5.3
Whilst indulging in
declamations of this sort, they found an opponent
who was quite a match for them in Appius Claudius.
He had from early manhood taken his part in the
contests with the plebs, and as stated above, had
some years previously recommended the senate to
break down the power of the tribunes by securing the
intervention of their colleagues. He was not only a
man of ready and versatile mind, but by this time an
experienced debater. He delivered the following
speech on this occasion: -"If, Quirites, there has
ever been any doubt as to whether it was in your
interest or their own that the tribunes have always
been the advocates of sedition, I feel quite certain
that this year all doubt has ceased to exist. Whilst
I rejoice that an end has at last been put to a
long-standing delusion, I congratulate you, and on
your behalf the whole State, that its removal has
been effected just at the time when your
circumstances are most prosperous. Is there any one
who doubts that whatever wrongs you may have at any
time suffered, they never annoyed and provoked the
tribunes so much as the generous treatment of the
plebs by the senate, in establishing the system of
pay for the soldiers? What else do you suppose it
was that they were afraid of at that time, and would
today gladly upset, except the harmony of the two
orders, which they look upon as most of all
calculated to destroy their power? They are, really,
like so many quack doctors looking for work, always
anxious to find some diseased spot in the republic
that there may be something which you can call them
in to cure." Then, turning to the tribunes, "Are you
defending or attacking the plebs? Are you trying to
injure the men on service or are you pleading their
cause? Or perhaps this is what you are saying,
'Whatever the senate does, whether in the interest
of the plebs or against them, we object to.' Just as
masters forbid strangers to hold any communication
with their slaves, and think it right that they
should abstain from showing them either kindness or
unkindness, so you interdict the patricians from all
dealings with the plebs, lest we should appeal to
their feelings by our graciousness and generosity
and secure their loyalty and obedience. How much
more dutiful it would have been in you, if you had
had a spark -I will not say of patriotism, but -of
common humanity, to have viewed with favour, and as
far as in you lay, to have fostered the kindly
feelings of the patricians and the grateful goodwill
of the plebeians! And if this harmony should prove
to be lasting, who would not be bold enough to
guarantee that this empire will in a short time be
the greatest among the neighbouring States?