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PROMISE OF UNIVERSAL AUTONOMY. 11 cian political life. The grand idea represented by it, of collec- tive self-determining Hellenism, was left to dwell in the bosoma of individual patriots. If we look at the convention of Antalkidas apart from its form and warranty, and with reference to its substance, we shall find that though its first article was unequivocally disgraceful, its last was at least popular as a promise to the ear. Universal autonomy, to each city, small or great, was dear to Grecian political instinct. I have already remarked more than once that the exaggerated force of this desire was the chief cause of the short duration of Grecian freedom. Absorbing all the powers of life to the sepa- rate parts, it left no vital force or integrity to the whole ; especially, it robbed both each and all of the power of self-defence against foreign assailants. Though indispensable up to a certain point and under certain modifications, yet beyond these modifications, which Grecian political instinct was far from recognizing, it pro- duced a great preponderance of mischief. Although, therefore, this item of the convention was in its promise acceptable and pop- ular, a nd although we shall find it hereafter invoked as a pro- tection in various individual cases of injustice, we must inquire how it was carried into execution, before we can pronounce whether it was good or evil, the present of a friend or of an enemy. The succeeding pages will furnish an answer to this inquiry. The Lacedaemonians, as " presidents (guarantees or executors) of the peace, sent down by the king," ' undertook the duty of execu- tion ; and AVC shall see that from the beginning they meant noth- ing sincerely. They did not even attempt any sincere and steady compliance with the honest, though undistinguishing, political in- stinct of the Greek mind ; much less did they seek to grant as much as was really good, and to withhold the remainder. They defined autonomy in such manner, and meted it out in such por- tions, as suited their own political interests and purposes. The 1 Xen. Hellen. v, 1, 36. 'Ev 6e TGJ TTo'kefj.tf) fj.u^ov uvTif>p6nuf role kvavrloiq nparTovref oi AaKedat TroAt) tTrncvdeor spot kyevovro kit rrjq CTT' ' ' kvrakul&ov KaXovjjLEvrif Trpoararai ytif -yevofievot, ryq VKO (3acft- Karon U(f>-& ela?] f elpqvTif not rrjv airovopiav Ta , etc.