The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1879-07-09

given, arc correctly rendered; 70,
writer's alive at tho ti,no of the
transaction arc necessarily innu-
encod by that universal bias of tho
human mind which makes us over
estimate tho worth and prowess OF
favorito heroes, and undervaluc
those opposed to us, whilst the
future, truo historian is of course
dependent upon these imperfect
records for tho substance Of his
book.
The student who reads tho history
by the accomplished, incompatible
Ncnophon, is not conscious, whilst
hearing of tho virtues and noblcncss
of Cyrus, that in the person of this
horo arc also to be found tho vilest
elements and traits of the fratricide,
of the assassin, and Of the migrate,
and yet nobody questions the gen,
eral correctness Of his account Of
tho Retreat of the Ten Thousand.
The reader of Abbott gets quite q
different impression of tho character
Of Napoleon from that which is pro-
drced by the pcrusal Of Scott or
Alison; nevertheless, tho stupen~
dous occurrences in European
history during tho evontful epoch,
arc truthfully given, and Napoleon's
agency and influence properly noted
by all. It is enough that certain
general leading facts transpired,
and that ma4crial modification Of
thought and change in national
character were the result. For in
stance, historical truth will havo
been vindicatcd, when writers
agree that Btbylon was captured by
Cyrus the Great, 53S b. c., and that
by his high personal traits and supc~
rior mental ondowments, ho im-
pressed himself favorably upon the
prosperity of his people,
and advanced the civilization of his
day. These propositions being cor.
roborntcl, captious would be tho in
divilual who would assail the truth
of history by asserting that no city
existed or was captured. because
somo Of the narrators say that it was
entered through the bed Of tho
which WAS diverted for
this purpose, and others that it was
taken by tho usual modes of up,
proach known to tho military men
Of those days.
Who would bo authorized in
denying that Troy ayistnd and woo
taken by tho Greeks, because he did
not believe in tho Homcric version
Of tho wooden horse? And yet
what substantial difference does it
mako wlleLhor it was captured i'll this
way or any other, if the material
facts arc established that such q
city had existed, and fell in conse-
quence Of war and that in it fall
was illustrated tho useful, practical
God given lesson, that communities
sooner or later will DO held rcspon-
siblc for acts of violence and oppres-
sion, and for infringements Of moral
law. And let me say here that the
truth of history is ut this moment
receiving high vindication at the
hands of Dr.. Schliemann, who, by mis-
excavations, has proven tho existence
of this once famous city about which
doubt existed in tho minds of many.
There is, then, truthful, genuine
history, which, like philosophy,
teaches by example; and Froude was
forced to admit. after donying that
it repeats itself, that one lesson
ought to be said torepeat itself with
distinctness, viz: that the world is
somehow built on moral founda-
datiops, and that in the long run it
is we'll with tho good and i'll with tho
wicked. This it teaches beyond
doubt, but there are many other
and equally valuable lessons with
which its pages arc teeming.
We arc told that under the peace
full reign and benign influence of
the patronizing divine, Augustus,
the Roman Empire attained it's
highest eminence in tho arts and
sciences, that thcro was at loast a
seeming restoration Of the land
marks of that liberty they had en-
joyed in the days of their former
glory, but which had received SO
dire q stroke ut the hands Of the
greater Caesar. The doors Of the
temple of Janus were closed after
having remained open for near two
centuries, and tho fields teemed with
q superabundance upon every hand
But page farther, and Tiberius
his Immediate successor, appears
Note, if please, tho sudden change
in tho picture: The general lower,
ing of tho standard of national ant
private character, and the waving
resources of state. In speaking O.
these times, Tytler says that HI
became negligent Of tho cares o
government, that confusion prevailoe
in every department Of state; tha
the magistrates wero unsupplied
distant provinces were without gov
ornors; and that the Roman name
became contemplate. Tho onl,
exertions Of tho imperial power wor
manifested in public executions
confscations, and tho most compli
Gated scenes of cruelty and rapino--
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