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[16]
In the first place, then, I declare my
opinion that the acts of Caesar ought to be maintained: not that I approve of
them; (for who indeed can do that?) but because I think that we ought above all
things to have regard to peace and tranquillity. I wish that Antonius himself
were present, provided he had no advocates with him. But I suppose he may be
allowed to feel unwell, a privilege which he refused to allow me yesterday. He
would then explain to me, or rather to you, O conscript fathers, to what extent
he himself defended the acts of Caesar. Are all the acts of Caesar which may
exist in the bits of note-books, and memoranda, and loose papers, produced on
his single authority, and indeed not even produced, but only recited, to be
ratified? And shall the acts which he caused to be engraved on brass, in which
he declared that the edicts and laws passed by the people were valid for ever,
be considered as of no power?
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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