On Lepidus

Lepidus as of late has been the topic of many rumors which, surprisingly, seem not to have reached many senators’ ears. Some among you find complacency in the fact that Lepidus has been declared an enemy of the state. I believed, and still believe, that this is so. The senate has lacked recently the ability to follow through with her decrees, though. The point I bring up, conscript fathers, is that naming Lepidus an enemy of the state is only half of a solution to a problem which every one of us knows is growing more threatening daily. Leaving the matter at this stage is akin to formally declaring the need build defensive walls, for instance, but stopping discussion before construction actually begins.
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus has shown that he is more than able to take initiative; even going so far as to ignore the entire senate, the most sacred of Roman institutions, while doing so. To have a man able to circumvent, or rather, preempt the will of the senate by burying Caesar’s body without approval and still escape Rome with no apparent repercussions is a disgrace to the body which has been the primary vehicle for holding up the values of the republic, and a direct insult to every citizen of Rome.
Lepidus’ crime was one which, fortunately, the gods have granted us a brief time to resolve. This emergency requires that we set aside bitter differences for however long it takes to decide what ELSE must be done in order to better prepare the republic in the event that Lepidus return armed. It is known that Lepidus fled Rome with a legion under his command; it would be irresponsible to assume that he would be alone in his return. For this reason, an army ought to be set up to protect Rome in the event that Lepidus returns to Rome with intentions to bring down the senate for personal gain. Let not our progress regarding the rule of two consuls be trashed by a man whose actions have shown has no regard for republican ideals or the stability of Rome. Let not the members of this astute body be divided so deeply by personal differences that we all lose sight of what could—and what undoubtedly will—happen if Lepidus returns to the same unguarded and disorganized Rome from which he departed.
The Senate’s army will have the sole aim of domestic protection, not chasing Lepidus around all of Italy. We have seen enough war already. Having a domestic army protecting the city, or repositioning certain legions so that they may directly defend Rome will insure that the senate may continue to conduct business normally, without fear of invasion, and doubly will not put more strain on Rome’s resources. This army will be stationed a short distance outside of the city to insure that Lepidus can do no harm to the citizens of Rome should this situation elevate to open conflict.
Always remember Lepidus’ preemption of the senate and never forget that he would do it again if given the opportunity. Keep in mind that Romans do not want to see another civil war. And if an enemy of the state should return to Rome, may the gods grant that the senate not forget why he was declared such in the first place. Let the formation of a protective army show finally to any who doubt that Rome’s system of government is still intact, that the senate will always retain the authority and power to enforce the laws of the republic, and moreover, that insubordination or preemption shall be dealt with in the most severe manner acceptable to retain Rome’s sovereignty.