The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-03

C.. Dominica 10 Charles i. and Richard NJ.
TAYLOR 100 feet on north side Graham street.
5000.
Northside Land Company to Samuel p.
Hite, lot ID. square 20. Chestnut Hill. $500.
Same to w. p. PattersoD's administrator,
lots and 8. square 49, and lot 49, square 10,
Chestnut Hill. 5000.
Same to J. B. Patterson. lot 1, square Al,
Chestnut Hill, 200.
A. w. Patterson, special commissioner. to
s. G.. Weisiger, 80 feet on north side OF JAG
ouein street between Washington and Ran
dolph, S4@
John M. TAYLOR TO Thomas S. Wheelwright,
As feet on north side Of Winder street 1850.
Tyranny of the Weak over the Strong.
Few things show the moral advancement of
q people more plainly than the degree to
which the tyranny of the strong over the
weak is frowned upon. There were ancient
and barbarous times in which this sentiment
had never been awakened. Might alone was
supposed TO make right. the strong oppressed
the weak as a matter of course. and the weak
never thought of anything bat submitting.
Gradually, however better views prevailed.
and now the best people in civilized lands
scorn TO employ their strength to tyrannize
over their weaker neighbors The public
conscience is becoming mora and more
aroused 10 theinjustice of this, and while there
are yet many steps to take, the general ten
ever frequently another tyranny, more IN
sidious. and perhaps hardly less selfish. but
which excites far less comment, l. e., the
tyranny of the weak Ov0r the strong. il
might be supposed that where power OF any
kind was united with generosity IT would ex-
cite affectionate gratitude, and desire to
make whatever return was possible, and IN an
honorable mind this is Away the result. But,
unfortunately there are others of different
mould who, instead of being thus sOftenedand
inspired TO do their best, become more and
more exacting and demanding, and at the
same time more dependent. We sometimes
see this in the case Of sickness and suffering.
The strong and healthy husband or wife
parent or child, sister or friend, feeling acute
sympathy with the invalid, deems no sacrifice
too great TO make for his or her comfort or
relief All pleasure and recreation is given
up, sleep IS curtailed, every energy is
taxed 10 the utmost, and sometimes health
breaks down the strain; while the
patient, instead of being gentle and
grateful, and anxious to make as
little trouble as possible IS fretful and peev-
sh. complaining and thankless, accepting
every sacrifice as right. and continually
making fresh demands. Many a generous
and valuable life has been ruined and its
health and happiness destroyed by this tyran-
ny of selfish weakness over unselfsh strength.
Sometimes it is the aged and infirm who are
thus tyrannical. The young should be taught
far more efficiently than they are now, TO
reverence the old yet it is, after all. only
character not years, that can command the
reverence of the heart. He who uses his
age as an excuse 10 cover idleness. petulance.
and unreasonable demands, who IS willing TO
sap the strength waist the energies and spoil
the enjoyment of those who minister 70 his
needs, is a fit example of the tyranny Of weak
ness. Then there Is the occasional tyranny of
| the poor and unfortunate over the generous and
magnanimous. While many receive aid as "a
grateful but temporary help to a better cOndi-
| ton, and profit by it to renewed self-efort,
| there are some whom it seems 10
| paralyze. They sink into a state Of Deepen
| dence, accepting all and craving more. and
| draining the purses of the liberal to support
their worthless lives. Not only poverty, but
affection of every kind may be tyrannical
| Symp athy is sweet. and should be freely
| given. but when it is demanded il looses all
its value. The unhappy have no right TO
| thrust their misery upon others. 10 embltter
| their cup with the drops of grief which TALL
| to their own share. That suffering alone is
hallowed which. is borne with fortitude ann
| not allowed 10 intrude itself upon any one
or to poison any Joy. There is, too, the tyranny
of moral weakness over moral strength. A
| single ill-humored person may spoil the har-
| mony and peace of an entire household, or
the pleasure and comfort of q whole social
| circle An envious, jealous or suspicious
lover or friend is always tyrant. His friend
is in constant fear of exciting these evil pas
sions, and must finally sacrifice either his
friendship or bis freedom. SO the youth who
swerves from integrity. who is too weak to
resist temptation, inflicts untold suffering on
his honest parents, and. perchance, on many
others. The wrong-doer of every kind is con-
stantly tyranniZing over the good man
interfering with his peace diminishing hi
liberty, curtailing his enjoyment. There are
few greater tyfants than what are commonly
led Ill III h
ever superior they may be IN many respects.
are their very slaves. They have sacrificed
everything for them, and required no sacrifice
at their hands in return. Thus the children
expect TO receive everything and TO give moth
ing. The habit of seltishness becomes in
grained. and while they develop no power of
making others happy, they lose the power Of
enjoyment in themselves. The parents lives
and happiness, and the children's also, are
alike wrecked on the altar of foolish indul-
gence, while wisdom might have cherished
both. Mr.. Arthur Helps says truly: Weak
is q relative term Whenever two people meet
one is comparatively weak and the other
strong" 1t right that the one should i'm
part to the other, but whether it proves real
good depends largely upon the way il is
taken. II it is accepted merely as a support
for continued weakness its value will be
small indeed. The man who leans contented-
~ and perpetualy upon some one else.
whether il be for his livelihood for sympa-
thy, OF help of any kind, is not being really
aided but only still further enfeebled. He
drains another, not merely TO purpose.
but TO the injury OF both. But it. on
the other hand, he receive the help, whatever
it be, with thankful gratitude, and uses it as a
stepping stone TO better things; if he regard it
as temporary loan, which he in his turn
may repay to some one weaker than him.
self; if he be inspired by it to greater
efforts, and through it gain strength TO stand
on his own feet-then it has fulfilled its mis-
sion and is no longer q dead weight but
living force. fit is cowardly for the strong
TO oppose the weak. it is no less mean and
base for the weak 10 impose upon the good
nature and generosity OF the strong. There