The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

councils toward a friendly connection with
Macedon, has been already noticed. In the war
between the Romans and Philip, however, the
Achaians were persuaded to join with the former, a
step which Polybius describes as absolutely
necessary for their safety; whether it were
altogether equally honorable we have hardly the
means of deciding. But their new connection,
whatever may be thought of its origin, was ever
afterward faithfully observed, insomuch that the
Romans, though sufficiently adroit in finding
matter of complaint, when they were disposed to
do so, and though offended by the free and
independent tone which the Achaian government
always maintained toward them, could yet obtain
no tolerable pretext for attacking them. There was,
however, a traitor among the Achaians, named
Calicrates, who, jealous of the popularity of the
ruling party in the councils of his country,
endeavored to supplant them through the influence
of Rome; and to ingratiate himself with the senate
by representing his opponents as despisers of the
Roman authority, which he and his friends vainly
endeavored to uphold. After the Macedonian war,
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