Compromise for the sake of the Republic

Fellow senators, I come before you a senator burdened. It is no secret that I have nothing but the deepest loathing for Caesar's tyranny. Were this the only fact weighing on my decision concerning the acta, my answer would be simple: burn the words of the filthy tyrant. However, as you all know, I do have great respect for Caesar and his victories as a military commander throughout his career. Unfortunately, he ceased to have my respect when he crossed the Rubicon. So, dear senators, I think you can see my dilemma.

To enact Caesar's acta in their entirety is out of the question, nay impossible. They call for already two appointments that cannot be filled. This would also effectively send the message to the people that we, the senate, condone Caesar's behavior in its entirety, which is not true of all of us. So thus blanket enacting the acta is not an option.

As of late, we have become a unified senate (with the exception of the fleeing coward and perhaps those who were close to that pathetic excuse for a triumvirate) and I do not wish to see that end. There are those among us who, for whatever reason, fully supported Caesar in all his actions. There are many senators wiser than I, yet they too disagree on this subject. Wise Hirtius, whom I clearly support and respect, as was shown by my recent actions, is still a faithful supporter of Caesar. Also wise beyond his fellows, my dear friend Cicero, who shares my distaste for Caesar's actions as dictator. Who, I ask you, is right? Even better, who can determine who is correct?

Regardless of this matter, we must also face the fact that we have been abiding by the acta in choosing Dolabella and now Aulus Hirtius as consuls. I will not lie to you senators, it was the knowledge that Hirtius was consul designate that led to initial consideration of him. That being said, his position of consul designate was by no means the deciding factor. I have not forgotten Caesar's support of Dolabella as consul suffectus, of Lepidus as Magister Equitum, and of Octavius as his heir and future Magister Equitum. Counting Hirtius's worthy actions, this makes Caesar's record 1-3. He's chosen one good man out of four. Fortunately for him, his military record was better. But this cannot be ignored. Surely had Caesar been alive, he would not have continued to support these men if he were in our positions. Caesar is dead and therefore can no longer give an accurate judgment of character.

For these reasons, I feel that we must compromise for the sake of the Republic. Let the acta be read out of respect for Caesar the general and his supporters. However, let them serve only as a suggestion. This gives Caesar no more power than that of an ordinary senator yet does not disgrace his name either. The acta should not become official legislation unless the senate feels the need to enact one specific aspect at a time. Under no circumstances should we have one blanket vote to enact all the acta. If we wish to move onto public works, we can consult the acta. Those who support Caesar's recommendation can vote in favor of what he stated in the acta. Those who disagree can propose something else. Caesar has been wrong too many times already in the judgment of men. I fear that he might be wrong in other areas as well. Despite the legacy he tried to leave, Caesar was only a man. He can not be afforded in death the same power he forcefully took in life. He should be allowed no more than a recommendation. Even this is perhaps far too generous. Is noble Brutus allowed to make a recommendation? No, he is not. But I feel that we should not create rifts in our recovering Republic. This is all my conscience will allow me to concede.