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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1837-1901] Victorian Age » John Youngjohn

John Youngjohn

To Lovers of Beasts and Birds

A Plea from the Printer of Birds' Nests by William DayM

[1897] John Youngjohn, "A Plea from the Printer," in Birds' Nests: A Plea for Bird and Beast (Somerville, MA, 1897; Online at Animal Rights History, 2003).

To Lovers of Beasts and Birds. Greeting:

Having been very much impressed by the sermon in this little pamphlet, and extremely shocked at the revelations of cruelty to both beast and bird, of which I had never heard, I felt an irresistible desire to do something to ameliorate their condition, and especially to assist other good workers in their efforts to stop the wholesale slaughter of the beautiful birds of our land. While casting about for a method of warfare against this crying evil, I resolved to put the sermon in type and send it broadcast through the land, to enlighten thousands of people who, like myself, have never before had the subject brought to their notice. After procuring its publication in The Watchman, Boston, the leading Baptist journal of New England, and printing my first edition of pamphlets from that type, I now reset it in new type, that it may be more readable and attractive.

I have sent free several hundred copies of this pamphlet, and would gladly give thousands more, had I the means ; however, I will gladly give my time and labour in sending them, at cost of printing and postage, to all who will assist in circulating them. I have already had substantial help from good people all over the United States in circulating them in this way; but I know there must still be thousands more who would be glad to do the same, if this can be brought to their notice. Who will help to distribute them? I will send them to any part of the United States, postage paid, for 15 cts. per dozen, which is only made possible by setting the type, with my own hands, after working hours. I hope a million copies may be circulated. I believe much good will result. If any person can read this pamphlet without any feeling of compassion or sense of duty in the matter, it would seem he must have a heart of stone. If you love the birds, and wish to help save their lives, send for a dozen or more copies and circulate them. Also petition your legislature for a law that will protect the birds, if you have not one; if you have, help enforce it. Money may be sent in stamps or currency. Address JOHN YOUNGJOHN, 91 Marshall Street, Somerville, Mass.