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About The banner of the South. (Augusta, Ga.) 1868-1870 | View Entire Issue (April 3, 1869)
2 played upon his lips. “Yes, Jubal begs pardon and seeks to be received once more. I can then see what temper she is in—if she has forgotten the scene that has passed, and if she has she will answer yon mildly and tell you to convey to me the pleasing message of pardon. You know now your commission—exe cute it faithfully and well and by Olympus, you shall have your reward for— 77 and dropping his voice into scarcely an audible sound—“reveDge is sweet.” Thermis failed, for on making known his commission, he was unceremoniously ushered to the door. He immediately directed his steps to the house of Jubal and communicated to him the result of his errand. lie found him half intoxica ted. When the latter heard that Vi via had refused to listen to his overtures, he exclaimed, “Wise ! Wiser perhaps than she is conscious of—for as sure as Juno rides through the Elyscan fields, I would have poisoned her! Thermis started. He had not under stood the commission after all. He thought it better to say nothing further, and accordingly he took his departure with promises to meet again. “About a week afterwards Jubal re ceived a message from the High Priest, who thought to make use of him in exe cuting his plans of vengeance. The Priest knew him intimately, and did not doubt for a moment but what he would find in him an ardent and devoted aux iliary. He disguised his personal hatred t >ward Tertullian. His scheme was more cunningly devised. He was well aware that Jubal and Vivia were es tranged from each other, and that there would be nothing more agreeable to Ju bal, than to denounce her as professing a religion forbidden by the laws of the State. Tiiis done, persecution would begin, and then the blood of Tertullian would pay for the insult he had offered him at the gate of the temple. “Jubal,” he said as soon as he entered the room, “you know that the ancient re ligion of our fathers is on the decline. The gods that have protected Carthage; that have rendered it so glorious amongst all other kingdoms—that have given power to its arm and brought t© its shores such luxury and opulence—these gods, I say, are now neglected and des pised. Instead of the temples resound ing with sacred chants, there is dreary silence, instead of their being crowded by our people, a sad and gloomy solitude reigns in their spacious halls. On days of solemnity how many victims were laid upon the altar? How many were there —there to accompany by their prayers, the smoke of sacrifice as it ascended be fore the Gods ?” “Have I come here,” interrupted Ju bal, flushed with auger, and rising from his scat. “Have 1 come here only to hear tics ridiculous lamentation'? What do I care if your gods are growing old ? Besides, I have no power to restore to them their primitive youth and vigor. If they cannot defend themselves, they are worthy of the neglect and contempt, in which you say they are held by the people. As for me, 1 look upon Jupiter, Appollo and all of such sort of divinities as simple men who have departed this life and have gone to the shades. My god is pleasure ; ignorance, superstition and fear have created all others.” A frown of indignation passed over the features of Olympian, but lie thought it better to dissimulate his feelings lest he might lose a valuable assistant. “I am well aware, Jubal, that there are many who adhere to your opinion re garding our gods. Those who call themselves wise men and philosophers, have taken delight in making the world believe that they alone arc possessed of the truth and that the rest of mankind arc wandering in the mazes of error. To follow the current of public opinion, is not the road to celebrity. We are thus in dauger of being overshadowed and lost to sight in the stream. The first step that must be taken in order to gratify ambition is to depart from the established theories of the age, and in vent some new system, which will satisfy the curiosity of our ever changing crowd. But the evil has not been confined to r.eople of the ordinary class, it has wrought its way into the highest society of our City, and I regret to add, into the body of our order. These latter sacri fice, because in so doing, they are acting in conformity with their temporal in terests I have often been discouraged, and grieved at the rapid progress of in differentism amongst a people that before were so attached to the worship of the immortal gods. But lately another evil genius has crossed our path. Anew religion, the work of an obscure Jew, e mdemned for his crimes, to the pun ishment of the cross, has appeared in our midst and aspires to reign over the en tire world 1 It does not hide itself, and perform its rites in secret, but marches proudly forward, despising danger, and confident of final success. Perverts abound, and amongst the rest your mo ther !” “Yes, you are light, my mother be longs to the new sect, nor does she keep it a mystery. Why what do you think ? she wanted me to join this new doctrine, with a view to effect a reformation in my manners, which she though somewhat objectionable! poor woman! It could not be otherwise, for old age has come upon her and she feels already the infirmities of a long life. Her mind, I fancy, is somewhat impaired, and it was but natural that she should yield to the se ductions of the new religion; she has however, only ehang'ed one superstition for another! But rny dear friend let us come to the point. 1 have business of importance that calls me hence, and if you have anything very particular to say to me, please say it at once.’ 7 “I am not astonished,” replied the aged Priest. “Thus is ’’t with all im* petous youths. If you wish to depart, you can do so, but I was going to speak to you about Vivia, of that proud patri cian, that, so deeply insulted you some days ago. However, we can put this off to another time, as I see you are anx ious to rejoin your companions.” The name of Vivia made Jubal trem ble. His breast heaved, and a wild ex pression, which would seem to indicate vengeance, glanced from his bloodshot eyes. “Vivia,” he muttered in a hoarse Vfjice! “that hateful name! It arouses within me the worst passions of my na ture, and makes me thirst for revenge, like the tiger yearning for the blood of its victim. But Olympian, why do you speak of her?’ 7 “She is a Christian as well as your mother.’ 7 “I thought so from her haughty de meanor and contempt of me. 1 can see through this hypocritical sect, that forbids all pleasure and affects unlimited aus terity.” “You hate Vivia, then ?” “Hate her! I do and my vengeance will prove it.’ 7 “She is a Christian, and what pre vents you from having it at once. De nounce her to the authorities and then we shall soon see the law enforced that forbids the existence of false wor ship. We shall then see the Christians humbly approach our pagan altars and offer incense to the gods, or else be led to the arena to be torn to pieces by the teeth of infuriated lions. Perhaps amongst them Vivia. “Olympian, you speak of denouncing Vivia to the Governor. Don’t you know that the Governor is weli aware that there are numbers of Christians in Carthage ? But what does lie care so long as they pay regularly the imposts prescribed by the law. You talk of per secution. Have not the Christians as much right to adore their crucified God, as you have to adore the gods of Olym pus ? You talk likewise of vengeance, but your plan is at once ridiculous and useless. I have my own plans and ideas, and if I desire to punish Vivia for her insolent conduct, I can do it and that without the assistance you would offer me.’ 7 Olympian retained bis composure, though he was indignant at the disre spect which the young man had shown him. It was not prudent to remonstrate with him on this point, so lie continued. “You say you can do it. How is it that you have not been able to do any thing yet V’ She is powerful in the protection of her family, as also in the valiant arm of her husband, whom in marrying the other day, she has preferred to you. She can now brave your impotent fury and treat you with the same contempt as one of her slaves.” The Priest here east his acute eyes upon him, to watch the effect which his words had made upon him. It was not difficult to sec that the arrow aimed by the wily Olympian had penetrated into the core. Jubal blushed to the temples and his lips trembled with in dignation. “S 'he brave me ?” be exclaimed. ''She protected by her powerful house and by what ? bv her valiant husband ! By all the gods that ever graced Olympus, 1 swear then 1 will be blood shed in that powerful house before many days ! ’ “Take your revenge, Jubal—it is your due, but listen let me advise with you. If you execute your threat perhaps vou may buy your revenge at too high a price. Now look here. Vivia's husband appears to have yielded to the inlluence of a certain Tertullian, a Priest of that cursed sect, the Nazareenes. Before he departed for the army, lie bad several private conferences with him. On ar riving at the camp he did not conceal that he had a leaning for the Christians, and now the soldiers arc loud in their murmurs and express openly their in dignation at the apostacy of their chief. It would be easy to work among such a crowd and Vivia once a widow —” “It would be easier to strike the blow!” “You are right, Jubal, but passion in an ardent youth like you, is blind I tell you again, have your revengej but do not expose yourself to any danger. When Vivia is a widow, present your self before her courageously and ask her in marriage a second time. If she re jects you a second time with disdain, then hesitate no longer. Accuse her of being a Christian, before the Governor and before the Senate. If it is necessary we can raise a crowd and stimulate them to repeat the Roman cry “the Christians to the lions.” The blood of Vivia will then mingle with the sand of the arena.” If Jubal could have seen into the heart of the astute pontiff and have per ceived the motives which incited him to give him the above advice, he would have in all probability rejected it with scorn. But he believed that the old man had really taken his interest to heart, and he was desirous of aiding him in his attempt to revenge the insult which Vivia had offered him. And when the idea of the anv phitheatre, and of the arena flowing with the blood of his enemy presented itself to his mind, a ferocious joy took posses sion of him and his eyes moved rapidly in their sockets as if they were already feasting in anticipation on the horrors of the promised scene. “Well, then, 7 ’ he exclaimed, “1 agree to your plan, provided I can say that it was 1 who did the deed. By our im mortal gods, I see already' the crowds peering with anxious gaze upon those noble Numidian lions that are bounding with extended jaws to seize their prey. I can see Vivia fleeing to some corner, as if to protect herself from the grasp of the wild infuriated animals! Ah ? ah ! It will now be the wolf and the lamb ! Her place is found beside the lion! Curse that insult! my blood boils, aud indig nation chokes my utterance! But let me not forget the order of the programme. The husband must fall first. The poignard will here be brought into re quisition; and thy next meeting will be a cold embrace !* 7 Thus the two monsters agreed as to their future plan and as there was noth ing more to be said upon a subject which they had more than exhausted, they separated. The pontiff, stretched him self upon a couch and passed in review before his mind the probable result of their conspiracy. Tertullian appeared before his imagination laden with chains and subjected to all the tortures of con fession. His ears rang with the words that condemned him to death, and his heart, beating with the sweets of revenge, extended at the thought. Jubal had by this time rejoined his dissolute companions. They had been somewhat alarmed at his delay, for it was seldom that this occurred. They were glad to see him and all moved to make way for him. He drank with them and endeavored to conceal any symptoms of the deep pre-occupations that filled his mind. At length he rose to go. They pressed him to stay, as all the wine had not yet been drank, but he was positive and succeeded in withdrawing into the porch. Here, according to previous agreement, he met one of his slaves. “Afer, thy master must have revenge.” “Thou wilt not ask it in vain.” “Ah! I know. Thou must have mo ney. Then indeed I can command thy valiant arm to perform the most glorious deeds. Thy devotion to thy master moves within that sphere marked out by personal interest. What better art thou than the slaves around thee ?” “Weil, a poor slave need not enter into the quarrels of his master. If he ex poses himself to danger for his sake, should he not receive some reward ? Dost thou not know that a slave has fecl- ings like another, and that be shrinks from shedding the blood of those who have done him no harm ? When you commanded me the other day to strike down that young Christian slave, the dagger trembled in my hand as I beheld beneath me that innocent, unoffending creature. And when I heard her cry “wretch, what have I done thee ?” I felt every member of my body shake, with an indescribable fear, and as I fled from the scene, 1 could not but exclaim Afer, thou art marked with the brand of a villian ?” “Silence, thou hypocritical slave !” cried Jubal, flushed with anger; thy soul is as black as thy skin, and thy heart, if indeed thou hast one, is as cold and insensible as the blade of thy poign ard ! Gold will throw a charm around thee, and if it were necessary, thou wouldst even slay thy master for it—at least thou wouldst do it for thy liberty !” “Liberty! That word 1 have only heard. I have never enjoyed the sweets of the reality What is the gold of this j world to that sacred boon; When I j think of my native forests in which my j forefathers roamed in freedom and knew not the sound of a white man’s voice; j when I think of those grand old woods in which stood the log cabin or rush tent which never heard the clauking of chains, I feel within me a burning desire for revenge. By the gods of Olympus, name thy victim ! Liberty! liberty ! “Thou wilt have both gold and liber ty, Afer, if thy dagger reaches the heart. But listen, it is no longer a young girl or timid slave that is in question, but a valiant soldier, the chief of the army of Numidia, and the husband of Vivia. He is well liked by his guards, and they will be ready to defend him. In the camp however it, is not so. They are opposed to him. They suspect him of a tendency towards the Christians, and it is not astonishing tnat the veterans should bo indignant at a com- mander who had thus forgotten the tra ditions of his nation. Now, what thou hast to do, is to side with the soldiers. Thou hast craft enough but thou wilt need it all to ensure the success of this delicate undertaking. Be cautious and prudent for the slightest word may be tray thee, and then thy life will be taken without a shadow of doubt. Say not that thou art my slave. Thou mightest fall under suspicion by that, and put to the torture, thou wouldst confess all. Jake another name When thou arrivest at the camp, take care not to excite curiosity by any extraordinary motive for thy arrival. Once more let me tell thee to be prudent. Strike when he is alone, asleep, and strike well so that not even a murmur should be heard. De part now, even before the day dawns. Here is money, and when thy dagger has done its work, I will give thee more.” He handed the purse to the slave who immediately concealed it in his belt “Vivia can now prepare her mourning garments,” replied Afer, exulting over the dire results of his nefarious scheme. “Yes, she can then choose another hus band Before this moon has finished its monthly course, I shall have drank the blood of Jarbas.” The town was still buried in darkness and the inhabitants were sleeping in peace when the slave started in the di rection of the camp. [TO BE CONTINUED.] WILMJNGTON (N 0 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE BANNER OF THE SOUTH. ♦ Wilmington, N. C., March, 1869. Editor Banner of the Soi'th : Believing that a brief account of the manner in which St. Patrick’s day was observed in Wilmington, N. 0., will be acceptable to your readers, I take the liberty of sending you the following lines for publication: At 9 A. M., the members of the Hi bernian Benevolent Society assembled at their Hall, where the ceremony of presenting a beautiful flag was conducted. This magnificent gift was presented by John Dawson, Esq., President of the So ciety, and ex-Mayor of the city of Wil mington, in a lew remarks, in which he referred to the occasion as one calculated to arouse a glow of pride and patriotism in the heart of every true Irishman. The mother country of them all was pointed to with pride for her past his tory and acheivements, and affection for her in her present sufferings. The flag was then tendered the Association with the expression of a heartfelt wish that it might prove acceptable. It was received by Maj. James llielly, on behalf of the Society, who, in dis charging this proud duty made a neat and handsome speech. He, too, referred to Erin and her green shores and mem ories, and cited her historians and poets in proof of the excellence to which she had reached before the foot of the inva der desecrated her soil; her power was then destroyed and her sons forced to seek a field for their advancement in other lands. With feeling and venera- tion did he refer to these, and with grati tude did he express the Society’s ac ceptance of the flag, which he promised they would endeavor ever to retain un tarnished, and with full and grateful re collection of its kind donor. Alter this ceremony, the members fell into line and, with a baud of music, marched to St. Thomas’ Church. High Mass was there celebrated by the Rev. Father Gross, during which an address was delivered to the Society by the lit. Rev. James Gibhons, Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina. The following is a condensed, though we fear an imperfect report of the ser mon, which lasted about forty minutes. The Bishop took for his text Psalm cxxxviii: “If I forget thee 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If Ido not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.” He said: “It has.been the time honored practice of the American people to have the de claration of Independence read before them on the Fourth of July, in order that the spirit of patriotism might be stirred up in their breasts and that they might have a greater love and reverence for their free institutions, which were purchased for them by the wisdom and heroism of their ancestors. So do y nll meet here in the Church of Gud to re vive in your souls the love of religion and of fatherland, by recalling to y] )Ur minds that great even t by which year ancestors passed from ido 1 a try to the worship of the true God; from barbarism to civilization, and from the state of slavery to enjoy the glorious liberty 0 f the children of God.” “On this day, wherever an Irishman lives, and where is he not to be found ’ and what land has he not penetrated' 7 for to him we can apply the words oi the Latin poet: Quanam regis in terns nostre non plena laboris. What land on earth has not enjoyed the fruits of our labor ? Whether under the burniurr aun of the tropics, or amid the snows of the arctic region: whether in Australia or America; on the shores of the Atlantic or Pacific—on this day he thinks of Aild lang syne; to his native land he savs with heartfelt emotion, ‘Where’er I roam, what ever laud I see, My heart will fondly turn to thee.’ Like the children of Israel exile 1 lVb , their native home, Jerusalem, who sat by the rivers of Babylon aud wept, when they remembered Sion; so do you revisit in spirit to-day the land of your child hood, the home of your fathers; you run and gambol through the daisied fields, over the green hills and down the valleys of your native soil. Or, perhaps, y,,u tread with reverent step the venerable graveyard; you stand by the cross which mark the spot where lie the remains of your father and mother, while you offer tears of gratitude to their memory and a prayer for their immortal souls. “Having dwelt some time on the early history of St. Patrick and the conversion of the Island by his apostolic labors, the Right Reverend Prelate spoke at consul erable length on three important features connected with this event. Ireland was converted with unprecedented rapidity; it was converted without bloodshed; and the faith once planted in the hearts of her people was never uprooted, hut has remained to this day as fresh and vigor ous as the ever green hills of their na tive soil. Ireland has carved for her self not only the title of ‘lsland of Saints,’ on account of the splendor of her reli gious institutions and the sanctity oi their inmates, but also that of Island of learned men, owing to the literary at tainments of her children. “During the the sth, 6th, 7th and Bth centuries, Europe was devastated by hordes of Barbarians who rushed like a torrent from the North, carrying with them ruin and desolation. The Goths and Vandals invaded Italy; the Saracens overrun Spain; the Saxons took posses sion of Great Britain, routing the natives. During these disorders and revolutions literature was dormant; religion was more or less neglected. *lnter anna silent leges .’ During war the laws and litera ture are set aside. Meantime Ireland was in the enjoyment of comparative peace, and devoted herself to sciences. While the sons of Europe and Britain buckled on their sword, her sons wielded the pen, and the pen is mightier than the sword. The consequence was that hun dreds of young men flocked from a.. parts of Europe te Ireland, to be edu cated in the sciences then taugb- Among these students was Allred u.e Great, of England, the father of EngiiJ liberty; and if England glories to--a) “ her British Constitution, as well she mav (though I think Ireland lias somereas.-n to complain of the manner in which t. > constitution was applied to her.) an- the United States boast of their coDs-nu tion, which is to a great extent borrmn from that of England, 1 leave pu ’ imagine how much both of these eon tries are indebted to Ireland, since R j v “ in Ireland that Alfred drank n - fountain where he imbibed - of religion and of civil liberty “lreland while educating the .' the rich, welcomed also to her.- the children of the po >r. _ “Venerable Bede informs us . scholars were not only educated r r ously in Ireland, hue they were ai plied with books and board net expense. “But Irish Saints and scholar not content with fanning the ll' inlL “ ' ‘ ligion and knowledge in their try; they also carried the torch p r and of faith to the most distam i’y Europe. Irish scholars 1 •, ~v ; a. mous Universities of Paris aua ■ 4 , t • , . • j * y , found on tu Irish missionaries cornu oe a • . banks of the Danube, and 0:1 eD . nines; they spread the jjp s Pj- ~. mark, Sweden, Norway, \, r | ta p. land, the low countries and m t; i My heart sickens as I coat* mp history of your country ,j er century, when the heel oi
