The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-06 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, JULY 6, 18157.

There has been an emeute, it can scarcely be
called an insurrection, at Genoa. From the in-
formation already received, it seems to have been
a mad and reckless attempt to create a disturb-
ance, for the mere sake of disturbance, with-
out the slightest hope of altering the govern-
ment, or effecting any change whatever. It seems
strange that this "demonstration" should have
taken place in the only country in Italy that pos-
sesses a Constitutional Government, and where
the people are in the enjoyment of real liberty.
But it was not of the People. But few Genoese
participated in the riot, It was chiefly got up by
some emigres of disreputable character, *ho, not-
withstanding the precautions adopted by the au•
thorities, contrived to make their way to the
scene of action. It certainly looks very like a
matter instigated by the Police, not of Genoa,
but of some neighbouring territory, who would
greatly desire to expend some of the mauv ais
sujets in an insane contest, and who could also
avail themselves of the argument that the attempt
was not made where there were bona fide grounds
of complaint, but in a free country, and under
liberal institutions.

The matter would be merely laughable were it
not for the murder of a gallant soldier who
bravely defended his post in Fort Diamante.
His unfortunate death has cast a tragic aspect
over the affair, and will probably lead to the exe-
cution of the actual murderer, and some, at least,
of his.associates. Bat for that, it might be treated
with the ridicule it so eminently merits. The
telegraphic wires communicating between Genoa
and Turin were severed in the neighbour-
hood of Ronco. This • was clearly with the
view of preventing early information of the
outrage. The Government had, however, previ-
ously been warned. They had known ten days
before, that some attempt was to be made on the
night of 29th-30th June, and were consequently
on the alert. A portion of the troops were kept
in barracks, to be in readiness for any effort that
might be made. These troops were placed at the
disposal of the civil authorities, and acted promptly
and effectively in suppressing the tumult.

When they patrolled the city, they found many
groups assembled, whose appearance showed that
they meant mischief. Many were arrested, and
they were found to be armed with daggers and
other offensive weapons. A movement had
previously been made against Fort Spa-
rone. But there a battalion of Bersaglieri
suprised and captured a large proportion of the
assailants. Unfortunately, however, the party,
►bout 50 in number, despatched against Fort
Diamante, had been more active in their move-
ments. They had either surprised or secured the
co-operation of the sentry, and consequently
were enabled to enter the fort without any alarm
being given. The soldiers, too few to offer an
effectual resistance, were locked up in a room ;
but one of their number, a brave sergeant, who,
single handed, defended the trust confided to his
charge, was brutally murdered. The Fort was
shortly afterwards re-captured, and its assailants
taken. The actual murderer of the brave but
unfortunate sergeant has, it is sad, been clearly iden-
tified. Many searches were subsequently made, and
considerable quantities of arms and ammunition
seized and prisoners made.

Some of the prisoners have confessed that they
expected a simultaneous rising at Carrara, Flo-
rence, Bologna, and Naples. It looks, however,
as if they were made the dupes of others, who
misled them with false information, and induced
them to embark in the dangerous enterprise in
which they were engaged. There is nothing
whatever to connect M. MAzzINI or any of the
Italian refugees with the attempt. Indeed, we
are convinced that the shaft was drawn from a
very different quiver. Of course, the friends of
despotism in all quarters will attempt
to cast the onus of the abortive demons-
stration on those whom they hate for daring
to cherish liberal sentiments. M. MAZZINI, how-
ever, is not so great a fool as they wish to prove.
He would calculate the chances of success more
closely, and it is not in Piedmont that he would
make a beginning. There are too many favour-
able openings produced by misgovernment and
oppression of the most intolerable character. He
would not wish to bring the cause he has advo-
cated into disrepute, or to retard the progress of
Italian independence. It would, however, just be
' the sort of thing for the Austrian or Neapolitan
Police. They could avail themselves of it in
many ways. It would tell considerably in
their communications with the Representatives
of France and England. The outbreak was
not in Venice, or Milan, or Naples, but in
Piedmont. Nothing could satisfy the malcon-
tents, and it would be perfectly useless to make
concessions which would not be appreciated or
deemed satisfactory. It could be made available
in various modes, and the best use will doubt-
less be made of the materials. The refugees must
not, however, be censured for proceedings of
which they were probably entirely ignorant, and
which, if consulted, they would earnestly depre-
cate and denounce.

After the suppression of the riot a num-
ber of strangers got on board the steamer
Cagliari, bound for Sardinia and Tunis. When
the coast was cleared, they rose against the cap-
tain and officers, and compelled them to steer for
the coast of Sicily, where, it is said, some were
killed, others captured, and that a few escaped to
the Calabrian mountains, to share the miserable
lot of the outlaws who have there found a
place of refuge. This was the end of the tragi-
cal farce, from which it will be attempted to
gather materials for heaping fresh vituperation
against those who are already more deeply sinned
against than sinnig, and who have quite enough
to
bear without being rendered liable to calumni-
ous accusations or unfounded insinuations.