Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-05-30

Tyranny of the Weak Over TIT
Strong.
Few things show the mora
advancement of people more plainl!
than the degree to which the tyranny o
the strong over the weak is frowned upon
There were ancient and barbarous times
In viii h this sentiment had never beer
awakened. Might alone was supposed
to make right, the strong oppressed The
weak as matter of course and the veal
never thought of anything but
submitting. Gradually, however, better
views prevailed, and now the best people
in civilized lands scorn to employ theil
strength to tyrannize over their weaker
neighbors. The public conscience il
becoming more and more aroused to the
injustice of this and while there are yet
many steps to take, the general tendency
is in the right direction. There is,
however, frequently another tyranny
more insidious. aud perhaps hardly less
selfish. but which excites far less
comment, i e., the tyranny of the weak
over the strong. 1t might be supposed
that where power of any kind was united
with generosity it would excite
affectionate gratitude, and a desire to
make whatever return was posi-
BILE, and in an honor
able mind this is always the result.
But, unfortunately, there are others of a
different mold, who, instead of being thus
softened and inspired to do their best, be.
come more and more exacting and de-
handing. and at the same time more de-
pendent, We sometimes see this in the
case of suffering and sickness. The
strong and healthy husband or wife, par
ent or child, sister or friend, feeling acute
sympathy with the invalid, deems no sac
rifce too great to make for his or her
comfort or relief. All pleasure and recre-
alton is given up, sleep is curtailed, every
energy is taxed to the utuost, and some
times health breakes down the strain;
while the patient, instead of being gentle
and grateful, and anxious to make as lit
tie trouble as possible, is fretful and peev-
ish, complaining and thankless, accept
ing every sacrifice as right and continu-
ally making fresh demands. Many a
generous and valuable life has ben ruined
and its health and happiness destroyed
by this tyranny of selfish weakness over
unselGsh strength. Sometimes it is the
aged and lnfirm who are thus tyrannical.
The young should be taught. far more ef-
feiently than they are now, to reverence
the old; yet it is, after all, only character,
not years, that can command the rever-
ence of the heart. He who uses his age
as an excuse to cover idleness, petulance
and unreasonable demands, who is willing
to sap the strength. waste the energies
and spoil the enjoyment of those who
minister to his needs, is fit example of
the tyranny of weakness. Then there is
the occasional tyranny Of the poor and
unfortunate over the generous and mag
unanimous. While many receive aid as
grateful but temporary help to better
condition, and profit by it to renewed
self effort, there are some whom it seems
to paralyze. They sink into state of
dependence, accepting all and craving
more, and draining the purses of the lib
eral to support their worthless lives. Not
only poverty but affection of every kind
may be tyranDical. Sympathy is sweet, |
and should be freely given, but when it is
demanded it loses all its value. The un-
happy have no right to thrust their mise
~ upon others, to embitter their cup with
The drops of grief which fall to their own
share. That suffering alone is hallowed
which is borne with fortitude, and not al
Owed to intrude itself upon any one or to
poison any JOY. There is, too, the tyran-
ny Of moral weakness over moral strength.
A single ill-humored person may spoil
he peace and harmony of an entire
or the pleasure and COM
ort of whole social circle. An envious
ealous or suspicious lover or friend is
Always tyrant. His friend is always in
constant fear of exciting these evil pas
lions, and must finally sacrifice his friend
hip or his freedom. So the youth who
werves from integrity, who is too weak
o resist temptation, inflicts untold suffer
ng cd his honest parents, and, perchance,
m many others. The wrong-doer of
very kind is constantly tyIanniling over
he good man, interfering with his peace,
his liberty, curtailing his en-
oyment. There are few greater tyrants
han what are commonly called poiled
spoiled children. The parents, however
superior they may be iu many respects,
ire their very slaves. They have sacrific-
ID everything for them, and required to
acrifice at their hands in return. Thus