Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-10-01
BRUTUs AND HIS SONS.

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BRUTUs AND HIS SONS.
Tarquin the Proud, king Of Rome,
was in sore perplexity. a dreadful
pestilence had broken out within the
city, and the people were dying in great
numbers. To add to the general gloom,
a,serpent was seen to glide cautiously
from one of the pillars Of the palace and
disappear.
The news of this unusual occurrence
spread rapidly, and created great alarm.
Even the king was dismayed. His su.
perstitious fears were excited. He re-
garded the strange appearance f,the
!, serpent as on i'll omen. What did st
foreshow? His death, or the dissolu-
tion of the monarchy It was a prob.
lem which could not be solved. After
much speculating, it was decided that
his two sons, Aruns and Titus, snould
consult the oracle of Delphi, and seek
an explanation of the mystery. The
young princes were thirsting for adven.
ture, and joyously undertook the Jour
ney into France.
A man named Lucius Junius Brutus
had accompanied them. His father had
fallen victim to the cruelty of Tarquin,
and to secure safety, he affected mental
lmbecility. Aruns and Titus had mo
suspicion that he was other than he
: seemed. They did not expect that he
would share the perils they must en-
counter. His apparent idiocy made
them think it impossible for him TO un.
derstand the great issue at stake; but
he could Jest. and nmuse the party with
hlstrlcks. He went simply as q buffoon.
rnonhsnrr tho tax, ,lo os III -,
offering was presented to the god. It
was a piece of gold, inclosed in q rod of
carmel-wood consecrated to receive it.
In this way, it was hoped to appease the
wrath of the deity. gt IR -GF 3
The princes then inquired with great
anxiety, 'Who shall reign in Rome
hereafter ?"
The reply. was, He shall be king,
who shall first kiss his mother"
Arunss and Titus were surprised 4
They agreed to conceal the words ofStlie
oracle from their elder brother, Lestus,
and to hasten back to embrace their
mother the queen, and to reign jointly.
Brutus had also heard the answer of
shegod. Heaffixed a very different mean
ing to it. The earth, he thought, was
the common mothero of mankind.
Pretending to- fall. he devoutly kissed
the ground and arose, cherishipg a, ,se-
cret hope of becoming aifuture ruler.
He returned with the princes to
Rome. The mask of idiocy he had
worn to conceal deep purposes was now
boldly thrown off, ftf
He was burning to revenge the muir
der of his father, and personal injuries.
Lucretia, the wife Of Collatinus, had
been cruelty wronged by Lestus Tar
quini. Sho was q relative of Brutus.
and his hatred of Tarquin and his fami-
~ now became intense. Every energy
was emplosed in the work Of overthrow
ing the regal power za 81
He became public agitntor. He
boldly set forth the oppressive acts of
Tarquin, and the advantages OF a sim
pier form of government. The people
listenaed and believed. sAn,insurrection
speedily followed. sand the king and
princes were forced to leave Rome.
y by o single powerful stroke. Iueiua
@Jnnius Brutus Ind put an end tosShs
nlonarchy, after it hads existed forty
three years. 70 . rra HFg
The Romans were now called upon to
decide how they would be governed
After much debate, it was determined
that the supreme authority should be
vested in two persone. Brutus a. a
Collatinus were elected corisuls. They
were surrounded with all the ensigna of
power, and the kingdom was changed
to republic.
The most rigid laws were made. The
new consuls sought by leveling rank,
and allowing fortune to command no
respect, to tobliterate all traces of tho
monarchy. 7iiit'
In time this despotic exercise of pow
'er made the republican government un-
popular. The young patricians, reared
in luxury and, addicted to pleasure.
groaned under the arbitrary sway 5of
the the c oonsnls. Sympathy for the deposed
king and princes condemned to exile
began to be felt. The former naieties
were remembered, and many earnestly
longed to fave til am revived = gY I Yf's-
Opposition to Brutus and Collatinua
arose and spread syiielY.g .Se TNI1S
Tarquin soon became aware OF the dis..
affection. He sent his emissaries to
Rome, who, found means. to excite the
yourg men into'a spirit Of rebellion. "A
plo; was matured in secret, to restore