Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-12-05
BRUTUS AND HIS SONS.

Tarquin the proud. King of Rome,
was in sore perplexity. A dread
full pestilence had broken out with
in the city, and the people were
dying in great numbers. Toadd to the
general gloom, serpent was seen TO
glide cautiously from one pillar of the
palace to another 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 of the
serpent as an i'll omen. What did it
foreshow? His death, or the dissolu-
ton of the monarchy? Itwas prob
lem which could not be solved. After
much speculating, it was decided that
his two sons, Aruns and Titus, should
consult the oracle of Delphi, and seek
an explanation of the mystery. The
young princes were thirstIDg for ad-
venture, and joyously undertook the
Journey into France.
A man named J,ncius Junius Brut-
US had accompanied them. His faith
er had fallen victim to the cruelty of
Tarquin, and to secure safety, he sf-
fected mental imbecility. Aruns and
Titus had no suspicion that he was
other than he seemed. They did not
expect that be would share the periis
they must encounter. His apparent
idiocy made them think it impossible
for him to understand the great issue
at stake; but he could jest, and amuse
the party with his tricks. He
went simply as a buffoon. Upon
the temple of Delphi, an
offering was presented to the god. 1t
was piece of gold enclosed in rod
of carmel-wood consecrated to receive
it. In this way, it was hoped to ap-
pease the wrath of the deity.
The princes then inquired with
great anxiety; Who shall reign in
Rome hereaiter?"
The reply was, He shall be king,
who shall first kiss his mother
Aruns and Titu were surprised.
They agreed to conceal the words ef
the oracle from their elder brother.
Lestus, and to hasten back and embrace
their mother, the queen, and to reign
jointly.
Brutus had also heard the answer of
the god. He affixed a very different
to it. The earth, he thought.
was the common mother Of mankind.
Pretending to fall, he devoutly
kissed the ground and arose, cherish
ing a secret hope of becoming a future
ruler.
He returned with the princes to
Rome. The mask Of idiocy he had
worn to conceal deep purposes was
now boldly thrown off.
He was burning to revenge the
murder of his father. and personal in
juries. Lucretia, the wife of Goliath
nus, had been cruelty wronged by Les
tus Tarquini. She was a relative of
Brutus, and his hatred of Tarquin and
his family now became intense. Every
energy was employed in the work of
overthrowing the regal power.
He became a public agitator. He
boldly set forth the oppressive acts of
Tarquin, and the advantages of a
simpler form of government. The
people listened and believed An in
surrection speedily followed, and the
king and princes were forced to leave
Rome.
Bya single stroke, Lucius Junius
Brutus had put an end TO the mon
archy, after it had existed forty-three
years.
The Romans were called upon to de-
eide how they would be governed.
After much debate, it was determined
that the supreme authority should be
vested in two persons. Brutus aud
Collatinus were elected consuls. They
were surrounded with the insignia 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 obliterate all traces of
monarchy.
In time this despotic exercise of
power made the republican government
ment unpopular. The young patri-
clans, reared in luxury and addicted
to pleasure, groaned under the arbi-
trary sway of the consuls. Sympathy
Tor the deposed king and princes con-
demned to exile began TO be fe.t. The
former gaieties were remembered and
many earnestly longed to have them
revived.
Opposition to Brutus and Collatinus
arose and spread widely.
Tarquin soon bocame aware of the
disaff on. He sent his ehmissaries
to Rome, who found means TO excite
the young men into spirit of rebel
lion. A plot was matured in secret, to
restore the monarchy. The noblest
youths in Rome engaged 10 it. The
two sons of Brutus, and the nephews
of Collatinus, we're among the number.
The conspirators met by stealth,
and bound themselves by solemn
path 20 unite their energies to over
throw the republic:
Their ploi was discovered.
A slave. named Vindicus, suspecting
treason, secreted himself in the house
where their secret meetings were held.
He listened to their conversation, and
learned that strong blow was about
to be aimed against the government
He revealed the plot to the authori-