Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-11-06
A SPEECH FOR ALL TINE.

Our attention has been called says the Fayetteville
Observer to speech delivered by the Roman Consul
Paulus Emilius, in the year a. N. 1886, little
more than two thousand years ago, which the His
pincotts Library edition) 1t is admirably ap-
propriate to the present time, when We have so
many generals who stay at home and advise Lee,
and Beauregard, and Johnston, as to the best mode
for conducting their campaghs that We are tempted
to copy the speech entire. 1t is not equal in length
to stump or congressional speech of the present
day, but is rather superior in quality to most of
them. The speaker had just been chosen Consul,
with special reference to his taking the command in
the existing war with the Macedonans, and the
following may be called his " Inaugural Speech" =
"You seem to me, Romans, to have expressed
more Joy when Macedonia fell to my lot, than when
was elected consul, entered upon that office !;
and to me your Joy seemed to he oc -asoned by the
hopes you conceived, that l should put an end,
worthy of the grandeur and reputation of the Roman
people, to war; which, in your opinion has already
been of too long continuance. have reason to be-
leve that the gods, who have occasioned Mace
donna to fall to my lot, will also assist me with their
protection in conducting and terminating this war
successfully; but of this l may venture to assure
you, that shall do my utmost not to fall short of
your expectations. The senate has wisely regulated
every thing necessary in the expedition am charg-
ed with, and as am ordered to set ont Immediately
| shall make no delay ana know that my coca-
gue c. Licinius out of his great zeal for the public
service will raise and march off the troops appoint
cd for me- with as much ardour and expedition as
if they were for himself l shall take care to remit
to you, as we'll to the senate an exact account of
all that passes; and you may rely upon the certain
ty and truth of my letters; but beg Of you, as
great favour that you will not give credit to- lay
any weight, out Of creduty, upon the light reports
which are frequently spread abroad without any
foundation perceive well, that in this war, more
than any other, whatever resolution people may
form to obviate these runors they will not fail to
make impression, and inspire l know not what dis
couragement. There are those who, in company,
and even at table, command armies, make DISPOSE
tons, and prescribe all the operations Of the cam.
pagn. They know better than We where we should
encamp, and what posts it is necessary for us to
seize; at what time, and by what defle, We ought
to enter Macedonia where it is proper to have mag
azines; from whence either BY sea or land, we are
to bring provisions, when to fight the enemy,
and when lie still. They not only prescribe what
is best to do, but for devating no little from
their plans. they make it crime in their consul,
and cite him before their tribunal But know. Ro.
mans, the effect Of this is very preudicial to your
generals All have not the resolution and constancy
Of Fabius, to despise impairment reports He could
choose rather to suffer the people, upon such un.
happy rumors to invade his authority, than to ruin