Though he had been Quaestor and AEdile, and was now Praetor, he had taken a part only in executive administration.

He had had his political ideas, and had expressed them very strongly in that matter of the judges, which, in the condition of Rome, was certainly a political question of great moment.

But this he had done as an advocate, and had interfered only as a barrister of to-day might do, who, in arguing a case before the judges, should make an attack on some alleged misuse of patronage.

Now, for the first time, he made a political harangue, addressing the people in a public meeting from the rostra.
This speech is the oration Pro Lego Manilia.

This he explains in his first words.