The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1866-10-04
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A Chapter in Roman History.

IL OHapt6r III hOilldn nlstOfy'
Roman history, it is often said,
is similar to cur own. Ii this DO
true, it may not be difficult, SO far
as the ruling characters OF Rome
were concerned, 10 point ont tho
chapter which applies to the pres
ent time.
About A. ID. 81, tic ~ and
reign of Claudius came suddenly 10
an end, by murdcrous hands, and
Nero was proclaimed Emperor by
the Roman Senate. (Thi' would
mark the period WREN Lincoln was
assassinated, and johnson elevated
to the Presidency Nero was a
young man Of promise, and a
great Avorito with the people and
in his inaugural address before tho
Senate and people, ho declared
that he did not intend to usurp tho
civil powers OF the State, but con-
sidered himself merely rs comman-
der.in chief OF the armies Of tho
Commonwealth, and that it was
simply his duty to execute the ma
tional will as declared by the Sen
ate, andset forth in the constitution.
These promises gave great salts
faction, and for n time the govern
ment seemed to be we'll admins
tered. Tho true character how.
ever of Nero was not long in devel-
oping itself. lie refused the coun-
sells Of the good and tried, collected
around him corrupt men, and gave
himself mp almost entirely to them.
lie first intrigued, t en- bullied and
defied the Senate, till he bad rob-
bed it of all its constitutional pow
ers, and had assumed those powers
himself. lie thus turned against
those who had raised him to power,
cut off the heads Of all whc dared
to oppose him, (klcked them ont }
raised mp the worst ofmen to office
and influence, instituted oppres
sion, murder and robbery against
the weak and defenceless, until the
constitution was no defense, aud
the rights OF the Roman citizen,
ever so sacred, were utterly viola
ted, and in many parts OF the En-
pire murder and wrong were the
order of the day, (New Orleans
and much of the South.) He was
exceedingly fond of popular APP
plause, and in order to show that
he cared nothing foi dignity"
he frequently appeared before tho
people as an actor on the stage, and
in the circus. lie was 80 elated
with his success rs an actor, that
J he determined to make a tour
through his empire, accompanied
I by his chief assistants, exhibit in
tho principals, and thence visit
Greece, display his powers ae aa
athelete, &c, and contend Tor the
prizes at the Olympian games
AS men do in modern times, he
sent proper persons before him to
secure a grand reception, and to
: corrupt the judges, that he nigh,
J make sure of tho prizes. The trip
! was made, its follies were transac-
, ted, and Nero returned to Rome in
,, triumphal procession, through a
; brcech in her walls, exhibiting the
prizes he had won, 1900 in nun.
Der. This was the last feather,
9 The folly and dygred;.tion of the
Emperor, had now reached such a
point that longer endurance was
0 impossible, and there came tiiingf
from the North provinces, Of re-
: volt. vermont and Ma;he.)
e When Nero heard that Galba
n had joined Vindex in the revolt
a with all the legions under his com
= mand, and that they were march
= ing upon Rome, he fell into 6
frenzy of rage ard terror. He
c kicked over tho table at which hG
: was feasting, tore his garments
crushed his cups upon the floor
!. and then commenced dashing hi
!; ;c head against the wall like a mad
r man. And now the Senate and
" people turned openly against him
even his friends in crime torsool
. him, and none were SO mean as tt
'r do him reverence. lie tried to fine
10 some one to kill him and could not
70 +" Alas |" he exclaimed, "has j
9, come to this? Am | SO utterly
y abandoned, shat i have not ever
- enemies left who are willing {
h. kill me p Reduced to the last ex
10 trem;ty he fled the city, but ever
AZ tue elements seemed te .urn ageins
is him, and a fearful storm OF thunder
and lightning burst over him. Too
1T cowardly to kill himself, he fell al
irl last by the hand Of servant.
IL ~. 80 oha n.ra hnf man nra nnncl