[36]
You say that Sulla was named by the Allobroges.—Who denies it? but read the
information, and see how he was named. They said that Lucius Cassius had said that, among
other men, Autronius was favourable to their designs. I ask, did Cassius say that Sulla was?
Never. They say that they themselves inquired of Cassius what Sulla's opinions were. Observe
the diligence of the Gauls. They, knowing nothing of the life or character of the man, but
only having heard that he and Autronius had met with one common disaster, asked whether his
inclinations were the same? what then? Even if Cassius had made answer that Sulla was of the
same opinion, and was favourable to their views, still it would not seem to me that that reply
ought to be made matter of accusation against him. How so? Because, as it was his object to
instigate the barbarians to war, it was no business of his to weaken their expectations, or to
acquit those men of whom they did entertain some suspicions.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 1856.
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