Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-07-20
have fallen victim to the excited passions OF the

have fallen victim to the excited passions OF the
crowd.
These elements were sufficient to destroy any re-
public and something similar the destruction OF
The Italian Free cities where slavery never existed.
! When we consider tie method in which Rome sought
tu Increase her citizens by Incorporating the inhaGl
nn'S ut whole conquered districts into the centuries,
while only those present at Rome were allowed the
privilege vi suffrage, we another element of de-.
sruc;un. Would Mr.. Bancroft, with his knowledge
Of great cities. of Boston. of New York, OF London,
bc willing to trus: the legislation of the country,
even the States of New York or Massachusetts. i'll
to the hands Of the rabble OF the cities gathered to-
! gethcr in vast aSSemb!age. How is IL even now
in the city in which he resides! DO we not hear conf
plants after every election that money carries the
day. and have we not capitalists there bidding =
Money bids for nomination TO the highest olilce III
the gift Of the American people. We thnk II was
perfectly right and proper 10 Gvo to the people OF It.
ally the rights Of citizenship, but that was merely an
empty nnme without also representative government
| Mr. bancroft refers 10 the immcnse number OF
slaves employed in tng the land of the mobiles, and
! shows the drgrafntOn Ot the free laburcr and the
consequent sinking uf the character oi the ci'Izen-
lIIs was the result Of the wars entered into Tor the
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENT uf Rome. The public law of anti
fulty condemned all capvcs i'll wartu death or slave
| ry' ana The constant wars in which Rome was en-
gagged 81 glutted the slave market that large estate
could be stocked at a very low price. They further
obtained large districts, which appropriated by
Tie patrlclaIIs to their own This evil and the
oHy one urged rs the grOundw0rk OF Mr. bancroft
elaborate essay, is not the result OF slavery, but ra.
ther O other Cruises Of the results of which was
the abuse of slavery.
As long rs the Roman State only contended in Italy
IN short campaigns, the patrcians could easily manage
affairs, a. the mass of the Commons easily
bought OIL. When large armies, however, began TO
be employed, and kept in the field campaign after
cnmpaign, in Gau i'll Asia, in Africa the soldiers
became attached 10 their chief, and were willing ~
elevate him TO power the ruins of the institutions
ot the country. Thus wars in which Roman
General and Roman General oppose each other; Ro-
man lcSlons and Roman lcglOns contend with utmost
rrOcity. The prize Of victory being no less than the
rule Of the State Thus, we have briefly and imper-
tcctly examined the causes of the decline of Rome
We have vertri tu the teachings of that pho-
s"phy brought from Greece, after it had destroyed
Greclan virtue and liberty for this rather vatcd the
nriStocrncy; and though the influence of their vices
was felt by the c0mmOnaity, yet Is it was not evil
dent, and was likewise only secondary cause, we
have merely alluded to it here.
Had Rome required limited probation and then
| admitted 10 full rights of citizenship the strangers
hncking to her gales and the people Of The conquer
ed ltnan States-hud she 10 this added representa-
tive form ui government, admitting delegates from
the rural prOvinces-had she kept her mobiles from
taking possession OF the public lands, and permitted
each citizen to acquire what he could of tem-had
she destroyed n exclusive rights OF class, she might
still be mistress OF the world, or rather the capital
city of vast confederation OF free citizens whose
fields would be titled by those intended by the great
Ruler Of the world to be the bond.men and bond-wo
men of asuperior race. l.. j. q.
| FAIRFAX Co., Va, July, 1850.