Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-03-19
Miarfllanroll5.
From the HesteJn Messenger.
PONTIUS PLATE AT VIENNA.


Translated and abridged from tic Courier des
Eats Unis."
By D. S. SWAN.
Vienne in Dauphiny. province of France, the
ancient capital of trInsalpine Gaul under the
Romans is situated on the river Rhone. There
on the left bank of that beautiful stream is seen
q tomb of an ancient architecture, which, accor-
ding to tradition, is the tomb of Pontius Plate
PLATE, under whose government Jesus Christ
suffered Passus est sub PoHtiO Ploto. 1t was
in Vienne also that the Wandering jew revealed
himself in 1777-a most remarkable occurrence
the spot that contained the ashes of the Judge of
;the Righteous, was to be trodden upon by de
sccndaut of his accusers.
The following chronicle was extracted from an
old Latin manuscript, found in a monastery near
Vienne:
1t was under the reign of Caligula, when G.
Marcus was prator at NIenne, that an old man,
bent with age, yet of a tall stature, was seen to
descend from his litter and enter house of modest
appearance near the temple of Mars. Over the
door of this house was written, in red letters the
name of F. Albinus. He was an old acquan-
tance of Pilates. After mutual salutatons, Al
binus observed to him, that many years had
elapsed since their separation.-''l es," replied
Pilata s'many years-years of misfortune and
affiiction Accused be the day on which sue
ceeied Valerius Gratus in the government of Ju-
deal My name is ominous 1T has been fatal to
whomsoever has born it. One of my ancestors
imprinted an lnQeuDle luIiillS on the
front of Imperial Rome, when the Romans pass
ed under the Ca1ldiude FuTculde in the Samnte
war Another perished by the hands of the
Parthians in the against Arminius. And /
miserable me ~
"You miserable?'' asked Abnus; ''wbat
have you done to entail misery you2 True,
the injustice of Caligua has exiled you to Vienne,
but for what crime2 l have examined your af
fair at the IabH{aT'iun4. You are denounced by
Vitelus prefect of Syria, your enemy, for having
chastised the rebellious Hebrews, who had slain
the most noble of the Samaritans and who after
wards Withdrew themselves Mount Garzim.
You are also accused of acting thus out of hatred
against the Jews"
..No!'' replied PLATE, 8 Not by all the Gods,
Albinus it is not the injustice Of Caesar that af-
-fiicts me.'
What, then, is the cause of your afiliction ?''
continued Al6inus. 80 Long have l known you
sensible. just humane. l see it you are the
victim Of NitelluS."
Say not So Albinus-say not that l am the
victim of Vitellus No: | am the victim of a
Higher Power The Romans regard me as an
object of Caesars disgrace; the Jews, as the Sc
we're proconsul; the Christians, the executioner
of their God! ~
..Of their God, did you say, Plate? Impious
'wretches Adore God born in a manger, and
put to death on the crOssl
Beware Albinus, bewaret'' contidued Plate,
{. If the Christ had been born under the purple,
he would not have been adored. Listen. To
your friendship | will submit the events of my
life you will afterwards Judge whether l am
worthy of your hospitality"
On my arrival at Jerusalem, took possession
of the pretorlum, and ordered splendid feast to
be prepared to which l invited the tetrarch of
Judea, with the high priest and his officers. At
the appointed hour, no guest appeared. This was
an insult offered to my dignity. few days after
wards, the tetrarch deigned to pay me visit.
His department was grave and deceitful. He
Ii Ia
attendants to sit down at the table of the Gen
tiles, and to offer up Hbations with them. l
thought it expedient to accept of his excuse; but
from that moment convinced that the con-
quered had declared themselves the enemies of
the conquerors-
At that time, Jerusalem was. of all conquered
cities the most difficult to govern. SO turbulent
were the people, that [ lived in momentary dread
of an insurrection. TO repreSs it, l had but
single centurion, and handful of soldiers. l re-
quested reinforcement from the prefect of Syria,
who informed me that he had scarcely troops
sufficient to defend his own province. Insatiate
thirst of empirei-to extend our conquests be-
,yond the means of defending them
Among the various rumors which came to NY
ears, there was one that attracted my attention.
"A young man. it was said, had appeared in Cali
leo, preaching with noble JUNCTION, new law in
the name of the God who had sent HIM. At first,
7 was apprehensive that his design to stir up
the people against the Romans but soon were
my fears dispelled- Jesus of Nazareth spoke
rather as friend to the Romans than of the
Jews.
One day, in passing by the place of Siloe,
where there was great concourse of people. |
observed in the midst of the group a Young man
leaning against tree, who was calmly address,
ing the multitude. was told that it was Jesns
This could easily have suspected, SO great was
the difference between him and those who were
listening to him. He appeared to be about thirty
wears of age. His golden colored hair and beard
gave TO his appearance a celestial aspect. Never
have seen a sweeter or a more serene counte-
nance What a contrast between him and his
hearers, with their black boards aud tawny com
plexionsi Unwilling to interrupt him by my
presence, I continued my walk, but sign,fed to
my secretary TO join the group and listen.
My secretary's name was Mahus. He was
'the grandson of the chief of the conspirators,
who encamped in Etruria, waiting for Catalina.
hanlius was an ancient inhabitant of Judea, and
well acquainted with the Hebrew language He
was devoted to me, and was worthy of my con-
fdence.
On returning to the pretorium, / found Manlius
who related to me the words that Jesus had pro-