The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-18 00:00:00

FELICE ORSINI AT LEEDS.

A large and influential audience was collected in the
Music-hall, Leeds, on Thursday evening, to hear Signor
Orsini upon the Italian question, and the Austrian oc-
cupation of Italy. J. BOTTERILL, Esq., occupied the
chair.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that
he had great pleasure in introducing to the meeting Sig-
nor Felice Orsini—an exile from the land which was
once the glory of civilisation, and renowned for learning,
for science, for poetry, and for the fine arts. Was the soil
of Italy less abundant now, were her skies less bright,
her sons less heroic, less patriot.c, or born with less
genius ? No. (Applause.) But the iron hand of des-
potism had seized her with a terrific gripe, and hurled
her best, her most talented, her noblest, and most en-
lightened citizens into those loathsome dungeons, which
Felice Orsini could so well describe to them. But should
this always remain so ? He believed they would say
with him that Italy must have its day of liberation.
Perhaps in that assembly there -might be a variety of
opinions as to the time within which that liberation would
be effected ; but be was sure they would all join with
him in the prayer that that time might soon arrive—that
it might be in their time—that their eyes might see its
glorious results. (Applause.)
Signor FELICE ORSINI was then introduced by the
chairman, and on rising was greeted with the most vehe-
ment applause. He said that much as be had himself
suffered, he was ready to endure everything, to pass
through any trials and sufferings, if he could by so doing
hasten the downfall and assist in the overthrow of the
oppressors of his country. (Loud applause.) Although
but a simple individual, yet while God granted bim in-
tellect and physical power he hoped to assist in erasing
the bloody feet-tracks of Austria from the soil of Italy.
(Vehement cheering.) And if, with his latest breath,
be could reflect that he had, with deeds, and not words
only, done something to aid in the liberation of the
land that gave him birth, he should die contented
and happy. (Applause.) Signor Orsini concluded
byexclaiming—Noble and generous Englishmen ! the
corner-stone of oppression in Italy has to be overthrown,
and the whole fabric razed to its foundation. But while
n thist h
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thea-
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Tiber. The Papacy upholds Austrian tyranny, and the
tanexeiffstecot
oppression of all Italy; and we Italians consecrate it a
supreme duty to get rid of the Papacy as tho principal
cause of all our miseries—that Papacy which is ever
ready to bless the ensanguined hands of any one, be be
duke or king, or emperor, who will lead a brutal soldiery
to crush out the lives of the people. We will do our
best, with God's help, to uproot Papacy, and drive the
foreigner beyond the Alps, that Italy may have a posi-
tion and a name among the nations. (Applause.) The
movement has begun ; the nations of Europe have seen
in the Crimea that the old Roman and Italian is not
dead, and may rise up yet as valiantly as ever for Italy.
And you, Englishmen, who in past times so nobly eman-
cipated yourselves from the thrall of the Papacy, we
trust and believe that, instead of helping our oppressors,
you will use your powerful influence in our behalf. Yes,
we believe that England will not turn aside from the
glorious path that Providence has assigned her—a path
which she has illumined by centuries of freedom, and in
which she has shone resplendently by her love of liberty,
of justice, and of honour. (Cheers.)
Mr. L. JONES proposed a resolution, pledging the
meeting to open forthwith a subscription, to be handed
to the Italian National Committee, to be applied by
them in such ways as they may deem expedient, for as-
sisting in the emancipation of their country.
Mr. Councillor .PATTEESON seconded the motion in a
few sentences, and it was carried by acclamation.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the
meeting.