The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-31
The Modern Conspiracy of Catiline.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
1t has been well said that history repeats
itself, and it is especially interesting to
note just at this time the peculiar SIM
plicity of certain features of the political
campaign now closing. with what is now
known in history as the conspiracy of Cati-
line, which occurred nearly two thousand
years ago. a1
In Rome at this time there were four
parties-Pompey and Cicero, in power;
Crassus, for the aristoerats who resented
their claims; julius Caesar. foremost
among those. the Marians, who had op-
posed the recently deceased Dictator.
Sulla- and Catiline, at the head of the host
of warriors that Sulla had settled in peace
full pursuits throughout Italy but who were
ready to rusiliate the instant even one of
their five senses gave notice that spells
were atield. He was also the favorite of The
poorer class and the common people in the
city itself. rss
Catiiine, called the cruel, is described as
"a ferocious man of powerful body and
strong mind. All his powers were pervert-
ed to evil, and when to his natural vicious
ness there was added the intensity of dis
appointed political ambition he was ready
to plunge his country into the most des-
perate strife to crafty his hate" The
torian puts it, were discontinued and dis
affected, and Catiline took advantage Of
the situation and played upon their feelings
AS the Latin puts it. malos extoIlunt-en-
deavored to exalt the factions His finan-
ciaI policy is thus described by Sallust:
AIlenl avidus sui profusus," covetous of
the goods of others, wasteful of his own.
Sallust. the first Roman to write what
Is now considered as history, and who fur
nished Il full account of the Catiline con-
Spiracy, thus writes of the feeling of the
people: Nor was this disaffected spirit
confined to those who Were actually con-
cerned in the conspiracy for the whole Of
the common people, from desire Of
change. favored the projects of catiline. in
accordance with their general character
for in every state they that are poor envy
those of the better class, and endeavor to
tablished condition of things and long for
something new, they are discontented with
their own circumstances and desire a gen.
eral alteration; they can support them
selves amid tumult and sedtion without
anxiety, since poverty does not easily suf-
fer loss. 1t is unnecessary TO here ex-
plain the causes for this condition of
things nor to more than remark that the
human nature of to-day is much the same
that of old.
Catiline. who came from the ranks of the
arstocrats. had been successful in politics.
but in So Is. C.. he was defeated for a con-
sulship. This was while Pompey was in
Lesser Armenia, at the four or five-year
war in which he finally squelched Mfthri-
dates. He at once entered into a conspir-
acy to murder the successful candidates
and seize the government, but was foiad
through his own impatience Escaping
punishment, he was really encouraged by
his failure. Two years later he again ran
for a consulship his competitor being
the great orator Cicero. who defeated him
Gathering about him the profiigate no.
bles and criminals who had nothing TO lose
and everything TO gain by revolution -
Catiline revived the conspiracy. especially
including Cicero, but his plans were too
large and too slowly manipulated One of
his mistakes seems to have been in not
having taken the advice OF Lentuus who
early urged him 70 seek aid from ALL even
the lowest" IA mistake which is not being
made nowadays by the modern Catiline)
which would have included the vast num-
Der of slaves: but catiine was too proud
for this. But the conspiracy was uncov-
cred to Cicero, and by him seathingly ex-
posed in four orations. In one of these ne
took occasion 10 speak or other enemies
of the state, one class who. with enor-
nous debts have still greater possessions
but hope to escape paying debt by agita-
ton. But their Intention and their