288 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



utility has formed the dark side of the human race 

 during all ages. To use a thing, without regard to 

 the proper use the moral law intended, is subvert- 

 ing its purpose and degrading the omniscient power 

 and goodness of the Creator. Eight, wrongly in- 

 terpreted as to what might appear to be useful, has 

 been the palliating excuse for the most abominable 

 cruelties and wrongs ever practiced by man. Good 

 people who conscientiously differ from others were 

 once regarded as heretics, and injurious to the high- 

 est welfare of the country ; and, under the idea of 

 utility, were put to death by the thousands. 



Not many centuries ago slaves were bought for 

 the purpose of experimenting on by vivisection, and 

 as it was supposed to be for the utility of science, 

 the right to do so was granted. Now since slaves 

 are not in the market, poor, helpless, innocent ani- 

 mals are made the prey for the supposed utility of 

 scientific investigation with all the recurrent horrors 

 of the dark ages. 



Man has no more moral right to the one than to 

 the other, as both are a usurpation of a power of 

 the strong over the weak, for selfish and wicked 

 purposes. 



H. S. Salt, in Animals' Rights, makes this bold 



