The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-27
THE CARBONARI.

the advocates of republican reform:
THE CARBONARI.
Political opinions in Italy had long been divided
between two distinct and opposite elements, which
constantly initiated against each other. These
the Guelphic and Ghbelline factions. They rep
resented Italy and the Pope on one side, and Ger
many and the emperor on the other. The Guelphs
were so called from Guelfo, of the great family of
D'Este who was made Duke of Bavaria by the en-
peror- elect, Arrigo ~, King of Germany and tia
ly in the year 1869; and the Ghibellines derived
their origin from Corrado, Duke of Francona, who
succeeded TO the throne of Italy the extinction of
the Saxon dynasty in the year 1899 their name be-
ing taken from his German castle of Weibilingen.
The Austrian claims ON Italy were in virtue OF the
descent of their emperors from this house, and the
Ghibene party was, therefore, that OF foreign in
huence. The Guelphs, although they had hrst been
raised 10 power by the Ghibellines soon became
their antagonists: for they espoused the Italian
cause when Pope Alexander III. arralgned the
Emperor Arrigo before his pontihcal tribunal, to
answer for the simony of the German prelates
and other crimes against the church. Thus com
menced the great contest, which has contin-
ued through succeeding ages to the present day,
between the popes and the emperors, between Rome
and Cesar; and the two powerful sects kept up the
struggle with unremitting viruence-the one being
styled the Guelphc or Italian, and the other the
Ghibelline or German party. Produced by the long
sustained combat of these political interests,
third element was at length called into existence
in ltaly and, gradually deaching itself from
tent which threatened 10 annihlate both. The third
was the popular element the element of progress
This plant, of rapid and luxurant growth,
first eagerly cultivated by the Supreme pontfs,
but IL was afterwards treacherously blighted by
them. The prime minister of the just and humble
religion OF God made mantle great tribune of the
people, raised by election and for his virtues to the
first of earthly thronesat that time the sovereign head
of the universal church of the day-became an OBJ
stacle 20 the improvement and perfection of man
kind In this the see of Rome did but initiate its
apostolic founder, who abandoned his Master in the
hour of need and trial. ST. Peter denied Christ
numbered with the malefactors; and the pastor mo-
march betrayed his flock and subjects when they
were struggling against internal oppression and ex-
ternal invasion.
But the principal Of resistance only gained fresh
elasticity by the attempt crush il, and deriving
a character from the opposition of the holy see,
il burst forth in another garb when the monk Lu-
Their dotted the cowl, and preached the supremacy
of the word of God over the pretended infallibity
Of corrupt priestcrah.
In the north of Europe il soon triumphed but it
had struggle three centuries in Italy before II
sumed formidable and menacing attitude. 1t ap-
peared at length however, even 70 the south OF the
Alps. Proteus like, il had assumed another image,
having become incarnate IN the military and pie
beian reformer Napoleon Bonaparte; and the great
Corsican soldier of fortune led the popular element
from victory TO victory, until he seated II on the
throne, and bound It's brows with the iron crown of
Mona. total defeat rapidly followed this signal
triumph: and il was as suddenly preciptated from
the pinnacle of political greatness, as II had been
unexpectedly raised TO IL Like the vanqulshed
giants in the ancient Sicilian mythology the popu
lar element in Italy then buried itself in the bowels
of the earth, where alone il existed in the secret
meetings of the Carbonar, and where degenerated
10 a fanatical and Unsuitable spirit OF change.
Carbonarism religious and political insti'
tuition, imported from Egypt into Europe, which
outved successive generations and centuries under
many different forms. IL contributed powerfully
towards the propa cation of Christianity, as long as
her dogmas and tenets promoted civilization; and
when the dark ages of blinded bigotry obscured her
saving light, il labored for the reformation by en-
deavoring TO restore the church OF Christ TO her
primitive purity Met in subterraneous crypts and
cstacombs, the Carbonari swore fraternity and
vowed fidelity their cause and they also INDUCED
IN wild dreams Of the unity and independence oil
the Italian peninsula, well as OF the regeneration
OF the church their avorlte scheme beng the Tor
nation of an Ausonian republic. Francis l. pro
tected them, and his memory IS consequently held
by them in the greatest veneratlon; and at later
period their power suced TO overthrow the Spanish
dynasty at Naples.
An interval of apparent inaction the part OF
the Carbonari then ensued, and they did not re-
appear the political stage of Europe until thrones
and sceptres were falling on every side under the
all-absorbing influence OF the French revolution
Their principles were belied on this OCCASION and
they served the Unpopular designs Of the amb
tious and intriguing Caroline, Queen Of Naples, Tor
whom they organized in the caves of the Apeii-
mines, the Calabrian Yendee. They were subr'-
quently treated with great favor by Murat, IN the
Kingdom of Naples, when he Cherished hopes OF
reigning over the whole of Italy. Their sales be-
powerful and so well constituted, that they
frequently applied 10 for assistance by the
government, when the ordinary police failed IN ar
resting criminals and deserters obtaining secret
political information. Functionaries, both civil
and military, became sectaries; and the sales often
procured for their members employment under
government. The public offices were thus full OF
Carbonari; and the army was likewise, in a great
measure incorporated in their sect, as officers and
soldiers joined in considerable numbers. To 40
wide extent did the utilization Of the latter reach,
that their barracks transformed into sales, and
their time was taken up with political debates
This was ruinous to subprdinatiOn, and subNerslye
OF all discipline; not only because army ought
never % be interested in politics. but also on ac-
count of the hierarchy OF the CarbOnari; for the
colonel Of regiment might thus find himself
obliged by his oath to obey the orders OF any one
Of HE own corporals, who CHANGED "a have risen
more rapidly in the sale This was the epoch, how
ever, when the Carbonari were most formidable IN
Italy; that is from the year 1871 to 1914. But AN
instruction which they then iomented in the
Abruzzi deprived them of the protection of King
Joachim Murat, who thenceforward prosecuted
them. Their scheme for the unity and independ-
Of Italy was, nevertheless, period, when
they enjoyed his favor, on the point of being re-
allied.
The daring ambitious and vaciatng charac.
Of Joacbim-the instability of the French gov.
eminent, not yet consolidated by time-and IN,
constant exposure OF BOnapartc's life, which wa
the only guarantee for the obedience OF the army
for the respect Of the population, and for the fear
OF other natIons, induced of tie Carbonari u
make attempt to provide for possible contin
gcncy which might ruin France, anu &" ave Italy
from being involved in the general catastrophe
which would probably ensue. They insisted tina
united kingdom offered the only chance of secu
rity for the Italian States, and that the ncOmpati
bity and reciprocal aversion Of the different pro
yinces not then likely % raise any obstacle q
the happy result Of the project, the whole PENN
sula subject that time 10 similar laws to th'
system OF financial administration, and 70 al
equally military form Of government. From the
lips TO Etna the same desires prevailed, and simi
lar welfare was enjoyed these being the elements
Of the life and strength Of united people, the
union could, therefore, be =, garded az already ef
fected public interests we're in perfect unity every
where; and nought else wanting 20 its com
pction but a favorable opportunity, and Ah ,nssi
yidual capable Of communicating 1t.
The political aspect Of Europe at the time scenes
proptious, and the vain glorious and enterprisinl
genius Of Murat pointed him out az the man the,
sought for. When the specious dcsign was dIs
closed 20 him by the Csrbonari, he received II Wit
open arms but, being still under the ascendenc.
OF his brother in law, Bonaparte he kept II 30 pro
foundry secret that neither his ministers nor M
queen were informed of IL. He soon showed, how
ever that be was not equal 10 the task which he ha