The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-01
LITTLE TYRANTs.

The 'Nultus lnstantis tyranni," the face
Of the bullying tyrant, is a sort OF night
mare, and 1t is counted high manhood to
be Indifferent TO il. The Old mans adj
vice 10 his son was: Don't be afraid Of
the frowns Of the great. but be afraid Of
the tears of the poor. The noble nature
will be ready to face the plain devil, but
melt at the dew on the eyelids OF the suf-
fering helpless. 1t can stand the storm,
but not the gentle. pitiful wall. the glance
OF the eye of the downcast Tyranny and
how to bear H.. and how 10 get rid o. II,
so as TO assert. vindicate, and establish
the freedom. native and inalienable. OF
the human family, IS a large part OF the
lesson Of history, and Of the business OF
individual life.
The hrstborn Of our race tyrannizod
over his devout and righteous brother
and killed him, and the later born have
been following his direfu example. in
one form or another. ever since. To abuse
superiority Is the weakness of the strong
and the folly OF The wise. To resist OPP
preston and assert right is the honor and
responsibility of man.
Plainly our race has made great prog
ress. The germ Of self-respect that gives
dignity TO the individual. the spark o.
deity that gives life 10 the soul. has
greatness. Certainly all over the Eng
lish-speaking world
Even the peasant boasts his rights 10
scan,
And learns TO venerate himself as man.
And so tyranny has given way to republi-
canism and selfishness to the general
good. Ia government We count APP
proaches 10 tyranny as Indications OF bar
Darism and general depravity. Tyranny
has seen its day in public matters, and
Is almost thing Of the past.
And yet tyranny. as a common weak
ness. remains. Men are tyrannizcd over
by their own wretched appetites and pas
sions and ugly habits. and they tyranniZe
over one another whenever they get a
chance.
The exigences OF military and naval
service and their necessary discipline. Gull
tivate tyranny unrepublcan. unchris-
ton. and despicable Official duty in pub
lie and private Offices necessitate obedi-
ence 10 orders. and submission TO au-
thOrlty easily degenerates into tyranny
The dogs obeyed in Office, and the official
Is willing 10 be a cur and exact homage
and enjoy his place. Pure cussedness. in
tense selhshness and utter meanness
feed on the privileges of position, and the
humiliation OF all below. The martinez
OF the countng-roOm and public ofnce Is
the little tyrant that enjoys his greatness
and is abhorred. But his same beast
carries his tyranny with him TO his own
gloom. horrible shade about him. His
wife fears him and his children hate him
These little tyrants, however, are pass
ing away with the shades of ignorance
and barbarity. Characters. dogmatic, au-
tOcratic. self-ndulgent, severe, and exact
ing, are recognized as out OF date-as be-
longing 10 Mediaevalism and saNagery
The ideal OF manhood, gentle. liberal, con-
siderate. thoughtful, alive 10 the rights
and feelings or others, the msgnanimity
that hates tyranny. that desplses time
serving. that regards the lowliest as a
brother. is acquiring more and more pow
er and influence. The world Is learning
to despise the tyrant. big or small, pub
lie or private; and magnanimity is the
popular Idea. And an offence against
either right or feeling By the upper
against the lower Is resented and pun
ished by public opinion and at the same
time the revolutions OF chance and for
tune commonly wheel the tyrant into the
dust and make his victim his master. SO
time brings its revenges and makes odds
oven. The grace Of rule is royal honor.
above the crown and sceptre. The meek
ness OF Duncan in his great ONCE Is hon.
ored the world over Rule. authority. and
power must exist In all the affairs OF
men, but the spirit Of the divine man
touches, civtlizes. and, enRobles them. II