Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-11-04
FROM THE ALBANY CRISIS.
NERO. GALBA s. NYMPHIDIUs.

NERO, GALBA s. NYMPHiDius.
A parallel from history.
6 Psucis Judicium aut reipublics amor,
multi, eccu!sa she, preut quis amscus.vel Gil
ems 6unc vel liam ambitiosis runiofibus destl-
nabant."
NERO was lifted into power oy artlhce;
yet Nero was proclaimed emperor amidst
the acclamations of the whole Roman peo-
pie. The blind multitude, infatuated by
5. their love of novelty, hocked to the temples
with thanksgivings, and cried long live
the new emperor" before they knew whe-
ther he was likely to be blessing or curse
to his country. Nero was not without tss-
Tents but his, were talents Of that anoma-
lous cast which lift their posssssor Just a.
bove contempt without procuring HIM res
pect, and while they qualify him for mis-
chief unfit him to be useful; talents that
sometimes provoke disgust, and sometimes
Devastation. With more sagacity than ljudg--
ment, and more cunning than wisdom, he
knew how to gain popularity, but not how
TO OBSERVER It.
Hs saw the enthusiasm that was kindled
in his favor, and the first acts of has adml-
nistratIon were calculated to fan It INTO a
phrenzy. Demagogues always commence
hypocrites. Nero began his reign with an
os.entation Of regard to the memory OF
his predecsssor--evcss z0ent to lbs f2nib--arad
in funeral Grafton pronounced by himself,
proposed to enrol him among the Gods (1)
that very predecessor says the historian,
whom he had before reviicd in the basest
Kramer, and whose measures he afterwards
trampled supder foot.l2) His inaugural
speech, was masterpiece of political cum
Ming. It met the wishes and received the
applause Of all parties, for IN that, ne de-
clared, that having been uncoucerned IN the
civil connections, he kllezu ct no distinction
6stsoeea the peaple, and came to the throne
with a single eve to the welfare CT his. conn-
try.(s) Although he was sensible that ese
aid not merit had been regarded in prefer
ing him to Britannicus, yet the senate might
be ASSURED that he had chosen or his n.odei
the erect Ausustus, who had left the COM
monwealth sin the full tide OF successful
experiment" (4))--the senate decreed HIM
thanks-nay- his specific be en-.
graved on a column of sold silrer and to be
annually reheaised to the consuls.(5) But
Nero did not stop with bare Professions
The high salaries fixed BY the Papian law
were complained of; he actually reduced
: them three fourths.(6) The factious had
growied about oppressive taxes he remitt-
ed two ffShs Of all the taxes upon slaves, and
Others he entirely took oH.(7)
In short--thcre was no ahuse-no pre-
tended grievance, which he did not actually
correct CT redress. Such disinterested re-
gard and love for the people had Nero !.
they were not ungrateiui. He was hailed
Fatherof his country. The tide OF his po-
Pularity rose to the highest swell. Thanks
givings and iestivals-statues and affairs,
were dcereed BY the senate, till adulation
was exhausted in heaping honors upon his
name.(8)
But mark the sequel. 1t is the sunny day
that brings forth the adder. Patriotism IN
Nero, was an exotic that could not take root.
His prosperity wilted it, and unmasked his
character. He knew that the stupid creelu-
lily Of the people, when oncesenlisted on the
side of a favorite, sancti6es his very crimes.
And being weary of constraint, he seized
the moment, to let loose host OF foul and
frivolous passions that had lain together and
engendered in his breast, until now they
came forth monstrous brood and made
him at once odious and contemplate. His
after life was one continued scene of folly
baseness, lewdness, impiety and extrava
gance.
Notwithstanding he was married to ar
amiable and virtuous lady of the highes
rank, his vulgar lust led him to an amour