Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

LESSONS FROM HISTORY.

They may be used for amusement if not for instruction.

When the Athenian republic had attained its summit, the people puffed up with conceit of their power and drunk with prosperity employed their heated imaginations with the fascinating conversation of foreign conquests. It was the delightful subject of conversation in the markets, the streets and their fire-sides--every shop had a hot brained politician. The conquest of Syracuse was certain and would open the way to more distant and splendid acquisitions.

Pericles, who was a soldier, a statesman and orator of the first order, possessing the whole circle of talents, thought that in the circumstances of his state it would be his best policy to forbear hazardous enterprises to acquire more, and to confine the views to the improvement and affirming what they already possessed. He exerted his talents and credit not much short of absolute authority, to stay the current of popular opinion and he kept off the Syracusian war during his life.

But Alcibiades, a demagogue of great talents and boundless ambition, availed himself of the people's phrenzy as his stepping stone to power--and the war was resolved on, with more unanimity perhaps than any offensive war was ever entered on in the world and with the best provisions-to insure success. Nothing was neglected-The success was not answerable-The fatal war exhausted the men and means of the Athenians and their power was sunk to the bottom in the harbor of Syracuse. The few Athenians who remained of the first expedition and of powerful reinforcements were sold for slaves.

Phocion who was elected forty-five times, general and commanded the Athenian army at the advanced age of about 80 always chosen in his absence and without any previous solicitations and still more glorious -his admirable virtues had procured him the appellation of the Good of whom the historian remarks "we shall see nothing from henceforth comparable to him in the Grecian history. " This soldier, this statesman, this disinterested man, so near approaching divinity, with his experience made it one of the great principles of his politics that peace ought always to be the aim of every wise government, and with this view he was a constant opposer of ill wars that were either imprudent or unnecessary.

He was even apprehensive of those most just and expedient--because he was sensible, that any war weakened and impoverished a state, even amidst a series of the greatest victories, and that whatever the advantage might be in the commencement, there was never a certainty of terminating it, without experiencing the most tragical vicissitudes of fortune"

well might Phocion lay down his great principle from what befell his country from the popular war above mentioned as well as one he unsuccessfully opposed in his own time.

The names of those who have been celebrated for great virtues or great actions as Lucius or Phocion for instances ought to be sparingly conferred or assumed--Names do not confer qualities and in very many instances the name only serves to heighten vice and deformity by giving more light to contrast.

PHOCION.