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12.
However, let us say no more of what is past Are we still to allow any farther
delay while the ambassadors are on their road to him? and while they are coming
back again? and the time spent in waiting for them will make men doubt about the
war. And while the fact of the war is in doubt, how can men possibly be zealous
about the levies for the army?
Wherefore, O conscript fathers, I give my vote that there should be no mention
made of ambassadors. I think that the business that is to be done must be done
without any delay and instantly. I say that it is necessary that we should
decree that there is sedition abroad, that we should suspend the regular courts
of justice, order all men to wear the garb of war, and enlist men in all
quarters suspending all exemptions from military service in the city and in all
Italy except in Gaul.
[32]
And
if this be done, the general opinion and report of your severity will overwhelm
the insanity of that wicked gladiator. He will feel that he has undertaken a war
against the republic; he will experience the sinews and vigor of a unanimous
senate. For at present he is constantly saying that it is a mere struggle
between parties. Between what parties? One party is defeated, the other is the
heart of Caius Caesar's party. Unless, indeed we believe that the party of
Caesar is attacked by Pansa and Hirtius the consuls and by Caius Caesar's son.
But this war has been kindled not by a struggle between parties, but by the
nefarious hopes of the most abandoned citizens; by whom all our estates and
properties had been marked down, and already distributed according as every one
has thought them desirable.
[33]
I have read the letter of Antonius which he sent to one of the septemviri, a thorough-paced scoundrel, a. colleague of his own.
“Look out, and see what you take a fancy to; what you do fancy you
shall certainly have.” See to what a man we are sending ambassadors;
against what a man we are delaying to make war; a man who does not even let us
draw lots for our fortunes, but hands us over to each man's caprice in such a
way, that he has not left even himself any thing untouched, or which has not
been promised to somebody. With this man, O conscript fathers, we must wage
war,—war, I say, and that instantly. We must reject the slow
proceedings of ambassadors.
[34]
Therefore, that we may not have a number of decrees to pass every day, I give my
vote that the whole republic should be committed to the consuls; and that they
should have a charge given them to defend the republic, and to take care
“that the republic suffer no injury.” And I give my vote
that those men who are in the army of Antonius be not visited with blame, if
they leave him before the first of February.
If you adopt these proposals or mine, O conscript fathers, you will in a short
time recover the liberty of the Roman people and your own authority. But if you
act with more mildness, still you will pass those resolutions, but perhaps you
will pass them too late. As to the general welfare of the republic, on which
you, O consuls, have consulted us, I think that I have proposed what is
sufficient.
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