[12]
It is no unimportant case, it is no insignificant injury that is concealed
under this expression, O Romans. For there were many estates confiscated by the Cornelian law, which were never assigned or sold to any one,
but which are occupied in the most impudent manner by a few men, These are the men for whom
he provides, these are the men whom he defends, whom he makes private proprietors. These
lands, I say, which Sulla gave to no one, Rullus does not choose to assign to you, but to
sacrifice to the men who are in occupation of them. I ask the reason why you should allow
those lands in Italy, in Sicily, in the two Spains, in Macedonia, and Asia, which your
ancestors acquired for you, to be sold, when you see those lands which are your own
sacrificed by the same law to their existing occupiers?
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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