k sufficiently, and can earn their living, it
matters not very greatly to them whether Carthage is great and glorious,
or humbled and defeated. But this will not always be so. When we have
succeeded in ridding Carthage of her tyrants we must next do all we can
so to raise the condition of the common people that they may feel that
they too have a common interest in the fate of our country. I should
not, of course, propose giving to them a vote; to bestow the suffrage
upon the ignorant, who would simply follow the demagogues who would use
them as tools, would be the height of madness. The affairs of state, the
government of the country, the making of the laws, must be solely in
the hands of those fitted for the task--of the men who, by education,
by birth, by position, by study and by leisure have prepared their minds
for such a charge. But the people should share in the advantages of
a good government; they should not be taxed more than they could
reasonably pay, and any tax gatherers who should extort a penny beyond
the legal amount should be disgraced and punished.

"The courts should be open to all, the judges should be impartial and
incorruptible; every man should have his rights and his privileges, then
each man, feeling an interest in the stability of the state, would
be ready to bear arms in its defence, and Carthage, instead of being
dependent entirely upon her tributaries and mercenaries, would be able
to place a great army in the field by her own unaided exertions.

"The barbarian tribes would cease to revolt, knowing that success would
be hopeless. And as we should be strong at home we should be respected
abroad, and might view without apprehension the rising power of Rome.
There is plenty of room for both of us. For us, Africa and Spain; for
her all the rest of Europe and as much of Asia as she cares to take. We
could look without jealousy at each other's greatness, each secure in
his own strength and power. Yes, there may be a grand future before
Carthage yet."

The meeting now broke up.

"Where are you going, Malchus?" Giscon asked the lad as they went out
into the courtyard; "to see the sacrifices? You know there is a grand
function today to propitiate Moloch and to pray for victory for our
arms."

"No," Malchus said with a shudder. "I don't think I am a coward, Giscon,
but these terrible rites frighten me. I was taken once by my father, and
I then swore that never again, unless it be absolutely neces