A Mightly Cloud is Coming From the West
"Let it, however, be granted that what I have now said
may in the eyes of severe critics be regarded as beside the
subject. I will now return to the main point at issue, as they
state it. It was this: 'If the circumstances are the same now
as at the time when you made alliance with the Aetolians, then
your policy ought to remain on the same lines.' That was
their first proposition. 'But if they have been entirely changed,
then it is fair that you should now deliberate on the demands
made to you as on a matter entirely new and unprejudiced.'
I ask you therefore, Cleonicus and Chlaeneas, who were your
allies on the former occasion when you invited this people to
join you? Were they not all the Greeks? But with whom
are you now united, or to what kind of federation are
you now inviting this people? Is it not to one with the
foreigner? A mighty similarity exists, no doubt, in your
minds, and no diversity at all! Then you were contending for
glory and supremacy with Achaeans and Macedonians, men of
kindred blood with yourselves, and with Philip their leader;
now a war of slavery is threatening Greece against men of
another race, whom you think to bring against Philip, but
have really unconsciously brought against yourselves and all
Greece. For just as men in the stress of war, by introducing into their cities garrisons superior in strength to their own
forces, while successfully repelling all danger from the enemy,
put themselves at the mercy of their friends,—just so are the
Aetolians acting in the present case. For in their desire to
conquer Philip and humble Macedonia, they have unconsciously brought such a mighty cloud from the west, as for the
present perhaps will overshadow Macedonia first, but which in
the sequel will be the origin of heavy evils to all Greece.
