Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-28

PROFESSOR 8. q. MITCHELL.
the popular conception OF the first I'm.
peror aCcOris with Shakespeare p.r-
tray1l Of him In this drama. How Lizzie
do We know the man iu his struggle
with tremendous social and political evils
that had borne down tae noble Gllcchl
that had REDEEMED the forum with the
blood OF thousands on. Roman .tiz'.s
the man who hewod out OF barbarsm ,hd
mighty province ot Gaul, tae man "na
first carried the Roman arms and i1"
10 Britain aud across the Rhine. VINO in'
stituted numerous measures. such AS ihe
calendar. which endurts prdcuctly nh-
changed until to-day, the man VINO -
an orator vas second only 90 cicero, as
writer Of military history IS without .
peer. as a warrior that can be- menNohel
only with Alexander and Napoleon, Cd.
a statesman the greatest Whom UNIV
nation Of instructive rulers produeel IN
it, history. stretching over thousand
wears. and as a practical thinker sl-
passing. perhaps, any genius that 100
world has yet seen. To most people caesar
stands under the shadow OF great nam.
A closer study Of Shakespeare disclose
the fact that the poet regarded 'a,str
as the greatest practical genius DO MIS-
tory.
TOWERS ABOVE ALL
II Is Of interest to note how the iulg.
ment OF history has changed in regard
TO the character o. this man. For cen-
turtles he was viewed tnrJush The eyes ~
his opponents, and seemed only a a-
bauchee and tyrant 50 long az We were
willing 10 accept the current social anu
political scandal OF his times as serious
history. this view sat snei u8 1911
more recently MOmmsen, Froude, ans
Merivak make us see that in massi loo
ness. IN direct force Of purpose, In noble
ness OF character. Caesar towers Tar
above any Of those who have glineI
reputation by their misrepresentation III
him.
lie Is the central figure I'm his age AMI
hence well rcpays careful study.
The history OF Rome Is that of a cry
governing a world. England IS small
but think Of London ruling the vas. poe
sessions OF the British empire. The early
centuries OF Roman history are taken nd
in the struggles OF the plebeians 20 gam
equal rights IN the city win the patti.
clans. Then conquered Latlmer makes
the same claim. When Caesar was
boy subject I,aly fought stubb0rn.y 70
equal rights with those within the walls
OF the Eternal city. Ii Is seen. Therefore
that the widening Of the electoral franz
chise so as 20 include all the inhabitants
Of the empire throughout the lands -
the Mediterranean Sea was fQreOrIauDl
By the logic Of events. This seems plain
10 US but Caesar was the first m.li ttlr
closely graspel the idea. While b, was
not fully realized until the decree q
Caracalla. about 2l5 A. D.. Caesar put Il
motion the benehcent forces that were
10 bring it about. Thus Roman history
might be represented by series
OF coucentric circles. ever en.arg-
ing both as 10 conquest and a. % tre
gaining OF equal rights by the people.
But while IN theory the rights az cite
zenship hal been thus EXTENDED grad bio
" to all the italian peninsula sOut1
Of the Rub.con. ia fact the r.ins ~
government We're selnshly and c1rrupNy
in the hands Of an aristocratic olstrthy.
When Caesar became OF age he sided
with the people. His aunt was Mar.lss
wife He himself married the gft't
daughter OF Marius's successor. lie lived
quietly with his noble mother. Aureld, N
the Subuora.
CAESARS PERSONALITY
In person. he IL described as tall arr
slight. His features were refined. hs
eyes dark gray, ike an eagle, his meek
thick and slnewy. Ia the forum ts
xalned early some reputation as a sDtat-
er and as somewhat amateur pole
ticlan. He was known chiefly az his
time as a brilliant member of the most
fashionable society. and peculiar n-
vorlte with women. lie WAS aeliie ard
praetor IN turn. As consul, he In
troduced measures fay0ring the people.
HIS arlstocrauc colleague. being dis
l,runtled. shut himself up FOR most 0f ne
year az home. and would have nothing
more 20 DO with so str0ng-headed col-
ami as Caesar. Caesar moved with
out him.
Caesar became a soldier BY accident.
At this point the speaker sketchod brlCfy
me fourteen years OF arluOJs war mo
which Caesar was Unexpectedly plunged.
Then Caesars character was analyzei
as man. orator. writer politician. ana
warrior. In conclusion. tte Speaker
pressed home the truth 81 Van Ho.sts
remark. that from lls first to i's iasI
page the lesson OF history s hat ue
sins OF the fathers are visitor ul'h
their children" Hence by graspns the
sweep OF this inevitable law D. can AFot
the things that make against he
soundness Of political morals ana pfiNate
virtue History thus instructs the pres