Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-26
The Rights Of Properly and Inherit

aN(Cs
A few DAYS ago the country was shocked
20 hear that the brilliant novelist Paul
Ford. was shot down in his own house.
sitting at his own desk. by his own
brother. Malcolm Ford
The story goes that the father OF the
two Fords was rich man when he died
some years ago. leaving property estimat-
ed at two millions Of dollars. He disinher-
tied Malcolm Ford. because the latter was
devoted TO athletic sports. Of which his
father disapproved and expostulated vain
" against.
The children were all given their respec-
tive shares. except this son, Malcolm, who
received nothing.
He disputed and disagreed with his
brother after his fathers death, TO small
purpose and the disputes and disagree
uents ended IN the manner here men
TONED
The question comes up, Where did the
wrong-doing in this sad case commence?''
The majority VIII agree that the father
handed down something besides the money
which ruined his childrens' happiness, and
literally destroyed one child and made
Cain Of another as a result OF this hand
Better far there had been no money to
quarrel about
II there is one thing above another that
parents should keep in mind. II is the do
ing OF equal and exact justice 10 those
they have brought into a world Of being,
when the children had no choice as 70
their own coming. and no opportunity to
select their own parents.
Mr. Ford, ST.. may have felt that his
property was his own. 10 do with as
pleased him in its distribution. Results
20 TO prove that he had no right to so
misuse that property as TO turn one child
into the slayer OF another, because Of his
- ~NF ~
own body. His children's happiness was
evidently OF superior Importance to the
money he had accumulated to be given TO
his favorites after his own death.
II strikes me that he wronged his son
Malcolm BY using his money as well as his
animOsity 20 infiict punishment on the
son. II was ignoble to perpetuate his own
ifsIfkes in the future conduct OF his chill
dren 70 each other after his money had
left his hams forever.
I contend that he had no moral right to
sting that child as with lash by making
and perpetuating his own dislikes after
death. His son had committed no crime.
50 far as I can see. his conduct was not
sinful. unless disobedience TO his fathers
fads and whims made 1t so.
understand. perhaps. quite as well as
anybody else that the Bible stresses the
duty OF obedience to parents with unmis-
taxable emphasis. and likely the boy was
a stubborn one from the start. but the
Bible also says. Provoke not your chill
dren TO wrath" etc
Two wrongs never made a right. The
father was wrong. and the son was wrong.
but death should have ended the strife
between father and son.
II Is miserable spite which Is showed
over beyond the grave TO engender hate.
That boy had no opportunity TO choose
hts own parents He came into this life
he forced into and ~ his
father had not made an unfair distribu-
ton Of his property. perhaps, the boy
would soon have repented Of his disobedi-
ence and turned in self-reproach TO do
credit to his fathers memory.
But that cruel viii Infatuated this child.
VINO was thus Inundated before the world
as well as in the presence OF his own fam
fly BY his fathers bitter feelings toward
him in the hour OF death.
The elder Ford made poor use OF his
wealth when he signed his name to the
disinheriting viii that branded. so far as
he could do so. the child he had forced
upon an unfriendly world.
The law makes a good will and a just
one Every child inherits equally. because
the law contends that every child is equal
IN mind. matter and estate when II is born
Of the same parents. and is made to enter
life under similar conditions.
have known people who wreaked spite
on their children by distinctions in wills.
never knew II TO work out happily. Soon
er or later the friction viii make itself
felt. and then the hate is perpetuated to
other generations, with no remedy for the
wrong.
such wills engender wounds that are
never entirely healed.
King David had a disobedient son. Abb
solem The son conspired against his
Kingdom and endangered his fathers life.
Yet David cried out: "Oh. Absolem. my
son. would TO God had died for theer'
Parental love must have within itself
the same element Of justice that glorifes
divine love. Unless It can be just II is
unworthy OF the name