them in
one manner, and execute them in another. They set out with a great
appearance of activity, humility, and moderation; and they quickly fall
into sloth, pride, and avarice.--It is undoubtedly, no easy matter to
discharge, to the general satisfaction, the duty of a supreme commander
in troublesome times. I am, I hope, duly sensible of the importance of
the office I propose to take upon me, for the service of my country. To
carry on, with effect, an expensive war, and yet be frugal of the public
money; to oblige those to serve, whom it may be delicate to offend; to
conduct, at the same time, a complicated variety of operations; to
concert measures at home, answerable to the state of things abroad; and
to gain every valuable end, in spite of opposition from the envious, the
factious, and the disaffected; to do all this, my countrymen, is more
difficult than is generally thought.

But, besides the disadvantages which are common to me, with all others
in eminent stations, my case is, in this respect, peculiarly hard; that
whereas a commander of Patrician rank, if he is guilty of a neglect, or
breach of duty, has his great connection, the antiquity of his family,
the important services of his ancestors, and the multitudes he has, by
power, engaged in his interest, to screen him from condign punishment;
my whole safety depends upon myself; which renders it the more
indispensibly necessary for me, to take care that my conduct be clear
and unexceptionable. Besides, I am well aware, my country men, that the
eye of the public is upon me; and that, though the impartial, who prefer
the real advantage of the commonwealth to all other considerations,
favour my pretensions, the Patricians want nothing so much as an
occasion against me. It is, therefore, my fixed resolution, to use my
best endeavours, that you may not be disappointed in me, and that their
indirect designs against me may be defeated.

I have, from my youth, been familiar with toils, and with dangers. I was
faithful to your interests, my countrymen, when I served you for no
reward, but that of honour. It is not my design to betray you, now that
you have conferred upon me a place of profit. You have committed to my
conduct, the war against Jugurtha. The Patricians are offended at this.
But, where would be the wisdom of giving such a command to one of their
honourable body? a person of illustrious birth, of ancient family, of
innumerable statues, but--of no experienc