It must seem strange to the birds and beasts, this sudden explosion of humanity. Could they reason, what would be their judgment of beings who find pleasure in inflicting pain and death on inoffensive creatures? In their own struggle for existence they have their tragedies, but these are based upon the necessities of nature. Man’s invasion of their haunts with snare and gun is too often wanton. As civilization progresses the hunting passion will disappear. Already we are learning to value the birds for their usefulness as destroyers of harmful insects, and coming to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the life that belongs to the little wild animals in our woods. The camera is superseding the shotgun; intelligent study and understanding are taking the place of senseless destruction. The invention of gun powder was an epoch-making event, but the world will be happier when we have outgrown its use.—Louisville Herald. * * * * * WALL STREET PICKS THE GOAT. Charles W. Morse, found guilty of misapplying the funds of the National Bank of North America and of falsifying the books of the bank, has been sentenced to serve fifteen years in the federal prison at Atlanta. As has been said, this is one way of guaranteeing bank deposits. But what about those other bankers in New York who have been guilty of precisely the same kind of offenses for which Morse is to be punished? Why is it that the other high financiers whose criminal banking methods were largely responsible for the recent panic that left a trail of ruin throughout the country are permitted to go unpunished? Is it because the big Wall Street interests wanted to make Morse the goat, just as they have made a special crusade against Heinze? Can it be that criminal bankers are not to be punished unless they have the ill luck to be particularly offensive to the New York banking and stock gambling trust?—Buffalo (N. Y.) Republic. ONWARD! By Park Benjamin. Press on! there’s no such word as fail; Press nobly on! the goal is near— Ascend the mountain! breast the gale! Look upward, onward—never fear! Why shouldst thou faint? Heaven rules above. Though storm and vapor intervene The sun shines on, whose name is love, Serenely o’er life’s shadowed scene. Press on! If Fortune plays thee false Today, tomorrow she’ll be true; Whom now she sinks she now exalts, Taking old gifts and granting new. The wisdom of the present hour Makes up for follies past and gone; To weakness strength succeeds, and power From frailty springs—press on! press on! —The Carpenter. A PIPE DREAM. The Atlanta Georgian in its Tuesday edition contains an editorial headed “A Misleading Epigram,” anent Tom Watson’s splendid speech to the Farmers’ Union convention in New Orleans.