Page:History of Greece Vol VII.djvu/205

187 SI'EKCfl OF ATUENAGOKAS. 18? rich are the persona best fitted to command. But I affirm, first, that the people are the sum total, and the oligarchy merely a fraction ; next, that rich men are the best trustees of the aggre- gate wealth existing in the community, intelligent men, the best counsellors, and the multitude, the best qualified for hear- ing and deciding after such advice. In a democracy, these functions, one and all, find their proper place. But oligarchy, though imposing on the multitude a full participation in all hazards, is not content even with an exorbitant share in the public advantages, but grasps and monopolizes the whole for itself. 1 This is just what you young and powerful men are aiming at, though you will never be able to keep it permanently in a city such as Syracuse. Be taught by me, or at least alter your views, and devote yourselves to the public advantage of our common city. Desist from practising, by reports such as these, upon the belief of men who know you too well to be duped. If even there be any truth in what you say, and if the Athenians do come, our city will repel them in a manner worthy of her reputation. She will not take you at your word, and choose you commanders, in order to put the yoke upon her own neck. She will look for herself, construe your communications for what they really mean, and, instead of suffering you to talk her out of her free government, will take effective precautions for main- taining it against you." Immediately after this veuement speech from Athenagoras, one of the strategi who presided in the assembly interposed; permitting no one else to speak, and abruptly closing the assem- bly, with these few words : " We generals deprecate this inter- change of personal vituperation, and trust that the hearers present will not suffer themselves to be biased by it. Let us rather take care, in reference to the reports just communicated, individually taken ; moreover, he is perpetually raising unjust pretensions to political power, so that it becomes necessary to define how much he is really entitled to. 1 Thucycl. vi, 39. 'OMyapx'ia Je TUV fj.lv itivdvvcjv rotf 6uai, ruv 6' u^>EA.ifiuv ov TtTiEOvt <ri ftovov, u^.Tia KO.I ^vtiTrav u i) ft Civ ol TE 6vvu.fj.evoi KOI oi veoi irpo -dv/i o v v rat, udiivara tv /a yahy TTO^CL