Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1883 — Mr. Beecher on the Horse. [ARTICLE]

Mr. Beecher on the Horse.

From address before American Veterinary College. Mr. Beecher said he had not dared to trust himself to the delivery of an extern poraneous address, and he hoped the audience would bear with him while he read from manuscript, “In ‘ fact, you’ve got to,” he said. “Human life may be of more importance than the life of an animal,” he continued, “and yet the veterinary surgeon may rank as high as he who administers to humanity. A man need not necessarily be an ass because he cares for horses. If ever there was a faithful animal it was the horse. In the opalescent vision of St John in the Apocalypse the horse was deemed worthy of ein g associated with the gods. Loving liberty, how readily he submits to bond age. He is ten times stronger than man and yet how submissive to man’s will! If a horse but knew his rights and his power, no man could abuse or maltreat him. His self-abnegation deserves 8 better fate. ‘He is the servant of all and the «lave of all and abused of ah.’ He begins life with one year as a colt, and when at last he has ceased to be useful to the peddler be has the only privilege of his life —the privilege of dying.’ In war the horse is ‘as sensitive to danger as the most nervous of men. When the trum« pet calls he swallows his fear and offers his life as readily as a brave and patient man. Yet for him there is no reward, no gUttering medal, no honorable mention in the gazette and no pension.” The draft horse is more to be admired than the racer. He was the family friend. What a debt was due him that was never repaid. “The physician uses him from door to door, ana collects his inevitable and inexortable fee, but the horse gets nothing but the privilege of going again, and often without, even an ‘oat-stiver.’ It ought to give a man pleasure to be called to minister to the sufferings of this most human and most abused of all animals." Then there was the cow, “not the pne that postures at the pump, nor the distillery cow that the devil fosters, but the cow that lies under the shadowy trees in summer and looks as sleepy as the August .clergyman.” She was the best physician for children. “This is an age of humanity,” he said, in conclusion. “Men are sensitive to suffering as they never were before. Cruel laws are passing awny, and even cruelty in slaughteringjanimals is discountenanced. Do not let any man look down on you because he ministers to mankind while you minister to suffering brutes. Let your names be remembered for your fidelity, your humanity and your science-”