Southern telegraph., 1838-10-10

ulnes you ere wen aware. Eaclion, intrigue
bribery and corruption, are spreadinq
throughout Rome. The whole moral atnes.
phere seems to be polluted; and even thai
place which ought of all others to be pure
the Senate House--is infected. Every man
ofruined fortune seems to be exerting his
whole power to bring rain upon the repuh.
lie, in hopes TO raise himself to eminence a.
mid the general destruction.
Such man, as you well know, is Lucius
Cataline-who, last night, WAS detected to
be at the head ola conspiracy more daring
and horrid than any recorded on the pare 81
history. 1t was no less than to raise a rem
eral instruction, to fire the city, to put al
ofnoble blood to death, to overthrow the Elii
fabric Of our republic, and to establish ty.
ranny upon its ruins. OF this, Cicero, ever
on the alert, obtained immediate intelligence.
and early this morning summoned the Sen
ate TO the temple Of JupilerSfator which. as
you know, is done only in times ofpublic a
larm. And would you believe that Catalina
himselfhad the eAfontery TO meet with them?
Yes, he on account of whose daring viIlainy
the Senate had now assembled, came and
took his usual seat. At the sight of this.
Cicero, who sat in the Consu's chair, was
contounded, and for time seemed at loss
for what to do. And no wonder, Attcus,
when you reflect upon the times and upon the
body of men in the midst of which he was.
How could he feel confident that the Senate
would support him? How did he know but
that half of them were leagued with the in
famous Catalina? How could ho think that
this parricde would dare to sci his.foot with
in the temple, unless he felt sure of the Sen
ate's protection? He could not look around
upon this body, without seeing those of the
most questionable character He could see
on one side a Gethegus, to whomthe faction
of Marius had looked up as its chief support; ;
on another, Lentulus, who, by his prodi-
gality, had become the leader of tie mob !,
and before him, Cesar, gifted, ambitious, as
pirng to supreme command. No wonder,
then, that at first the resolution of Cicero
seemed to fail. But, at length, quoting ey-
cry rising fear, summoning up all his cour-
age, and his every moral power-and feel
ing that his country, his idol, called upon
him in this trying hour, in the midst Of such
an assembly, the orator arose and addressed
Catalina himself Never before did hear
such tones from the lips of Cicero. ! had
heard him, when he impaired to the dullesl
law question the most intense interest. !
had heard him when by his persuasive elo-
quence, he seemed to bend even Justice her
SELF had heard him, when in pleading
the cause Of the defenceless and the orphan
he drew tears from the sternest hearts. Blu
here, how different | never before saw
Cicero in such character; never though
he possessed such power. He appeared
IN new and divine light. He seemed liIl
Patriotism herself, descended in human form
to save our threatened country. Such ;
strain of impassioned eloquenco never be
fore fell from the lips of mortal man. Now
he addressed Catalina with the most thrill
ing denunciations, laying open to his view
the whole course of his past life; his vices
his intrigues, bis daring vlilanies, his pres.
ent horrid plot; exhorting him to leave the
city and fly beyond the walls Now. he ad.
dressed the Senate, conjuring them in tho
name of the republic, devoted to ruin, their
city to conaagro.ion, their wives to violence,
their children 10 slavery, themselves TO death
to unite and crush the foul and daring trail
tor. Now, in the name Of the mighty foun-
ders of the republic-of Romulus, and our
martial ancestors, he implored the protec-
ton of heaven over this hitherto favored
land. Argument, entreaty, expostulation,
persuaton, warning, threatening-all were
used, to rouse the Senate into action, and to
drive Catalina from the walls. Whom he
thanked the immortal gods for protection
thus far, could but think of the devout and
aged Chryses, as he stood in the midst of
the Greclan camp on the plains of Illium
with his hands raised TO heaven in PRAYER
When he invoked theirprotection for the fu-
ture, his tones were like the music of Apol-
10. When he called down vengeance on
the head Of Cataline, they were like the
thunder Of Jupiter Nover-noyer can
forget this day. A feverish excitement is
still upon me. Methinks | see his majestic
and noble frame; still hear the music, the
thunder of his voice. TWAS indeed a spec
tucle of true moral sublimity-to see a sin
gle man, not knowing what might be the rs
sue, of course not knowing whether the SEN
ate would support orabandon him-rise up,
fearless, in the midst of so august an assem-
bly,, and deliver himself with so much pow
er, such eloquence, for his country's good
As special pleader, as an advocate for the
rights of injured innocence, we have long
acknowledged and felt his power. Butwiih
this day has commenced new era of his life.
With this day viii his name be associated
with all that is great and exalted in nature.
As an imprisoned orator, an able states
man, great and virtuous patriot, will his
memory be cherished in all time to, come
Long, long, my Atticus, may he be preserv-
ed to Romei Long may he live to protect
the rights, and direct the energies Of this
great republicl Farewell!
n d ~