What is the SYNONYM of the word PECULIAR? T^T

"as one of our outstanding historical figures once said, ‘when a great democracy is destroyed, it will not be because of enemies from without but rather because of enemies from within.’" (paragraph 7) how does this quote reveal mccarthy’s point of view and advance the purpose of his speech?

Which description provides the best objective summary of the article in the passage?

That rolled gracefully toward the shore