New-York tribune., 1904-09-22
WHAT IS VIRTUE?

The topic offered for discussion is enc that needs
Illuminating. Many ttrlid woman regulates her
conduct by what people will say"
Your correspondents. so far all imply selr-sac-
rihce in the care OF aged mother. and bring tha
question upon the obligation OF a daughter TO this
sacrifice. Several maintain that ses-sacrifce is a
virtue and therefore its own reward
What is virtue? In these days morality Is no
longer matter OF dictation. scarceis even OF ira
dition II is matter OF enlightened personal feel
ing Virtue is Intelligent altruism. That course OF
conduct which has for its object the broadest
deepest highest good is the virtuous course. Does
such sacrifice is involved in tho eases OF "A
Daughter and the mother with the Ungratefl1l
child bring any good OF any kind to any one?
Craving cruel blind selashness seems TO have been
the result the recipient IN each case Can it be
virtue in daughter mother to foster this quality
in another? Is not the love which prompts them
love that needs TO take counsel?
The daughter who so renounces her right 10 live
q whole life harms her mother. her lover and her
self-three injured to crafty the desires OF one.
II alters the situation all recall the pains
the cares the self-deniaI Of the elder woman FOR
her chd's sake She brought the child into being
for her pleasure: she bestowed upon ner the
limitations Of her nature combined with the
largely unknown and possibly hindering qualities
OF another she set the tiny feet upon the path OF
Ife'S difficult and endless Journey. Is there any
pain. any care, any self-forgelfulness the parent
does not owe the child-provided. always the child
be benefited thereby
While the bond between parent and child should
be profound mutual love. parenthood IN itself does
not constitute claim. but debt Accordingly. as
we have paid that debt. not by self-abasement
but by helping the young develop themselves along
their best lines and by showing them in ourselves
the model Of all honorable things may expect
patriarchaI age s long, long past. The child OF
to-day asks. and justly asks What manner of
man is this my father, that should love and obey
humiliation SO frequently cited as a reason
only she deserves, for she mas done her child
a inesttmable wrong. That she moved by
punishments are really only consequences. A
more far-reaching love may intervene TO save the
mother who has made OF herself not ladder but
But supposing that a mother has deserved the
limit of loving kindness from her daughter. as
many mothers do, why must the OF her old
ing motherhood herself? VIII she not minister
with infinitely more understanding and tender
ness2 Unquestionably. The suitor who is worthy
ebonid neglect her mother II he eannnt @ tsne ne
her TO his own house he viii go to hers II is
always possible 10 make the right adjustment for
other II the old mother is insistent in her selfish
claim to the whole soul and body Of her daughter
her age or illness should be held as the cause of
her arrangement. and she should be treated as a
Internationally. but therapeutically.
children were growing. that one daughter in every
FAMILY should remain unmarried to care for the
Wished her joy. but said sadly: Il Thought you
we're the one who would stay with me-" The liv-
ing children all married now her husband Is
dead and she is a great sufferer physically The
logic of your correspondents would leave her alone
and miserable. the vlcum OF tngratttude; instead
Of which there are three homes where she is well
come to children who serve her, not savishly nor
regretfuy, but with love enriched by their own
flIness OF experience, and where grandchildren
Keep her "a could tell ~ e OF iS lLg i1 .
leSf ,ifterlv beTeft whose heart cry must Too
late alas too at9 I4 Sns sho9d not tak too
Richmond ELL. Long Island.