The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-15
From the Boston Weekly Museum.
JOSEPH MAZZlNI.
BY COUNT ADAM De GURowsKL


The storm which has been blowing with
more or less continuity and violence over Eu-
rope, during the second quarter OF the present
century, has evoked into political Importance
numerous individuals, some of whom kept afioat
on the infuriated waves for longer or shorter
periods, sinking after a certain time into peace
full insignifcance; Others, struggling laborlous-
ly, remained faithful to the colers under which
they once started into life and combat. Among
these, there is one lofty individuality which, it
may be said, rises above them all. Since its
apparition in the lists against darkness, des-
potism, political and social oppression, against
all the abuses and rottenness pouring out from
the past on to the present associated with 9TH
ers, or alone, it has stood up, mighty, unsha-
ken, unyielding and menacing. The forces
which it commands are condensed in power
full mind, in living faith, and in those pure
principles which alone inspire mankind, and
mark the continual transition from political
lethargy to higher and more noble activity.
Armed with these weapons, he levies war alone
against the combined resources of POpes, Kings,
Emperors, and Ministers, with all their ad-
ministrative and police engines and tools. Iso-
lated, prosecuted, outlawed, hunted from place
tainted or abandoned the struggle move
ment of his lips or a stroke of his pen makes
tremble and feel uneasy in their abSolutist
strongholds the rulers of the continent This
man is Joseph Northumberland the most
prominent man of our era.
He was born in Genoa, where his father was,
and | suppose is still, practicing physician
and professor OF the medical school As a
rat boy no oil tka
1928, inspired fear and uneasiness to the, at
that time violent and despotic Government of
Piedmont. Then, he founded literary periodi-
cal under the title of the Indicators GenoUese,
where the principles and notions partly brought
forward, afterwards only slightly touched by
the revolution of July, 1880, have been already
alluded to and even protested. This periodical
was suppressed in few months of It's appari-
ton. But the indomitable youth returned TO
the assault in another shape and title, that of
the JWiieatore Liuornese
The revolution of July kindled again the
hopes of Italy. Its juvenile spirits famed up
everywhere. AS q preventive measure, Mazzini,
with some other liberals, was arrested in Genoa,
judged by special commission. and sent TO
the fastness of Savona Afts eight months of
imprisonment, they were released under the
condition OF not coming near to their native
city The following story may serve to Illus
trate the character of the young Mazzini.
When the aforementioned arrest took place,
his father called on the Governor Of Genoa to
ascertain the nature of the offence of his son.
Your son." answered the Governor, "takes
habltuaily his walks in the suburbs, in the or
chards and fields, devoted to deep meditatons
Vi what nature can be the thoughts thus deep
ly absorbing him"
Released, Mazzini left the kingdom of Sar-
tlnia, and sought refuge in Marseilles
The revolutionary movement in the Roman
State was already defeated Gregory XVI
sheltered by the Austrian flag, took the most
,ruel reactionary retaliation on the revolution
sts The movement in the Papal States at
hat time, together with the general excite
nent prevailing through Italy, was one evoked
~ the old liberals, as they are called, old Car
>onoros, all of whom were partsans, of a kind
If constitutional monarchy, of the existing d.
1sion OF Italy into separate sovereignties. and
If some reignng dynastes Already. however.
n the year 1880, the new or younger genera,
ion was moved by different aspirations, but its
rec action was mastered and compressed by
he aforementioned liberals. 1t may be said
hat Mazzini embodied these new tendencies,
md at the outset proclaimed boldly absolute
epublicaD principles, as the only way for re-
onquerng the Independence of Italy, and for
lstillng into her new reinyigorating life
In Marseilles he founded the celebrated pc
.odlcal called Young Italy, based on an asso-
lation of the same name The periodical in
PRED with terror all Italian Governments; it |
vas trumpet, awakened from apathy all |
classes in Italy, sounding to their minds and |
hearts with new mvigorating ideas The |
I'oUind italia was the banner of the unity of
hat country-ior the first time in many CEN
,uries unlolded in the sight of all parties, and
by intellectual powers ofthe highest
order. Blending the various territorial Sub
divisions into one national unity it became a
ocus Tor political association, for the develop
ment and elaboration of all higher questions
relating to society. On this association intel
ectually and de tdctO, were subsequently, mod |
elled all the like combinations under the names |
Of Young Germany France, Poland, Scandi- |
nava, Hungary, &c 1t proclaimed the most
complete, the most absolute rupture with the |
past and all its elements and agencies, as roy |
atty. papacy and all kinds of aristocracies. All
questions were discussed with deep reasoning
and hery augmentation. Overthrowing ire |
sistibly all the petty notions of conservatism. it
burst suddenly like burning meteor, into the |
camp OF the abSolutiss, as well rs into that of |
the moderados In one word, the Giouina ia !
la AIMED from its outset, as does now It's sue |
oessor, the Italia del Popolo known partly in
this country to take as basis principles in their
most absolute meaning and application: treat |
ing with scorn and contempt any kind of half |
way expediencies.
The celebrated Sismondi patronized in the |
beginning, with the authority of his name. the |
publication of this journal He tried to check
the impetuosity of the absolute, unyielding
democratical retormer, but tried it in vain. TO.
gether with his editorial labors, Mazzini COM
bined simultaneously those of decply aptatinp
the Italian soil, extending the association, and
new republican Democratic ri.
sing
Since the firm establishment of terrorism bv
the domestic sovereigns the separate Govern
ments of Italy have kept their respective sub
)ects more than ever estranged from each
other Through the pressure of a severe. I'M
principlcd, NJ sanguinarv police. the murder
Gus proceedings OF The Government in one SOW
erelgnty were almost unknown To the inhabit
ants of the ncghboring ones Thus criminal
executions IN Naples did not reach the ears of
the Romans. Piedmont, likewise, smothered
the cries OF its victims, so that they we're not
heard in Lombardy. The Giorind Haiia ex-
tending with each OF its numbers, finding every
where devoted correspondents, spoke alone for
all. Thus from all points of the peninsula in
telligence of ali kinds poured to Marseillcs.
where the editor resided, and thus the period.
cal became a central eche for the whole coun-
try. Its first manifestations of Italian unity
have been consecrated with horrible details of
legal atrocities. The bloody executions in Ro-
magma, Modena, the barbarous actions of the
Neapoitan police, as for example imprsoning
Mr. Ricciard in lunatic asylum as a punish.
ment for his republicanism, were made public
to Italy and to the world, together with the
story of Harriet, Countess Castigone.
coming out dying from an Austrian fortress
the prosecutions of La Cocislia. and numerous