Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/343

FIRST PHILIPPIC. 31 J Philippics. We note his warnings given at this early day, when timely prevention would have been easily practicable; and hi* superiority to elder politicians like Eubulus and Phokion, in pru- dent appreciation, in foresight, and in courage of speaking out un- palatable truths. More than twenty years after this period, when Athens had lost the game and was in her phase of humiliation, Demosthenes (in repelling the charges of those who imput ed her misfortune to his bad advice) measures the real extent to which a political statesman is properly responsible. The first of all things is " To see events in their beginnings to discern tendencies beforehand, and proclaim them beforehand to others to abridge as much as possible the rubs, impediments, jealousies, and tardy movements, inseparable from the march of a free city and to infuse among the citizens harmony, friendly feelings, and zeal for the performance of their duties."* The first Philip- pic is alone sufficient to prove, how justly Demosthenes lays claim to the merit of having " seen events in their beginnings" and given timely warning to his countrymen. It will also go to show, along with other proofs hereafter to be seen, that he was not less honest and judicious in his attempts to fulfil the remaining portion of the statesman's duty that of working up his countrymen to unani- mous and resolute enterprise ; to the pitch requisite not merely for speaking and voting, but for acting and suffering, against tho public enemy. We know neither the actual course, nor the concluding vote, of this debate, wherein Demosthenes took a part so unexpectedly prominent. But we know that neither of the two positive mea- sures which he recommends was carried into effect. The work- ing armament was not sent out, nor was the home-force, destined to be held in reserve for instant movement in case of emergency oval roif uirb TOVTUV iftavTy yEVTjaofjisvoif, o/j.uf ETTI rw ovvoiaeii vfuv, uv Trput-TjTe, TO.VTO. KEnslodai. T^KJELV alpovuai. 1 Demosthenes, De CoronA, p. 308. 8. 306. 'A/Ua pqv uv y' uv 6 firjrup vnsvdvvof slrj, iraatv k^eraaiv %.a[i!ave- ov tra.paiTovfi.ai. Tlva ovv earl ravra ; 'Idelv TU n-pa-yfj.ara upxofieva, Kal 7rpo<uen9e<7$a Kal irpoenrelv roi<; aXAftf . Tavra KEKpaKTai /J.QI. Kal ETI raf lKaara%ov (SpafivTijTac, oKVovf, uyvoiaz, <j>i%ovetKiaf, a, nohiriKa ralf Trofaai Trpoasariv amiaaie Kal avayKala tifiapT^fj.aTa, rati$' cif slf e/lu^ora ffvarsl^ai, Kal TOVVUVTI.OV sif 6fj.6voia9 it/it <j>Mav Kal TOV TO, 6cov~a TTOISIV ppfir/v T 27*