The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-25 00:00:00

SYMPATHY Wl7ll GARIBALD-7

.
On Tuesday evening a public meeting of the in-
habitants of Rochdale was held in the Council
Chamber, " for the purpose of expressing sympathy
with General Garibaldi in his noble efforts for the
unity and independence of Italy, and of memorialis-
ing her Majesty's Government to use its utmost
efforts to obtain as speedily as possible the evacua-
tion of Rome by the French troops." The meeting
was called by the Mayor (Mr. J. T. Pagan), in com
pliance with a requisition numerously signed.
The MAYOR said he had great pleasure in taking
the chair, and in thereby showing his approval of
the movement sympathising with Garibaldi under
his great trial. However much some might be dis-
posed to differ from Garibaldi with regard to the
last act of his life, which had placed him under con-
siderable disability, no one could doubt the pure-
ness of his motives and the disinterestedness of his
general conduct; and they must all desire that his
present difficulties might ultimately lead to Rome
becoming the capital of Italy, and that Garibaldi
might occupy there the position of one of the
advisers of Victor Emmanuel. (Applause.)
Mr. Alderman HEALEY, in proposing the first
resolution, said that Italy during the last fifty years,
had suffered injustice from Austrian and Bourbon,
and from princes and popes, who had all conspired
to trample out the life and energy of a generous and
noble nation. There had, however, from time to
time arisen noble patriots who had striven to free
their country from cruelty and oppression, sacrific-
ing ease, property, and life itself to attain that end.
(Applause.) Amid this host of patriots and martyrs
none shone more conspicuous for purity of motive,
and none had succeeded in rallying around him
the youth and activity of the people like Gari-
baldi. (Applause.) Two years ago Garibaldi
gave a kingdom to a king. Now he was a wounded
captive. And why ? Because it suited the purposes
of a foreign despot who had sat for thirteen years
on the neck of Rome, and because he strove
to rescue from foreign occupation and to give back
to Italy her historic and natural capital. (Ap-
plause.) He wondered if Louis Napoleon sat easier
on his throne because Garibaldi was stretched as a
cripple in a prison. Garibaldi had been a house- I
hold word cherished in the hearts of Englishmen
too long for Englishmen to forget him in the day of
his misfortune., (Applause.) He proposed—" That
this meeting desires to express its deep and heart-
felt sympathy with General Garibaldi in his pre-
sent captivity, its admiration of his high, pure, and
noble patriotism, and its earnest hope that he may
live to see the aspirations of his life realised in a
free and united Italy."
Dr. CHEETHAM seconded the resolution, and said
that much blame was attached to Victor Emmanuel
and to Rattazzi, but far greater blame was due to
Louis Napoleon. They had not come there to pro-
test against the acts of the minor devils, but against
Satan himself, whom he held to be impersonated in
Louis Napoleon; and he hoped they would not
separate that night without giving three groans
for Louis Napoleon. (Applause )
The resolution was unanimously passed.
Mr. Alderman LIVESEY proposed—" That this
meeting looks with astonishment and i egret on the
continued occupation of Rome by French troops,
and respectfully urges upon her Majesty's Govern.,
meat the policy of using its influence in endeavour-
ing to secure their speedy removal." He said he
would a thousand times sooner be Garibaldi on his
bed of suffering, resting there with a consciousness
that he had done his duty, than Victor Emmanuel
or Napoleon, perpetually racked with fear and
trembling, because neither of them knew when the
day might come when they would be hurled from
their positions. (Applause.) The question had been
asked where Garibaldi was to be tried. Tb.ere was
not a rood of ground in all Italy would become so
polluted as to be the scene of the trial of such a man.
Trial! for what ? For regenerating his country.
Mr. P. A. Taylor, M.P. for. Leicester, a true man of
the people, was with Garibaldi, consoling, it was to
be hoped, the illustrious captive with the assurance
of the sympathy of Englishmen. Let the men of
Rochdale add their tribute to the imprisoned
hero. (Applause.) Many persons, their represen-
tative, Mr. Richard Cobden, among the number,
held up to admiration the policy of tie Emperor of
the French. His recent commercial policy the people
of England thoroughly approved of. But there were
other things besides commercial reciprocity—the
questions of the love of liberty, and of the right
of a people to govern themselves according to their
own views. (Applause.) Commercial treaties did
not weigh one feather with him when considering
these things. He did not wish to be personally
offensive to Louis Napoleon ; but he totally disap-
proved of the way in which that man came to the
throne, and the means he took to keep himself in
that position. (Applause.) He called upon the
meeting to pass the resolution, and to strengthen
the hands of the Foreign Secretary in any repre-
sentations he might make on thesubject. (Applause.)
Mr. R. KELSALL seconded the resolution, and
spoke from personal experience of the Romans as
being as worthy to possess, and capable or enjoy-
ing, liberty, as the people of other parts of Italy.
The resolution was supported by Mr. AVILLiam
SHEPHERD, and carried.
Other speeches were delivered, and the proceed-
ings closed with a vote of thanks to the Mayor.
Enthusiastic meetings have also been held in
Bristol and Glasgow.