[223]
But there is a thing, which, even if Hortensius does not say it openly in defending
Verres, he still does say in such a manner that you may suspect and think that this
matter concerns the advantage of the senators; that it concerns the advantage of
those who are judges, and who think that they will some day or other be in the
provinces themselves as governors or as lieutenants. But you must think that we have
splendid judges, if you think them likely to show indulgence to the faults of
others, in order the more easily to be allowed to commit faults themselves. Do we
then wish the Roman people, do we wish the provinces, and our allies, and foreign
nations to think that, if senators are the judges, this particular manner of
extorting immense sums of money with the greatest injustice will never be in any way
chastised? But if that be the case, what can we say against that praetor who every
day occupies the senate, who insists upon it that the republic can not prosper, if
the office of judge is not restored to the equestrian order?
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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