The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-12-02

In sacred history the first and high
est type Of the demagogue was Alb
salon, the brother Of Tamar, who had
been brutally wronged by Amnon. the
eldest son Of David. Absalom and
Tamar were the children Of Maacah,
o princess from the heather land OF
Geshur, and Absalom manifested his
true spirit when he compassed the
death Of his half-5rother Amnon,
whose cruelty and wild passion had
caused the ruin Of Tamar. In order
tosvengs his Fair sister. Absalom re-
sorted to guile and craftiness, and
Ezhea be hsa essiead tbs kings sons
to his sheep-shearing, he made Am
mons heart merry with wine and then
eowardly commanded his servants to
clay his brother. It was brutal muir
der, without excuse or extenuation,
in spite Of the fact that Amnon had
so wantonly outraged the young wo-
man, but Absalom had waited two
full years to seek revenge for the dis
tardly conduct Of Amnon and on ac-
count of his own crime he was COM
pelled to fee unto the land Of Geshur,
where he remained three years.
When permitted to return to his own
country, he dwelt two whole years in
Jerusalem without seeing his fathers
face.
The real character Of Absalom is
revealed in this brief narrative of his
career. Bold TO execute vengeance
upon an unarmed man, he did it in
the most oowardly manner through
the instrumentality Of others. Two
years had elapsed since his sister
was outraged and she was q mem
ber of his household all that time,
and it is recorded that he hated his
brothet, refusing to speak with him.
He waited an opportunity and slew
his brother without remorse.. The
kingdom OF David was undergoing re-
construction ct this time, and was
being tested in many ways. His own
sins were being visited upon others,
and there was dissension in the Jew
ish nation, especially in the tribe of
Judah.
It was an auspicious time for the
re-appearance Of Absalom upon the
scene at Jerusalem, sca &c ~a5 tho
man to bestir strife and invent plau-
sible reason for dissatisfaction. He
is described in holy writ as most come.
ly and attractive, and doubtless very
bland and persuasive where his hidden
motives we're not disoerned. SIN all
Israel there was none to be SO much
praised as Absalom for his beauty;
from the sole OF his feet TO the crown
Of his head there was no blemish in
him" In outward appearance and
demesnor there was much to admire
and commend, and it is not wonderful
that David relented when his son ask
ed to see the king face, receiving him
with q kiss. The reconciliation led
to David's undoing, and the unsoru-
pulous son began at once to supplant
his own father in the estimation of
his people. AbsaTom was exasperated
By an enforced exile and this led him
to foster an unholy ambition. He
was about 30 years old when he OBJ
tained the forgiveness Of his father,
and he set about at once with deIib-
crate design to become the ruler Of
Israel, working the prejudices Of .is
own tribe of Judah. He entered upon
. display OF extravaganza, which sap-
psaled to those who favored pomp and
ceremony, and he went around With;
chariots and horses, accompanied by o
retinue of subservient men.
Absalom speedily blossomed out
into frst-olass demsgog1e, and his
tribe has been increasing ever aince.
He arose early in the morning TO greet
the people as they0ame from the ooun.
I cry into Jerusalem. and he went 10
the onter gates whore he might meet
Them as they came TO the chief city.
,uron business. He sought shoss who
had 8 grievance. and he allied their.
minds with the idea that David was: as
Aneglectfnl, imperious aud disdaineul
ssSgf the lower classes.S he pretended
mpathy with cir condition, Affect
sss'l 70 have experience with their pri-.
vatiops, and proclaj med himself their
1 friend under any and ell ciscum-
! stances. His political antics have
besn reproduced il ali ages, and lin
our own time has been witnessed the
\ scounterpa of Absalom, the pretsnd-
& ed reform mar. That was the end OF
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