ARGENTINA: Classical Precedents

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With the facile ease of a lyceum lecturer, Evita Perón delved into the ancient authors. Never before had she displayed such erudition; never before had her followers heard quotes from the great batted about so airily.

In three speeches last week Evita quoted Napoleon once and Alexander the Great twice; she referred glibly to such obscure personages as Parmenio and Perdiccas (two of Alexander's generals), then casually brought Diogenes into the act.

"Napoleon rightly said that geniuses are like meteors which burn themselves to cast their light upon a century," Eva declaimed to an assembly of railway workers. "That's what Perón does."

Then the glittering first lady turned to a delegation which had brought a gift to her Social Aid Foundation: "After Alexander had shared all his riches and honors among his generals, Perdiccas asked him: 'What are you going to keep for yourself?' Alexander replied: 'Only my hope.'" Said Evita, with becoming modesty: "Like Alexander, I want to keep for myself nothing but a hope."

Next day, before a mass meeting celebrating the second anniversary of the purchase of the national railways from Great Britain, the inspired Evita turned again to Alexander. This time she recalled an occasion when the Macedonian hero was facing a horde of Persians and was sagely advised by General Parmenio to attack by night, since his forces were weak. "If I were Parmenio, I would do so," cried the conqueror, "but Alexander never conceals his victories!"

Added Evita: "And Perón never conceals his victories, because his victories consist in seeing all Argentines happy. We have the privilege in Argentina of having found what Diogenes searched for—a man!" No one in the audience saw fit to remind Evita of what Diogenes was really looking for—an honest man.