The senate was assembled in the Capitol.  Thither the tribunes came with the commons in a state of great consternation:  the multitude, with loud clamours, implored the protection, now of the consuls, now of the patricians:  nor could they move the consul from his determination, until the tribunes promised that they would submit to the authority of the senate.  Then, on the consul’s laying before them the demands of the tribunes and commons, decrees of the senate were passed:  that neither should the tribunes propose the law during that year, nor should the consuls lead out the army from the city—­that, for the future, the senate decided that it was against the interests of the commonwealth that the same magistrates should be continued and the same tribunes be reappointed.  The consuls conformed to the authority of the senate:  the tribunes were reappointed, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the consuls.  The patricians also, that they might not yield to the commons in any particular, themselves proposed to re-elect Lucius Quinctius consul.  No address of the consul was delivered with greater warmth during the entire year.  “Can I be surprised,” said he, “if your authority with the people is held in contempt, O conscript fathers?  It is you yourselves who are weakening it.  Forsooth, because the commons have violated a decree of the senate, by reappointing their magistrates, you yourselves also wish it to be violated, that you may not be outdone by the populace in rashness; as if greater power in the state consisted in the possession of greater inconstancy and liberty of action; for it is certainly more inconstant and greater folly to render null and void one’s own decrees and resolutions, than those of others.  Do you, O conscript fathers, imitate the unthinking multitude; and do you, who should be an example to others, prefer to transgress by the example of others, rather than that others should act rightly by yours, provided only I do not imitate the tribunes, nor allow myself to be declared consul, contrary to the decree of the senate.  But as for you, Gaius Claudius, I recommend that you, as well as myself, restrain the Roman people from this licentious spirit, and that you be persuaded of this, as far as I am concerned, that I shall take it in such a spirit, that I shall not consider that my attainment of office has been obstructed by you, but that the glory of having declined the honour has been augmented, and the odium, which would threaten me if it were continued, lessened.”  Thereupon they issued this order jointly:  That no one should support the election of Lucius Quinctius as consul:  if any one should do so, that they would not allow the vote.