charges; but if you will consider it, you will find them amply
established in this unmeasured censure of the present posture of
affairs, and his persistent opposition to us, his colleagues, if ever
we seek to get rid of any of these demagogues. Had this been his
guiding principle of action from the beginning, in spite of hostility,
at least he would have escaped all imputation of villainy. Why, this
is the very man who originated our friendly and confidential relations
with Lacedaemon. This is the very man who authorised the abolition of
the democracy, who urged us on to inflict punishment on the earliest
batch of prisoners brought before us. But to-day all is changed; now
you and we are out of odour with the people, and he accordingly has
ceased to be pleased with our proceedings. The explanation is obvious.
In case of a catastrophe, how much pleasanter for him once again to
light upon his legs, and leave us to render account for our past
performances.

"I contend that this man is fairly entitled to render his account
also, not only as an ordinary enemy, but as a traitor to yourselves
and us. And let us add, not only is treason more formidable than open
war, in proportion as it is harder to guard against a hidden assassin
than an open foe, but it bears the impress of a more enduring
hostility, inasmuch as men fight their enemies and come to terms with
them again and are fast friends; but whoever heard of reconciliation
with a traitor? There he stands unmasked; he has forfeited our
confidence for evermore. But to show you that these are no new tactics
of his, to prove to you that he is a traitor in grain, I will recall
to your memories some points in his past history.

"He began by being held in high honour by the democracy; but taking a
leaf out of his father's, Hagnon's, book, he next showed a most