For the Good of the Republic.

Today we are presented with a most contentious matter. Yes, the leader of our state has been removed from office indefinitely. At this time, we must reflect on the actions of this man to decide what is to be done concerning his corpse. The answer would be clear had Julius Caesar behaved as a true Roman and acted only out of the interest of the Republic. However, the mere fact that his life had to be taken by old friends, not even his enemies, was basis enough to question any claim to honor or glory he might be afforded. How can one proclaim that it was previous enemies who took his life when his closest friend Marcus Junius Brutus was among them? Dear Brutus who was later to gain from Caesar's reign. Was it not Brutus who Caesar himself had appointed consul for a term to be held three years from hence? Was it not Brutus who was entrusted with Caesar's estate in the event that harm should befall Gaius Octavius?
We must also remember that Brutus was not alone. Present also were Decimus Brutus, Gaius Trebonius, and Publius Casca. Julius Caesar valued greatly the friendship and loyalty of all three men who fought faithfully for him during the civil war. Yet they also shared the sentiments of Brutus and the need for the cleansing of tyranny from Rome. It was Decimus Brutus who convinced Caesar to come to the senate on the ides. What harm was there in attending the Senate with an old friend? It was Gaius Trebonius who engaged and delayed Antony outside the Theater of Pompey while the tyrant met his end. And it was Publius Casca, the old family friend, who dealt the first blow. Clearly these men were no enemies of Caesar and was guided only by a concern for Rome and the Republic.
Caesar was ever proclaiming his concern for the Republic, yet what measures did he take in its restoration? He was not fit for the office he held. A dictator is an office clearly outlined which is only to be held in time of emergency. Was there a time of emergency? There is no question. Caesar created his own by defying Rome and crossing the Rubicon. We empowered him and trusted him to resolve the turmoil in the Republic. How did he repay our trust? He did not. Rather than fix the problems at hand, he chose to expand the empire. If we were already so unable to govern ourselves properly to the point of needing a dictator, how is the problem solved by abandoning the governing body and adding more territory that also needs governing? Do not mistake my sentiments. I am a proud Roman and want the world to know of the glory of Rome as well. But the place of the dictator is in Rome resolving the conflict that initially required his appointment. Thus “dictator” was a title we bestowed upon him out of fear and denial. We did not want to believe him a tyrant. Some of us knew. Yet we did not listen. We did not listen when wise Cato took his own life in protest. Surely, we lied to ourselves, Caesar would do some good for Rome.
While inadequate as a dictator, Caesar was an outstanding military leader, until he overstepped his bounds which caused the true Romans to stand up and defend Rome. Last month, he was declared dictator for life. How then, can the Republic be restored in its traditional and rightful form with a dictator? It cannot. Therefore, the dictator must be removed. Caesar caused his own death. He should have known that those truly faithful to the Republic would do anything necessary to do what is right for Rome. Even if this means losing a great friend. Even if yours must be the hand that wields the knife.
It was evident from the beginning that Caesar wanted only glory for himself. Even when he had placed himself in the highest governing office of Rome, he continued his military campaigns to glorify his name and further fatten his already bulging purse. Why should we honor this tyrant? The answer is simple: we should not. He is no more than a criminal and enemy of Rome and proclaimed himself one when he took his first step across the Rubicon. What precedence would this set? We honor a man who storms in and takes our blessed Republic? Who would like to wager a guess at how long we would have before another Caesar comes marching across the Rubicon? Or perhaps they already have forces within our city walls. What will we do if we do not have liberators next time? Caesar should not be honored for making a mockery of Rome.