14 On Party~Prejudice. 
of patriotism was the stalking horse, which had 
concealed his destructive machinations against the 
safety of the republic. The discovery was made at 
too late a period; as he finally triumphed over their 
credulity, and the liberties of his country. 
Catiline was ambitious like Cesar: yet he failed 
in his attempts to subvert the constitution. To 
ambition, he joined avarice, profligacy, and unblush- 
ing villany. He endeavoured to involve, in one 
extended scene of ruin, all that were illustrious in 
Rome for talents, virtue, and patriotism. _ He soon 
became the chief of a party; but this party was 
composed of the needy, the profligate, and the. 
guilty: Postremo omnes, quos flagitiwm, egestas 
conscius animus exagitabat, Catiline proximt famili- 
aresque erant.* This detestable conspiracy was 
detected by the superior vigilance and sagacity of 
Cicero; and finally overwhelmed, by the united ef- 
forts of the brave and virtuous defenders of the 
commonwealth. 
Catiline and Cesar both aimed at the destruction 
of the liberties of their country; but they differed 
materially in the means to accomplish that end. 
Catiline, by availing himself of the ready assistance 
_ of the wicked and necessitous, openly attempted 
the subversion of the government. He was oppos- 
ed and defeated. Cesar allured to his party the 
* Sallust. Bell, Catilinar. 
