Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-01


pidly. Clients crowded around me, and
business multiplied exceedingly upon my
hands. | was generally successful at the
courts. The connexion Of my name as adj
vocate to any cause was ever regarded as
guarantee of triumph to the party by
whom was retained. AT length, howcv-
er, my popularity was viewed with envy,
and many of my rivals in the profession
hated me for my fame. They lost inhu-
ence, while steadily gained in popular
favorl
But with all my success and honor, |
was unsatisfed! l longed for other triumps
for additional renown. became ambi-
tious Of political preferment. and entered
the arena ofbitter party strife. The times
were propitious to my purpose. Two
great factions convulsed the country
The one advocated strong government,
which should be administered by privi-
lodged few! The other, government
based on the sufrages of the people, with
its functionaries obedient to the popular
sovereignty. The respective parties were
nicely balanced, and it was difficult to de-
termine the preponderant feeling. The
Federalists were powerful, but the Repub-
licans were determined. The former ha-
ted and feared the people, and disputed
their ability to govern themselves under
democracyl They snecred at them-call-
ed them "Rabble, "Jacobins, " and thought
of the bloody days of Paris! The Repub-
licans had felt the lash Of the Briton king.
They vowed never again to be scourged
ike dogs! They shouted, "Down with
kingly and exclusive rule! Long life to
Republican Democracy"
Oh, those were thrilling timesl 1t warm
cd the ife-blood and famed the fires of pat
riotism. | saw the road to distinction be-
fore me. Ientered the broad way. Ihad
great gift Of speech. / harangued the
people, and my burning cloquence increas-
ed the fervor Of their shouts of liberty
! scattered around my wealth-declaim-
ed with the bitterest tongue-and won
over convert after convert to the cause
Of equal freedom. / was denounced
as a reckless dcmagogue by the oppo-
sinon. They dreaded me as the Ro-
bespierre Of the New World, while by my
friends was ranked as Il Mirabeau in ora
tory, and second only to the opposite of
Liberty" hirnselfin patriotic sentiment.
The Republicans triumphed, and re-
joiced in their signal success. Now |
had office and emolument, but | had
reached the goal of my ambition!
| ascended rapidly the ladder of fame,
and reached the topmost round, save
-oaei God! it was dizzy elevation! l
could not look belowl The bauble of
empire was within my grasp! l fell like
the fiend Of darkness to the vile earth be-
meath! "Oh, my coautrynaea, mhat a faH
acaS Merep"
My spirit was still unconquercdl l
rose from the dust-maddened but not
subdued. l resolved again to secure what
| had lost, and was determined to make
any sacrifice to crafty my unholy passion
and ambition. There was one who had
thwarted my purposes-atleast,
| fancied he had. He was great states
mana high-souled, honorable man! He
had crossed my path at the bar Of the
courts, and circumvented me in my polit-
cal designs. | made provocation for
quarrel with him. He was ready to ex-
plain, but was no poltroon. Twas deter
mined on a meeting, and waived all cx-
planation. We met. He fell! | sent
his soul, uncallcd, to the bar of the dread
Eternal!
My thirst for blood was appeased, but
the laws were outraged, and my country
sorely wronged. | cared not for thatl L
despised all laws, and defed man and
Hcaven | was proclaimed the outlaw
and murderer! The authorities seta price
on my head-and, had | been taken, my
body would have made food for the vultu-
res on the scaffold! l fed from the haunts
Of men, and for many weary months shut
myself out from the world. / was cow
ard and fend! Blood was on my soul,
and remorse conjured up continually the
phantom ofmy gaih! Yet soon that fear
ful tragedy was forgotten Men ceased
not 10 remember it-but the Argos Of the
law slept
But my eventful destiny was yet unfn-
ished. My dream Of ambition was not
cNti. hNiC tsiAiO new siolOil5OI COtltluGSl
and fame, Of regal honors and triumphs
and splendors! Far away, in the cline Of
the burning sun, there was a magnificent
empire which might be possessed by the
strong arm of daring and ambition. 1t
was the land Of silver and gold and glitter
ing Jewels. 1t was the land where the fig-
tree hourished, and where the orange-blos-
SONS swectened the breath of the zephyrs.
The city was great, and the streets crowd
ed with palaces and temples, adorned with
statues and paintings costly device and
execution. The people were luxuriated
and enfeebled by the excess Of their plea
sures. They fancied themselves secure in
their riches, and did not dream Of the in
vader coming with burning sword to des-
troy their fair land. Such was my pur-
pose! | longed to sit upon the throne Of
the Montezumas, and to wicld the sceptre
Of an empire such as the world never saw
for grandeur and glory Of power! l
breathed the grand scheme Of conquest to
a select few, and speedily gathered to my
side band Of choice spirits, who were ca
ger at once to enter upon an expedition
which was to prove the Ell Dorado of our
hopesl The rendezvous was appointed
1t was on the borders of the fair land we
sought to conquer and possess. Thither
we were to repair with all secrecy and
despatch. Each individual took the oath
Of confederation; each pursued his own
route for the ultimate destination--the bet
ter to keep our design concealed.
| travelled in disguise and alone. |
went the circuitous way of the great val
ley-by the route of the fresh waters.-
| embarked on thatbrght clear riverwhose
spring rise in the mountains, and which
rolls gracefully onward to kiss the Father
of Waters. Far away, my little craft was
at length anchored by the peaceful shores
Of an earthly paradise. 1t was induced to