Reared in republican virtues, Cicero found himself frequently confounded by Antonius. Antonius heartily agreed with him that the budget should be balanced, that the Treasury should be refilled, that public debt should be reduced, that the arrogance of the generals should be tempered and controlled, that assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt, that the mobs should be forced to work and not depend on the government for subsistence, and that prudence and frugality should be put into practice as soon as possible. But when Cicero produced facts and figures how all these things must and should be accomplished, by austerity and discipline and commonsense, Antonius became troubled. But this — or that — would bring hardship on this — or that — class, Antonius said. The people are accustomed to lavish displays in the circuses and the theaters, and the lotteries, and free grain and beans and beef when they are destitute, and shelter when they are homeless and a part of the city is rebuilt. Is not the welfare of our people paramount? There will be no welfare of the people if we become bankrupt, said Cicero, grimly. We can become solvent again, and strong, only by self-denial and by spending as little as possible until the public debt is paid and the Treasury refilled. But one cannot — if one has a heart at all — deprive the people of what they have received for many decades from government, and which they expect. It will create the most terrible hardships. Better that all of us tighten our girdles than Rome fall, said Cicero.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 07:44:38 +0000