Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-15

and so TO Rome 10 verify TO each other
the praises which they had respective
Iy layisaed on their ladies'. Lucrctia
was the wife of Col,atinus, who Lad the
pleasure to find her, whilst the wives
OF the other Romans were Involved in
The riot and dissipation OF feast, en-
pioyed In the midst OF her female sep.
wants and assisting in their labors.
Sextus was struck with the beauty and
innocence OF Lucretia, cherished his
siame, and, afterwards withdrawals.
from the camp, went TO her house
where he was kindly received. He
stole at night 60 her chamber, but the
lady refused 10 his cutrealies what Be
extortedtronhcrb by threats. She y;eM.
Ell TO her r,yishsr when he threatened
TO murder her anu 60 slay che OF her
slaves and put him in her bed, that this
apparent adultery might seenr 20 havs
met with the punishment it deserved.
Lucretia in the morning sent for her
husband and her father, revealed TO
them the indigaity she had received,
eonIured them to avenge her WRONGS,
and stabbed herselfwiti adagger. wllici,
she bad concealed under her clothes,
The body CO the virtuous Lucret;a was
exposed to the view of the Senate, and
a rebellion ensued, which was infiamed
by the harangues OF Brutus, who was
present 1T the tragical end of this no.
bic lady. Tarqufn was expelled, his
various attempts to regain the throne
were ably resisted by Lucretius, Bru-
tus. and Coilatinus iiinglyl government
was extinguisI!ed and the Republic
was founded.
Notwithstanding that the atrocious
crime OfSextus wasthe immediate cause
OF this revolution, Che trutiiis that the
public mind at Rome had been long
prepared for the event by the conduct
Oh Lis father and of some other Of the
kings. The leading Republicans only
waited for pretext TO abolish ROYALTY.
which never fails, sooner or later, to
become odious 20 q wise and spirited
people. #
Rome. as republic, endures! for tao
space OF about 500 years. The history
ofthisperiOd is exceedingly interesting,
and admits OF two distinct divisions.
namely; that of foreign affairs. and
that ofdomestic occurrences. Always
at war and always victorious, the re-
public marched from success TO success.
invading countries, destroying nations,
and subiugating people ill, in fine,
sac Became mistress of the world, when
she fell under the weight Of her own
power. and yielded herself a victim 10
the ambition OF her generals. At
home, two parties continually divided
the republic: The PGiricinns, who
wishedtOretain all the pOwerofthe state
in their own hands /; and the PJebeians,
who demanded and acquired, almost
every day, some new right. These
pledges oftheir liberty increased until
they eventually became, in tic hands of
cunning and able men, the Instrument:
OF their sepvitude. Thus Rome, By
having conquered TOO much, subIuel ,
herself; and tie Romans, by incres-
sing their liberty TO Righteousness. fell
into slavery: a striking example tllat
all excuses ought TO be avoided.
The Principa! Diyniiies of Rome under
tHC 1eCpIUtfcs
The Dictator was magistrate ST.
preme, sovereign, and absolute. 'Ehero
was 10 stated time for bis election
but he was chosen accidentally. in cri.
SEES Of great danger, and only for six
months. His first act was to nominate
Tor himself first lieutenant, under the
title OF general Of cavalry. All the
authorities ceased on his nomination.
except That Of The Tribunes. He ma
med the ordinary consuls. The dieta-
or was preceded by tweuty-four lie
Iors with the .fGSccs: Z. Latius Fla
rus was the first Dictator, in the wear
t9S before Jesus Christ. The dignity
leased under Augustus, who refused
{.
The Consuls were the two first ma
gistrates ofthc republic. They were
.leeted annually by tie people, cOnduc-
cd the armies, presided in the Senate,
md regulated the affairs ofthc PeDub-
ic; they were Ececedcd BY twelve lie
ors. 1T IS TO the geaTiy election of con
nis that mOntesquieu chiefly attributes
be glory and the triumphs OF Rome.
=. Junius Brutus and l.. Taruuioius
ILL.,