[279]
“Whereas,” says the old decree, “certain of them
are convicted of making untruthful reports to the Council.” Why, these
men are convicted of making untruthful reports even to the Assembly. On what
evidence?—you remember that brilliant quibble. On the evidence of
facts: the report was exactly contradicted by the event. It goes on:
“and of sending untruthful dispatches.” So did they.
“And of bearing false witness against allies, and of taking
bribes.” For “bearing false witness” read
“utterly destroying”—a vastly greater injury. But
as to their having taken bribes, we should still, if they denied it, have to
make the charge good; but since they admit it, surely there should have been a
summary arrest and punishment.1
Demosthenes. Demosthenes with an English translation by C. A. Vince, M. A. and J. H. Vince, M.A. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
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