The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-24 00:00:00

PUBLIC MEETING of the ITALIANS

OF LONDON.
On Wednesday evening a meeting of the Italians
resident in London was held at the Western Literary
Institution, Leicester-square. Tho meeting had been
convened by the Signori Mazzini, Pistrucci, and Fermi,
and others of the leading Italian Liberals. Shortly
after eight o'clock the theatre or lecture room of the
institution was crowded with a most respectable audience,
consisting almost exclusively of Italians, a few ladies
gracing the assemblage with their presence. Signor
Mazzini was elected President by acclamation, and took
the chair amid loud applause.
The (41111111 N, after expressing his sense of the
honour done hint in being chosen to preside over the
meeting, proceeded to explain the object which he and
his associates had in view in calling their fellow-country-
men together at this time. Ile said that ho happened to
be in Paris when the late revolution was achieved, and
that he had been invited to attend a meeting of Italians
residing in that capital, convoked by a few of their
brethren, for the purpose of forming a National Associa-
tion (AsAociazione azinale) comprehending all Italians
who desired the regeneration of their native country.
No difference of political opinion excluded Italians from
that society, whether they looked forward to the estab-
lishment iu Italy of a republic, of a monarchy, or of a
federal government, provided they were united in the
desire to restore to Italy her freedom, independence, and
ancient glory. That meeting had done him the honour
to elect him president of their committee, and, on his
departure fir Loudon, had entrusted him with the task
of organizing a similar association here, to act in unison
with tho central or parent society of Paris. Their aim
should be to promote, in every way in their power, the
movement so happily begun in the Peninsula. Mr.
Slsasini concluded by reading the address adopted by the
original association in Paris to their brethren at home
and abroad, exhorting them to union, moderation, and a
determined resistance to the oppressors of their country.
The reading of this address elicited prolonged applause,
and, on the motion of Mr. Mazzini, it was unanimously
agreed that an association should be formed in London,
on the same basis and for the same purposes with that
in Paris. After a few brief but enthusiastic speeches,
some discussion arose as to the best mode of electing
the office bearers and committee; it was finally agreedito
proceed to the election of the president and vice-presi
dents by scrutiny. Signor Filippo Pistrucci was elected
president, and the Signori Mariotti and Giglioli, viee-
presidents ; two secretaries, a treasurer, with five or six
councillors were then nominated, to compose, along
with the president and vice-presidents, the standing
committee.
At the suggestion of Mr. Manus', most of those
present handed in their names and addresses, with the
amount of monthly subscription which each agreed to
give towards the promotion of the objects of theassocia-
tion, as had been done by their brethren in Paris.
The newly-elected PRESIDENT having announced that
the next meeting would take place that day week, the
meeting separated.
It was gratifying to observe the unanimity and en-
thusiastn which characterised the proceedings, although
they were not conducted throughout with that order
and regularity usual in similar meetings in this country.
There was occasionally some confusion, :and one could
not help re masking that the right of assembling publicly
to discuss political subjects is still new to the Italians,
while every stranger present must have felt how worthy
such a nation is of all the lights and blessings which
freedom can bestow.