How necessary it was for the Romans to execute Justice against the
Latins, is further seen from the course took with the men of Privernum.
And here the text of Livius suggests two points for our attention:
first, as already noted, that a subjugated people is either to be
caressed or crushed; and second, how much it is for our advantage to
maintain a manly bearing, and to speak the truth fearlessly in the
presence of the wise. For the senate being met to determine the fate
of the citizens of Privernum, who after rebelling had been reduced to
submission by the Roman arms, certain of these citizens were sent by
their countrymen to plead for pardon. When these had come into the
presence of the senate, one of them was asked by a senator, "_What
punishment he thought his fellow citizens deserved?_" To which he
of Privernum answered, "_Such punishment as they deserve who deem
themselves worthy of freedom._" "_But,_" said the consul, "_should we
remit your punishment, what sort of peace can we hope to have with
you?_" To which the other replied, "_If granted on fair terms, a firm
and lasting peace; if on unfair, a peace of brief duration._" Upon
this, though many of the senators were displeased, the wiser among them
declared "_that they had heard the voice of freedom and manhood, and
would never believe that the man or people who so spoke ought to remain
longer than was needful in a position which gave them cause for shame;
since that was a safe peace which was accepted willingly; whereas good
faith could not be looked for where it was sought to impose servitude._"
So saying, they decided that the people of Privernum should be admitted
to Roman citizenship, with all the rights and privileges thereto
appertaining; declaring that "_men whose only thought was for freedom,
were indeed worthy to be Romans._" So pleasing was this true and high
answer to generous minds, while any other must have seemed at once false
and shameful. And they who judge otherwise of men, and of those men,
especially, who have been used to be free, or so to think themselves,