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THE SIXTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE SIXTH PHILIPPIC. ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE.
[26]
What
then?—whatever is accomplished by those means will be law. And you
will order, I suppose, all those regularly passed decrees to be engraved on
brazen tablets. “The consuls consulted the people in regular
form,” (Is this the way of consulting the people that we have received
from our ancestors?) “and the people voted it with due
regularity.” What people? that which was excluded from the forum?
Under what law did they do so? under that which has been wholly abrogated by
violence and arms? But I am saying all this with reference to the future;
because it is the part of a friend to point out evils which may be avoided: and
if they never ensue, that will be the best refutation of my speech. I am
speaking of laws which have been proposed; concerning which you have still full
power to decide either way. I am pointing out the defects; away with them I am
denouncing violence and arms; away with them too!
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