflections which an article headed Captain Bogardus"
and appearing in the HERALD of yesterday gives rise to-
/ would premise by saying that have no desire to in
fringe by implication the legitimate rights OF the
press, but at the same time do not hesitate TO ayow
myself OF that numerous and constantly augment
ing class OF citizens who think that the press in return
for the liberty which accorded it, has certain obga
tions to fulfil toward society," OF which duties it
holds to be is that Of creating and sustaining intel
lectua tasteful and moral tone of public thought and
action How far the article in question tends to such
result is of the purposes of this note to inquire.


first glance at the magnitude OF the type employed
in announcing the Of the person in whose honor
you devote column and a quarter of your valuable
space would suggest that it is a citizen who had per-
formed great and mertorous service TO the State
or had benefited mankind by his conspicuous and long
sustained philanthropy. nearer investigation, how
ever Of the envous compliment humbes the rising ad
miration Of the reader when he learns that all the
costly space and type used in challenging public ad
raton Of whose chief attribute is that he is
able to needlessly mutilate and destroy greater num-
Der Of innocent, unorending feathered creatures
than his fellow slaughterers And If this degrading
excellence not sufficient the public further
invited TO admire the pile Of hftypound Bank OF Eng
land notes which the Captain exhibited" as evidences,
not only Of his superior skill and prowess over
all his competitors, but substantial proofs
Of the contempt which he entertains for
the laws of the United States and Great
Britain against gambling and betting. In order that
no incident Of the glorious achievement, which the
article ably euogzes may be lost upon the public,
and thereby possibly limit their wonder and emula-
ton gittering description of the champion badge pre-
sented to this heroic victor is added constituting him
the champion pigeon 81 aughterer Of the world


l luStriOuB
Captain speak for himself 'My experiences he says
'whle in England were of the peasantest kind. IL Is
true had many overtures made to to lose certain
matches miss certain birds, but considering that
the champion Of America, and American citi
zel my honor at stake, | gave the makers OF
such propositions TO understand that was the wrong
man, and that my intention In coming to England was
Notwithstanding the pile Of nifty pound Bank Of
England notes. TO carry of the victory for the honor Of
the stars and Stripes"


This will remind the reader Of another military gem
teman, the renowned Colonel Mulberry Sellers, who
''went in for the old flag and an appropriation"


Finally, as If 70 remove any unworthy doubts which
might arise in the public mind as 10 the purity OF his in
tentons he fearessy and dehantly challenges all ENG
land and elsewhere" to murder pigeons with him in
despite OF law and humanity for the honorable stake OF


Now | appeal to you the editor OF widely circu-
lang paper whose province it is to mould and fashion
public sentiment in the interests OF law and CIVILIZATION
whether you are not making grave error In thus glor
flying for his audaciOus violation Of the laws Of
God and many II will not satisfy just intelligent and
compassionate public 10 respond to this respectful note
with the stale epthes often applied TO the humane efforts
of the society representa- nor yet to attempt TO lower
the legitimate and legal pastme of the merciul and
honorable spOrtsmcn down TO the mercenary cruel
and criminal savsgery OF the outlaws who thus shater
and kill an innocent and immortal work of the Deity,
already prisoner in their power with the sole object
OF filling their pockets with bank notes winning
valuable testimonial in gold or silver say 'sole pur-
pose for venture 10 assert that, II these be with
drawn from the contest the unmanly ''sport," Ia
termed, falls into disfayor from that hour


Your article which suggested these comments con-
cludes by announcing benefit 10 be given to this
offender against law and humanity GIlmore's Gar
den earnestly hope that that charming abode OF the
muses. Will not be prosttuted to any such unbecoming
purpose. Your obedient servant


HENRY BERGH, President


NEW YORK. August 26, 1879