The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-07-02

ranks. Such were the premonitory
symptoms of decay in the republic
Of Rome.
Then follow the agents Of the
treasury who invade every depart
ment of the Empire or republic. -
The almost infinite detail of the ex-
pense Of civil and military admin
istration exceed the powers of i'm
agination. Its thousands of agents
have tendency to multiply and re-
plenish the earth, if not the treas
ury. The rulers become owners of
immense private estates; presents
from aspirants to Office and fame,
as we'll as from monies unjustly with
held or cmbezzlcd from the public
exchequer. In the Roman Empire
these estates extended from the
foot Of Mount Argaus to the banks
Of the Sarus, and were made IA
nous by noble race of horses, one
Of which Caligula caused to be
clothed in the robes of consular dig
nifty.
To facilitate intercourse between
the Imperial city and the Provinces
post roads were established, though
connected with pernicious abuse
in their construction and manage
ment. Under the pretcnse of their
construction the treasury was plum
dered, and thousands Of agents ap-
pointed to report whatever they
could see Of the conduct Of the peo-
pie, until they were considered as
spies Of the Empire and the scourge
of its citizens. These spies of I'm
perial authority were encouraged
by favors and rewards given by the
Emperor to watch assiduously and
report the progress of every trea-
sonable movement. Their criminal
violation of truth became necessary
that they might retain their places,
the injustice they did to truth and
justice being tho consecrated mark
of their zeal.
These terrible evils Of being
watched by spies and being subject
to espionage, were, however contin-
cd to the smaller number of the
citizens ; to those whose rank and
fortune exposed them to tho jeal-
ousy Of the rulers. The obscure
millions had much less to dread
from the cruelty than from the ava
rice of their masters, their princi-
pal burden being the excessive taxes
which press gently upon the wealthy
but descend with crushing weight
upon the laborer. With one fell
swoop the Emperor despoiled those
of rank and fortune of authority,
and the laborers of tie fruits Of the
hard earnings of life of privation
and toll. While retaining the du-
tics and customs, on merchandise,
that are imperccptibly paid by the
consumer. yet the policy of Constan-
tine and his SUCCESSORS preferred a
mode Of taxation more congenial
to the spirit of arbitrary govern.
ment. The Emf error with his own
hand, and in purple ink, indicated
by solemn edict, the measure of
revenue real or imaginary that
would be necessary for the purposes
Of the government, but as the rev.
enues would fall short of the expen-
ses, an additional tax under the
head Of a "Supcr-elict" was i'm
posed by the emperor and collected
by the prafects under the absolute
authority of the Emperor.
Such is o faithful outline Of I'm
perialism succeeding Republican
Governm ent in ancient Rome. The
intelligent reader can form his own
opinion and trace the analogy be-
tween our actual condition, politi-
cally, and that of the incipicnt steps
in Roman Imperialism. He can
ask himself thoughtlully and serious
ly if history is not repeating itself
in our day and generation? And
if it be not already true, may
earnestly enquire how long it will
be before this outline Of Roman his
tory may in all its terrible reali :
ty be applied to the republic Of the
United States.
The Irish Church disesta blish-
ment bill passed to a second reading