The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-03
RESPECT FOR TIE WEAK.

RESPECT FOR THE WEAK.
There is scarcely any other outward sign
by which the inward heart OF the true gentle
man may be SO we'll and truly known as his
demeanor toward those who are below his
grade in mind, acquisitions, accomplish
ments, wealth, power or social rank. The
man who is coarse, rough and inconsiderate
to servants, laborers, dependents, poor rela-
tives, unlucky neighbors, tender youth.
decrepit age, or imbeclity, however caused,
lacks refinement, courtesy and sense OF
Justice. To respect the rights and spare the
feelings Of those WHO are strong enough in
mind, character, wealth and position to pro-
tect themselves and to command respect, is
Is often due to fear and interest as to polite
ness or principle. To be agreeable, consid-
crate, kind and Just to those Of equal rank,
position and advantages, is often the dictate
of mere policy. But for men to be good,
generous, respectful and just toward infe-
riors. where no thrift may follow fawning, "
is an evidence of inbcrn excellence of charac-
ter and true chivalry. The man Of true lordli-
ness, who invariably respects his interiors, who
deals kindly with those who need Kindness
justly with those who cannot enforce justice,
literally with those who cannot be liberal IN
return, who is thoughtful of their wants, lenl-
ent to their failings and regardful OF their
interests, is in all situations the true gentle
man, and exercises pacific, encouraging and
improving influence upon the poor and lowly
by whom he is surrounded It seems decreed
that there should bs small as well as great,
and powerful as we'll as weak, but the flower
and glory Of worthy greatness is respect for
the weak, the poor and The ignorant.
1. is equally the test and sign of ethical
morality, of good conscience and of pious
disposition, to have regard for moral weak
ness as we'll as for that Of body or OF mind. The
really good and worthy man will not offend
the fallen or revi him for his vices, or give
him needless pain in any way. He who is
truly stalwalt, healthy and vigorous in his
moral frame, feeling power to con rol his own
vicious propensities, and to walk the rough
paths of rectitude unchecked by obstacles,
unswerved by temptation, and unawed
by fear, can afford to lend his strong hand to
the morally weak, inconstant and timid, and
to have compassion on their infirmities. Such
men there always are, and they may bs known
by the tender regard they NANTES. for their
moral interiors. They shun oficious inter-
meddling on one hand, and avoid cold neglect
on the other.
The spirit of this true chivalry and true
morality, the spirit of respect for the feelings
and rights of the weak, ought to be carried
into the principles and rules of just govern
ment. Such as cannot protect themselves
should be under the special guardianship Of
those who WELD the power Of the Law and
balance the scales of justice. Servants should
be protected against the abuses of bad mas
tiers children should be shielded from the
tyranny of oppressive parents pupils should
have their rights guarded against mean and
violent pedagogues; women should find in the
strong arm of the law q sure defense against
the persecution OF bad men; the law should
protect the poor who toll against the greed
of employers, the poor who borrow ag Ainst the
rapacity of the rich who lend, the poor who
buy against the dishonesty Of those who sell;
the law should shelter the virtue Of the
ignorant against the cunning acts and wicked
devices of the depraved; those who put the
law into form and action should watch over
the rights of the lower orders with perpetual
vigilance.
Constitutions made by men who are moral
and chivalric in the sense and to the extent
n above delineated, should, above all things
else, protect minorities against majorities
the weak in section or numbers ag ainst the
powerful. People who are truly free should
know certainly and at all times feel that, as
individuals, each has rights which laws can
not take away or impair, which he has never
given up to his government, which are
beyond the scope Of legal Limitation, and in
the exercise OF which he has an absolute
right to be let alone. Citizens OF
any section Of State should have
reserved rights which no majority,
however numerous. in the government of the
State, can take away without committing a
crime against human rights. In Ike m amer
the citizens of any State in Republic of
States ought to feel at all times that they
hold in reserve oil the rights and powers
which they have not expressly parted with for
the common good. aud that SO far as the full
and free exercise Of such reserved riguts is
concerned, they are not in the least subject to
the interfere nee, hiIirancs or control Of any
majority of States or preponderince OF votes.
1t is the law of highest chivary and morality
applied to government that rulers shall not
Cypress; that the strong shall respect the
weak. and that majosities stall not tyraanizs
over minorties This is truly the golden
rule Of all representative government.
1t is to be hoped that the citizens of Louisi-
ana will apDrecate the hiCh commitment