Thecensors，andbeforethemtheconsuls，modelled[45]andcreated，asitwere，everyfiveyearsthebodyofthepeople；theyexercisedthelegislationontheverypartthatwaspossessedofthelegislativepower。\"TiberiusGracchus，\"saysCicero，\"causedthefreedmentobeadmittedintothetribes，notbytheforceofhiseloquence，butbyaword，byagesture；whichhadhenoteffected，therepublic，whosedroopingheadweareatpresentscarcelyabletouphold，wouldnotevenexist。\"
Ontheotherhand，thesenatehadthepowerofrescuing，asitwere，therepublicoutofthehandsofthepeople，bycreatingadictator，beforewhomthesovereignbowedhishead，andthemostpopularlawsweresilent。[46]
17。OftheexecutivePowerinthesameRepublic。Jealousasthepeoplewereoftheirlegislativepower，theyhadnogreatuneasinessabouttheexecutive。Thistheyleftalmostentirelytothesenateandtotheconsuls，reservingscarcelyanythingmoretothemselvesthantherightofchoosingthemagistrates，andofconfirmingtheactsofthesenateandofthegenerals。
Rome，whosepassionwastocommand，whoseambitionwastoconquer，whosecommencementandprogresswereonecontinuedusurpation，hadconstantlyaffairsofthegreatestweightuponherhands；herenemieswereeverconspiringagainsther，orsheagainstherenemies。
Asshewasobligedtobehaveontheonehandwithheroiccourage，andontheotherwithconsummateprudence，itwasrequisite，ofcourse，thatthemanagementofaffairsshouldbecommittedtothesenate。Thusthepeopledisputedeverybranchofthelegislativepowerwiththesenate，becausetheywerejealousoftheirliberty；buttheyhadnodisputesabouttheexecutive，becausetheywereanimatedwiththeloveofglory。