Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/415

RESOLUTION OF THE ALLIED STOOD. 389 alliance with Philip, coincided in part with the resolution of the synod. 1 1 I insert in the text what appears to me the probable truth about thi* resolution of the confederate synod. The point is obscure, and has been differently viewed by different commentators. Demosthenes affirms, in his earlier speech (De Fals. Leg. p. 346), that JEschines held disgraceful language in his speech before the public assem- bly on the 19th Elaphebolion (to the effect that Athens ought to act for herself alone, and to take no thought for any other Greeks except such as had assisted her) ; and that, too. in the presence and hearing of those en- voys from other Grecian cities, whom the Athenians had sent for at tho instigation of JEschines himself. The presence of these envoys in the assembly, here implied, is not the main charge, but a collateral aggrava- tion; nevertheless, JEschines (as is often the case throughout his defence) bestows nearly all his care upon the aggravation, taking comparatively little notice of the main charge. He asserts with great emphasis (Fals. Leg. p. 35). that the envoys sent out from Athens on mission had not re- turned, and that there were no envoys present from any Grecian cities. It seems to me reasonable here to believe the assertion of Demosthenes, that there were envoys from other Grecian cities present; although he him- self in his later oration (De Corona, p. 232, 233) speaks as if such were not the fact, as if all the Greeks had been long found out as recreants in the cause of liberty, and as if no envoys from Athens were then absent on mission. I accept the positive assertion of JEsehines as true that there were Athenian envoys then absent on mission, who might possibly, on their returt, bring in with them deputies from other Greeks ; but I do not admit his negative assertion that no Athenian envoys had returned from their mission, and that no deputies had come in from other Greeks. That among many Athenian envoys sent out, all should fail appears to mo very improbable. If we follow the argument of JEschines (in the speech De Fals. Leg.), we shall see that it is quite enough if we suppose some of the envoys sent out on mission, and not all of them, to be absent. To prove this fact, ho adduces (p. 35, 36) the resolution of the confederate synod, alluding to the absent envoys, and recommending a certain course to be taken after their return. This does not necessarily imply that all were absent. Stechow remarks justly, that some of ths envoys would necessarily be out a long time, having to visit more than one city, and perhaps cities distant from each other (Vita JEschinis, p. 41). I also accept what JEschines says about the resolution of the confederate synod, as being substantially true. About the actual import of this reso- lution, he is consistent with himself, both in the earlier and in the later oration. Winiewski (Comment. Historic, in Demosth. De Corona, p. 74- 77) and "Westermann (De Litibus quas Demosthenes oravit ipse, p. 38-42) nffirra, I think without roason, that the import of this resolution is differ 83*