they departed to Rome to a triumph universally admitted to
be due to them. To the triumph was added the honour of having equestrian
statues erected to them in the forum, a compliment very unusual at that
period. Before they commenced holding the meeting for the election of
the consuls for the ensuing year, Camillus moved the senate concerning
the Latin states, and spoke thus: "Conscript fathers, that which was to
be done by war and arms in Latium has now been fully accomplished by the
bounty of the gods and the valour of the soldiers. The armies of the
enemy have been cut down at Pedum and the Astura. All the Latin towns,
and Antium belonging to the Volscians, either taken by storm, or
received into surrender, are occupied by your garrisons. It now remains
to be considered, since they annoy us by their repeated rebellions, how
we may keep them in quiet submission and in the observance of perpetual
peace. The immortal gods have put the determination of this matter so
completely in your power, that they have placed it at your option
whether Latium is to exist henceforward or not. Ye can therefore insure
to yourselves perpetual peace, as far as regards the Latins, either by
adopting severe or lenient measures. Do ye choose to adopt cruel conduct
towards people who have surrendered and have been conquered? Ye may
destroy all Latium, make a vast desert of a place whence, in many and
serious wars, ye have often made use of an excellent army of allies. Do
you wish, according to the example of your ancestors, to augment the
Roman state by admitting the vanquished among your citizens? Materials
for extending your power by the highest glory are at hand. That
government is certainly by far the most secure, which the subjects feel
a pleasure in obeying. But whatever determination ye wish to come to, it
is necessary that it be speedy. So many states have ye in a state of
suspense between hope and fear; and it is necessary that you be
discharged as soon as possible of your solicitude about them, and that
their minds, whilst they are still in a state of insensibility from
uncertainty, be at once impressed either by punishment or clemency. It
was our duty to bring matters to such a pass that you may have full
power to deliberate on every matter; yours to decide what is most
expedient to yourselves and the commonwealth."

14. The principal members of the senate applauded the consul's
statement of the business on the whole; but said that