Cur enim, si rem publicam egere libertate senatoria crederet, tam levia consectaretur? Quin de bello aut pace, de vectigalibus et legibus, quibusque aliis res Romana contineretur, suaderet dissuaderetve? Licere patribus, quotiens ius dicendae sententiae accepissent, quae vellent expromere relationemque in ea postulare.
Why, it was demanded, if he believed senatorial freedom a necessity to the state, did he fasten on such frivolities? Why not reserve his suasion or dissuasion for the themes of war or peace, of finance and law, and for the other matters on which hinged the welfare of Rome? Every member, each time that he received the privilege of recording his opinion, was free to express what views he desired and to demand a debate.
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