People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-12-09
HOW A ROMAN MOTHER LOST HER
JEWELS.

One hundred years before Christ was
born there lived in the city of Rome
lady named Cornelia. She was
the daughter of Scipio, the general
who defeated Hannibal. She belonged
to noble family. They had wealth
and the highest social standing. Her
relatives had held some of the best
offices within the gift of the Roman
people, and had distinguished them
selves very much, both in war and in
peace.
This lady, Cornelia, married man
named Gracious. She had many chill
dren, who all died early except two boys
and girl. She was left widow while
these children were young
As this story concerns the two boys, I
will speak only of them. They were
taught in the most careful way. Their
mother took the greatest pride in them.
and their education and home training
was the very best that could be given.
To show you what solid sense and true
pride this lady had, l will tell you the
anecdote which is always thought of in
connection with her name.
One day proud Roman lady came to
pay CorneGa a visit. The visitor was
finely dressed, and wore splendid jewels.
She talked a good deal about her finery,
and especially Dragged on her jewels.
COrnelia listened with the good-natured
contempt which sensible person al
ways has for fool. Finally the visitor
wanted to know of Cornelia what sort
OF jewels she had, and asked to see them.
Cornelia went out and got her two boys.
She led them into the room where the
proud Lady was. Pointing to them, she
said, "These are my jewels"
History does not tell us whether the
proud lady tainted or not. Her remarks
are not given. In those days the kodak
had not been invented. and therefore we
don't know what the expression Of her
face was. 1t was probably bilious.
The boys continued to grow in
strength and size, and learning and
after a while they became men.
The older brother was named Tibe-
rius the younger was named Caius.
They at once began to perform the
duties of life. They went to the wars
and fought bravely. They gained great
praise as soldiers. Their names were
highly hOnOred.
Not only did they serve their country
well in war, they also were active sup.
porters of good government in times of
peace. They were both very fine speak
ers, and the cause of the helpless and
the oppressed found in them earnest adj
vocates They loved justice. They tried
to have the right thing done always.
The mother, the noble lady Cornelia,
was prouder of her boys than ever.
But the good lady was soon to lose
her jewels. She was soon to see both of
her sons killed by their own people.
How did it happen?
You must remember that the city of
Rome, at that time, ruled over the best
part of the world, as then known. The
Romans were great fighters. They
made war upon other towns and cities,
and they generally came out on top.
Sometimes they had wars that lasted
twenty years at a clip. They hardly
ever quit until they cleaned up their
enemies and took their land. By this
means the Roman people grew to be the
r,.ISv,rr vDoO,,In Of 4I,, Mould
Now, it was the law among these Ro-
mans that the land they took from their
enemies should belong to all the Roman
people. They had all fought for it, and
it was fair that all should enjoy it.
You must not suppose that Roman
could not own land as private property.
He could. The Romans who had bought
lands could hold them just as we do.
Nobody could take them away. Nobody
over tried to do so.
But the land I am referring to was the
public land which the army had taken
from the enemy. This was public
property. The law said that this public
land was to be rented out and the rent
paid into the public treasury. By this
means the people generally would get
The benefit of these public lands. The
aw also said that no man should use
more than $50 acres of this land.
Now, all this looks fair. The poor
folks helped fight for the land Just as
the rich ones did hence the land ought
10 have been just as free to a poor man
Is to rich one-provided he paid the
rent
But it was not so. The rich were
greedy for more land. They wanted
more wealth and power in their own
hands. They wanted to get all the lands
20 that the few would have great riches
while the mass of the people were very
soor.
So they violated the law. and the poor
people could not help themselves. The
public lands all went into the hands of a
ew, and instead of paying rent into the
public treasury. as the lay commanded,
hey built fine houses on it everywhere
md claimed it as their private property.
they never had bought it; they had not
,aid for it, and they had no right TO use
+ except in small lots and by the pay
nent of rent. But they refused to pay
nv rent, and instead of using only $50
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