Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-08-17

ed to the camp might gain The longer time fo,
their journey, telling him that he was prepar
ing to do SO. The whole multitude on this
held up their hands. and every one showed
himself ready to be surety to Icilius To them
he replied, tears at the same time filling bis
eyes, 81 am thankful for your goodness /;
tomorrow will claim your assistance at
present have sufficient sureties." Virginia
was then admitted 10 bail on the security Of
her relations. Appius, after remaining on
the tribunal for a short time lest hc should
seem to have sat merely for the sake Of the
present business, and finding that no one ap-
piled to him. the general anxiety about Vir-
ginia callng their attention from every other
subject, retired to his house, and wrote
to his colleagues in camp not to allow Vir-
gnius to leave 1t, and even to keep him in
confinement. This wicked scheme, as it do
served, was too late to succeed for Virgin
ius, having already got leave of absence, had
set out at the first watch so that the letter
for OBTAINING him, which was delivered in the
morning, necessarily produced no effect
In the city, vast multitude of citizens
were assembled in the forum at daybreak,
full of anxious expectation. Virginius clad
in mourning, and accompanied by a great
number of advocates, led his daughter into
the forum, habited in weeds, dcnoting her
distress, and attended by number of ma
irons. There he began to solicit each man s
favor; and not only requested their aid, as
boon granted to his prayers but demanded it
as his due, reminding them, that o. he stood
daily in the field of battle, in defence of their
wives and children; nor was there any man
who had given great proof Of valor and in
trepdity in action than he had DONE Yet
what did this avail, if, while the city was se-
cure from danger, their children were exposed
to calamities as grevious as could be dreaded,
if it were taken by au enemy" With such
discourses, uttered in maner as if he we're
addressing public assembly he applied to the
people individually. Icilius addressed them
with like arguments and the female attend
ants, by their silent tears, affected them more
deeply than any words could do. Appius
whose mind was hardened against all such
occurrences, violent madness, rather than
love, having prevented his understanding, as
cendcd the tribunal and when the claimant
had just begun to urge, that " through par
tiality, he had refused yesterday to pronounce
Judgement in tho cause;" Appius without
allowing him to proceed in stating bis or Civ
ing Virginus an opportunity of answering
delivered his sentence. The discourse with
which he introduced his decree some ancient
writers have set down perhaps with truth
but as l no where find any one that
seems likely to have been used on occasion of
such an lniquitous business, think it best to
represent the plain fact. of which there is no
doubt he decrced, that she should be held
in bondage until the final decision. At first,
all were struck motonless with astonishment
at such an atrocious proceeding. Silence
then prevailed for some time afterwards,
when Marcus Claudius went to seize the maid
en-. where she stood in the midst of the ma
irons, and was opposed by the women with
lamentablc cries of grief, Virginius stretching
forth his hands in menacing attitude to-
wards Appius, said, "Appius, ] betrothed my
daughter to Icilius. not to thee; and have
educated her for a wife, not for harlot.-
Do you intend that men shall indulge their
lust promiscuousy like cattle and wild beast
Whether these present will endure such things
l know not but those who carry arms, hope
never will" The claimant of the maiden be-
ing forced back by the crowd of women and
advocates who stood round her, silence was
commanded by the crier.
The decemvr, whose mind was warped by
his ungovernable lust said, that 1.-THE abusive
language of Icilius yesterday, and the violence
Of Virginius, now the whole Roman people
were witnesses Of, but that he had learned
on good authority, that, during the whole
night. cabals had been held for the purpose of
string up sedition. Wherefore, being aware
Of the disputes likely to cnsue, he had come
down with band of men in arms, not with
design of injuring any person who should de.
mean himself, but Of Furnishing in manner
suited to the majesty of government. such as
should presume to disturb the tranquility of the
state. ut will, therefore," said he "bc your
better way to remain quiet Go, lictor re-
move the crowd, and make way for the own
er to seize his slave" When, bursting with
passion, he had thundered out these words.
the multitude of themselves voluntarily sepa-
rated, and the maiden stood forsaken, a prey
to injustice. Virginius then. seeing no pros
pect oe assistance from any quarter, said.
''Appius. entreat you. first, to makesallow-
ance for fathers grief, il I have made use
Of too harsh expressions towards you; and
next, to allow me here in the presence Of the
maiden, to inquire of her nurse the truth of
this affair; that If have been falsely called
her father, may depart hence with the more
Permission being granted, he
lrcw the maiden and her nurse aside, to the
sheds near the temple of CloaciDa. now called |