Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-10
FOR THE SPIRIT OF TDEA ACE.
Early Impressions -Hannibals cath.

Early Impressions -Hannibals Gath.
We are told by historians that lIaRilcar
took his son at the age of niue years ID the
altar, and there before the gods requiral of
him an oath Of eternal enmity to the Ro-
mans. Some may suppose that this was an
unnatural and uncaed for act on the lart
of HannbaPs father; but when we recoIect
the ambitious and grasping disposition of
the Roman peoPle-ther insatiate thirst for
dominion, and a manifest determination at
that time on the part Of some Of their most
influential Senators to accomplish the destruc-
iion Of Carthage-we cannot blame him
Hamllcar was man OF more than ordinary
di>cernment Of mind; he plainly saw that
the object of the Romans was the entire sub
jugation of the Carthagenian people, which
would pave the way for the extension of their
dominion over the whole of Africa He
knew that even if peace we're made with the
Romans, and a treaty Of amity entered into
between the two natons, that the R0Inans
would when favorable opportunity afforded
! for the accomplishment of their object, find
an ex,use for the renewal of hostilities. He
knew that the Roman Senate looked upon
the city Of Carthage with jealous eye, and
that one Of the leading members of this an
gust body was wont TO say at the conclusion
OF every speech he deli> cred on the subject
that Carthoge must be destroyed" He
was we'll aware that two such formidable RI
walls in such close proximity could not long
remain in peace-therefore we say, that he
was right and fully justifable in using the
extraordinary means he did. in impressing
the convictions Of his own mind upon that of
his son. 1t appears that he had a prophetic
knowledge of Hannibal> future greatness
that upon him would devolve the protection
and defence Of his country, that with him
would rest the destiny of Carthage, and in
eai1 titnrnxceteu tsrIvr e, ,gSse1 u'cA s1Ie
mind of Hannibal, was the great lever OF mo-
tive power which governed his future course
, in life, and which gave an impetus to the un-
precedented rapidity of the accomplishment
, Of his plans Of operation against the Romans.
1t characterized his whole lite-and acted as
| a powerful incentive in stimulating him to
, extraordinary deeds Of valor. Whilst he
forced his way up the ascent, and surnoun-
t ted the craggy heights Of the Alpine noun
tains, it er>ed his mind with extraordinary
energy, and his body with superhumaE
: strength-then might have been seen writ
9 ten on every lineament of his manly features
j. manifest determination of performing his
q early VOW, and wreaking vengeance upou the
p enemies Of his country. HIS many brilliant
$ Victories after hating crossed the Al rs upon
q the enemy's own soil, over the hitherto in
: vncible Roman Legions, show him to ha, e
been a man of uncommon powers both of
T. body and mind. And had it not,Aeepsfpr
t. the Lreachery of his own ungrateful Country
# men he would doubtless have succeeded in
" humbling the proud spirit of the Roman
" Senate.
" Tho bsnished from bis native country and
= doomed to end his life in exile, Hanniba
or still cherished as the idol of his heart the
j. same hatred to the Romans-the oath ht
F. had so early taken was neUer erased from
-, his mind, no it sounded in his ears, seethet
bo in his brain and burned in his bosom so Ions
. as the blooo Of his father continued 10 cours
IN his veins And we have reason to believ
. that even in the last agones Of death, h
~ breathed from his heart the same eteraa
its eternal enmity to the Romans
OIL "When all save life-friends country, power wei
bo flown,
When reft of hope, his heart yet scorned to ache
M When the worlds outcast, aged and alone,
IN Whom toll, war, famine, wOe had failed to breal
on Whom hostile force or kindred guile to shake
Rome's terror still--in CHASTITY pride he safe,
U.s. Till the Bithynian tyrant deigned awake,
to A mighty suppliant at his barbarous gate
nd Eternal Hate to Rome-twas still Eter1ea Hate
ny When the soul hovered on its quvering wing
Yay As 10th to fly, yet impotent to stay;
the When the last comfort of the treasured ring
- The sole Avenger of dark Cannae's day
se- Was quaffed; when hope had nought for which
not pray,
are When writhing brow confessed, and grinding tee
-: The pangs which rend the spirit from the clay;
ioI Hate parted not, but with the parting breath,
rec Hate, in life supreme, invincible in death "
use We cite the above case of Hannibal's
IL the purpose of illustrating the permanent
ing of edrly impressions. Impressions made
ere ii .o cl,doo, los, os,,oo;.u, ,.bor m.
'erS by parents on the minds Of their of,prin
ue, but on the contrary after man has attain
nea to the age Of maturity, he may be melted
:, ol tears by the enthusiastic eloquence of pu
'ne lie speaker, or be fully convinced Of an err
anu by the earnest pleadings Of his parents
le- friends, yet SO soon as the Object is lost
ous sight, the impression is gone-as if it b
Vi been made upon water. Thus it takes
lng' convert man from the error Of his way
% slime upon line, and precept upon precel
9ulu whilst one kind admonition, given So ca
mere impressed upon the mind of the child. n
leVc = changefor the better, and characterize its
VI forever.
ana One word to parents and We are done
rom Can you not see something in the cond
1sPy Of Hamilcar worthy Of imitation The
ling passion of this great man seemed to h
Or IL L. h,a II