Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/359

THEORIC FUND. 333 from Thrace into Attica of which the ruinous consequences were but too clear. 1 " I maintain (continued the orator) that you ought to lend aid at the present crisis in two ways ; by preserving for the Olynthians their confederated cities, through a body of troops sent out for that express purpose and by employing at the same time other troops and other triremes to act aggressively against Philip's own coast. If you neglect either of these measures, I fear that the expedition will fail. As to the pecuniary provision, you have al- ready more money than any other city, available for purposes of war ; if you will pay that money to soldiers on service, no need exists for farther provision if not, then need exists ; but above all things, money must be found. What then ! I shall be asked are you moving that the Theoric fund shall be devoted to war purposes ? Not I, by Zeus. I merely express my conviction, that soldiers must be equipped, and that receipt of public money, and performance of public service, ought to go hand in hand ; but your practice is to take the public money, without any such con- dition, for the festivals. Accordingly, nothing remains except that all should directly contribute ; much, if much is wanted little, if little will suffice. Money must be had ; without it, not a single essential step can be taken. There are moreover different ways and means suggested by others. Choose any one of these which you think advantageous ; and lay a vigorous grasp on events while the opportunity still lasts." 2 It was thus that Demosthenes addressed his countrymen some time after the Olynthians had been received as allies, but before any auxiliary force had been either sent to them or even positive- ly decreed yet when such postponement of action had inspired them with mistrust, threatening to throw them, even without re- sistance, into the hands of Philip and their own philippizing par ty. We observe in Demosthenes the same sagacious appreciation, both of the present and the future, as we have already remarked 1 Demosth. Olynth. i. p. 12, 13, 16 el 6e irpoT}a6fie-&a nai rovrovf rovf ivvpiJTrovf, elr 1 "Ohvv&ov ticelvoe KaTaaTphjjerai, ypaauru rif ipol^Tirb KU- "fivov ET' avrbv carat (3a6ietv OKOI /JoiAerai. rif ovruf etir/$)7f earlv vpuv bins uyvoei rbv SKEI lev irofauov tevo 'a, uv ufie7(.rjtjufjiev ; 1 Demosth. Olynth. i. p. 15.