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15.
[38]
Who then are the veterans whom we are to be fearful of offending? Those who are
desirous to deliver Decimus Brutus from siege? for how can those men, to whom
the safety of Brutus is dear, hate the name of Cassius? Or those men who abstain
from taking arms on either side? I have no fear of any of those men who delight
in tranquillity becoming a mischievous citizen. But as for the third class, whom
I call not veteran soldiers, but infamous enemies, I wish to inflict on them the
most bitter pain. Although, O conscript fathers, how long are we to deliver our
opinions as it may please the veterans? why are we to yield so much to their
haughtiness? why are we to make their arrogance of such importance as to choose
our generals with reference to their pleasure?
[39]
But I (for I must speak, O conscript fathers, what I feel) think that we
ought not so much to regard the veterans, as to look at what the young soldiers,
the flower of Italy—at what
the new legions, most eager to effect the deliverance of their
country—at what all Italy will think of your wisdom. For there is
nothing which flourishes forever. Age succeeds age. The legions of Caesar have
flourished for a long time; but now those who are flourishing are the legions of
Pansa, and the legions of Hirtius, and the legions of the son of Caesar, and the
legions of Plancus. They surpass the veterans in number; they have the advantage
of youth; moreover, they surpass them also in authority. For they are engaged in
waging that war which is approved of by all nations. Therefore, rewards have
been promised to these latter. To the former they have been already
paid;—let them enjoy them. But let these others have those rewards
given to them which we have promised them.
[40]
For that is what I hope that the immortal gods will consider just.
And as this is the case, I give my vote for the proposition which I have made to
you, O conscript fathers, being adopted by you.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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