Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-09-08
PAPER TIGERS

"Guns frur.pefs, Aundsr5us,es, drums aud Thunder.
The Chinese have very expressive way o describing
mighty bluserer They call him paper tiger" Moth
ing could be more significant. Every neghborhood has
its paper tiger its hero at the hour individual wh" is
constantly describing the ests he hos performed or that
he ouid performed had he been IN such snd such
situation. One Of the most celebrated poets OF our Ian
Ruage has said
the loud laugh bersys the vacant mind"
We may carry the idea lit:e further. and take as a
general rule not OF course without exception. that an IN
divdusl who constantly talking OF his own proves.
whether physical mental who IL pcpenay Boosting OF
his courage who is a constant excitement about
trivial matters, not only empty headed, but shallow
minded in eminent deRiee. We have our mlno's eve
athe moment pretender Of this class lie
No. in the most emphatic sense nuisance. So fond is he
ose; so Inflated Is he to his Importance so posi-
tive in the expression Of his opinions that Is really
uncomfortable to minge IN his society.
One must either agree with his views. however alb
surd, or quarrel with HIM. He is constantly detailing
occurrences in which, as he alleges, he figured ms
hero, and according which, he exhibited only won
derul magnanmy, great aciyiiybu, remarkable pusi-
lstic skill. OF course, those who know him, know the
naaions TO be entire fiction and however painful may
be 10 listen TO such boasing they prefer To telling
the individual that lac is aisitcr, On other
OCCASION he describes what he would have done had he
been particular situations. He, OF course, such
nnticipsiory exploits, mpkes himself out most as
tonishng parsonage, truly devoid OF any such thing
as fear, capable Of knocking down three four men
in succession, and endowed with much strength
OF our modern giants. But Tiger" does not
stop here. lie is in a perpetual buster. lie magnifes
the trivial things OF consequence:
and annoys his friends little, by his mOonshlne,
momentary Acknowledgement in which they cannot
participate. aud which, indeed REGARD weakness
Fortunately however the subject OF cur pora paitc
larry harmless 10 these who know him. They regaid
him vain and self impoant-whe his stories full Of
such wonderful exploits are merely esteemed as SO much
wind.
Blu, there "paper tigers" in almost every dep
OF life. big Thunder" the counterfeit Indian CHI el. who
recently arrested in New York charged with murder
may be adveried to in point. While h)urshi &c
AT the head OF his colleagues aud the hundreds OF misgu
ded tenanuy, he made a most formidable display. lie
armed the teeth, delivered pompoUs har-
angues and threatened terrible things the way OF
devastation and death, should any attempts be made
10 resist him. The Sheriff and or OF
nerve undertook the awful responsibility, neveItheess-
big Thunder was caught, Gagged and the OF
{ ew days, he was as mild sucking dove.
We have some paper tigers" among the members Of
Congress IL will not be difficult for readers single
out member who who has made himself notorious Tor
sound and Jury, notwithstanding. who occasionally
makes most terrible predictions iheatens TO the
Union 10 declare and many other eats but whI &c
soaring fights excite attention whatever comparative
speaking The truth Is, the member s2outs for Bunkum
for hs constituents al home, and with little hope OF produc
ing effect upon the lew Congressional hearers who may
the time be around him.
In general terms iigcr may be described that
class of persons who characterised
substance, who boast OF many Nri1es and sAihmenls
possessew-whO attach far importance hemse
than their neigh5or are willing 10 give them credit fo
who themselves Others n and there
fore frequently cay and do very ridiculous things Modes
~ is almost une-TIng OF II you find
with the proportions OF Hercu.es, cxu.tng boasjng
threarenine-our word for it, however huge form,
spirit that OF craven II again, mod ind vidua
who Is constantly abiding hs ieals past his
exploits projected for the luture-make great allow
for his preences and professions, they will
all Likelihood, prove sadly exaggerated. The folly OF this
boasuul spirit great indeed It's serve vel
enough for the creduous, and with strangers;
continues from day day. the strain, and
confined pretty much the story his pcpenses
boast and play the braggart become known, and
when he thinks that he i astonishing his auditors they
IN most cases impatient AT has incon and either plying
contemning him. Far better, nober, far wiser, is
the polcy-to less and do Deeds, not words
should be the great characteristics OF men!
IIaadelpiI Saturday Courr