Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-19
The Truth REGARDING the Offer made TO
aaribaldI.

A Paris correspondent of the New York
Times, under date of September q, says:
We have at length arrived at the truth in
regard to the Garibaldi affair. In the first
plsce. friends of Garibaldi intimated to the
Govern ment at Washington long ago that
the General took deep interest in the strug-
gle between the Union and Slavery, and that
without doubt, he could be induced to lend
his powerful aid to the National arms. The
fact was stated in such way that the Gov
eminent regarded it as an offer of services,
and, feeling deeply sensible for such mark
of confidence and good will on the part Of
the great Italian leader, ordered negotia-
tion to be commenced in regard to the mat
ter. This negotiation, on account of his per-
sonal acquaintance with GaribRldi and his
knowledge of European languages, was con-
fded to Mr.. Sanford, Minister to Belgium.
Mr.. S. was authorized to make terms with
General Garibaldi for the command of divi-
sion of the American army, and was charged,
at the sane time, to convey to the General
an expression of the high esteem of the Amer
lean Government for his eminent patriotism
and abilities.
In the first correspondence which took
place only general terms were used there
being nothing more definite than an offer of
service in the army of the United States.
But, in connection with this fact, the impress
sion all at once grew general in Europe
proceeding partly from the affair at Bull
Run-thst the National army was in great
straits for commander, and that this offer
to General Garibaldi meant the chief COM
mand. Garibaldps Generals, Bixio, Turr,
Sirtori and Others at once gathered around
him, and offered to accompany him to Amer
ca, where they supposed a great field was
to be opened for their loved chief in the
emancipation of slavery and the salvation of
the destinies of the great American Republic.
All this was highly honorable in both Carl
bsldl and his Generals, and they thereby
earned the gratitude of the loyal American
people, for their motive was not pure adven-
tuIe, as might be supposed; their hearts were
in the contest and they felt that there, as
we'll as in Italy, they would be fighting the
universal battle of civilization and humanity.
But Mr.. Sanford was not authorized to of
fer General Garibaldi the chief command of
the National army-a fact which Garibaldi
did not comprehend till he saw Mr.. S. at
Caprera. In the mean time the word had
got out that Garibaldi had been offered the
chief command, and all the harm had been
done. When Mr.. Sanford offered him divi-
sion Of the army he was still disposed to &C.
cept, but then his friends, the King of Italy
in the number, advised him not to, and thus
the negotiation came to an end.
In all the discussions, Gariba(di, who is a
naturalized citizen of the United States, con-
stantly spoke of the deep interest he felt in
the welfare of his adopted country, which
stood next in his heart and affections to hi:
native Italy, and, if it had not been for the
pressure of his friends at the last moment
and especially the urgent letter of the King
he would have gone to take command in any
position the President would have placed
him. His whole soul is in the cause of thu
Union. He shed tears when speaking of th,
probable rupture of the great Republic, AM
said that if it were shown to him that hi
services were essential to the North, nothn
would restrain him but the prospect of in
mediate service in Italy. 1t must not be bt
lieved, however that the King and the az
visers of Garibaldi objected to his going frol
any want of sympathy in the cause of tt
American Union; it was solely because the
could not spare him At this important epOc
in the history of Italy, for service so far re
moved from home ana so full of dangers.
was not that they loved America less, br
Garibaldi more.