[12]
Of
a truth, the tribune of the people is very much devoted to the interests of the
people,—is a guardian and defender of its privileges and liberties! The Porcian law
forbade a rod to be laid on the person of any Roman citizen. This merciful man has brought
back the scourge. The Porcian law protected the freedom of the citizens against the lictor.
Labienus, that friend of the people, has handed them over to the executioner. Caius Gracchus
passed a law that no trial should take place affecting the life of a Roman citizen without
your orders. This friend of the people has compelled the duumvirs (without any order of yours
being issued on the subject) not only to try a Roman citizen, but to condemn a Roman citizen
to death without hearing him in his own defence.
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