arrived with the news that the army of Spain have with one voice
acclaimed the young Hannibal as their general, and that they demand
the ratification of their choice by the senate and people. Need
I tell you how important it is that this ratification should be
gained? Hanno and his satellites are furious, they are scattering
money broadcast, and moving heaven and earth to prevent the choice
falling upon Hannibal, and to secure the appointment for Hanno
himself or one of his clique. They say that to appoint a youth
like this to such a position would be a thing unheard of, that
it would bring countless dangers upon the head of the republic.
We know, of course, that what they fear is not the youth and
inexperience, but the talent and genius of Hannibal.

"Young though he is, his wonderful abilities are recognized by
us all. His father, Hamilcar, had the very highest hopes of him,
Hasdrubal has written again and again saying that in his young
kinsman he recognized his superior, and that in loftiness of aim, in
unselfish patriotism, in clearness of judgment, in the marvellous
ascendency he has gained over the troops, in his talent in
administration, and in the greatness of his military conceptions,
he saw in him a genius of the highest order. If it be in man to
overthrow the rising greatness of Rome, to reform our disordered
administration, to raise Carthage again to the climax of her glory
and power, that man is Hannibal.

"Thus, then, on him our hopes rest. If we can secure for him the
command of the army in Spain, he may do all and more than all
that Hamilcar and Hasdrubal have done for us. If we fail, we are
lost; Hanno will be supreme, the official party will triumph, man
by man we shall be denounced and, destroyed by the judges, and,