Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-04-27

NCRAJ,S FATAL 1EN1E<t1.

Joachim Murat. II not the best In
formed man, WAS undoubtedly the most
gallant and intrepid soldier IN the i'm
perial army of France. Having risen
from the ranks TO the high station OF
general. every part of soldiers duty
was familiar to him, and in all the de
tails OF the military art he had no rival
Napoleon designated him the best cav
airy officer in Europe. His person was
az manly as his manners wefe effeml-
nate: his noble features and powerful
limbs contrasting fairly with the eccen
trio frivolity OF some OF his actions
His best characteristics were = strong
natural sagacity and An almost IN
bounded generosity both Ill public and
private life. These qualities were
frequently called forth when he wa
placed by Bonaparte on the throne OF
Naples.
When Napoleon. blindlv ina ginning
that his army could successfully con
tend with the severity of q northern
winter. formed the gigantic project oi
subjupaiing Russia. Murat was sum
moned from the Neapolitan throne t.
Dresden, to take command of the CAV
airy of the imperial army. Previous to
his departure. Murat, who had married
Napoleon's sister. Caroline Bonapaite
established regency, at the lead OF
which he placed his Queen. The lady
though not the handsomest, was GER
tainly the most interesting and best
Informed of all Napoleon's sisters. Be
sides many feminine accomplishments
she possessed great personal courage and
tact in the management OF political and
administrative affairs. Unfortunately,
however. she was like her elder brother,
inclined to he despetic; disposition
which manifested itself as soon as the
regency Of the kingdom fell chiefly into
her hands. This was unfortunate; for.
under the nildest rule of foreign pow
er. conquered nation seldom sits quiz
city, and the Neapolitans already borr
with Impotence the sway of French
King. Caroline's arbitrary character
was knewn. and, on Murat's depart
ure. the discomfort of the Neapolltans
increased: they redoubled their efforts
to overthrow the French dynasty and
to re-establish the exiled Bourbons on
the throne.
The most powerful of the conspirators
we're the monks Of the several religious
orders which Murat had suppressed. and
whose revenues he had made the prop
erty of the nation. These men pos
sessed great influence over the Italian
aristocracy M we'll as over the lower or
ders, especially in the provinces. and ex-
erclsed their sacred ministry to exasper-
ate their tlooks To rebellion. The moment
the establishment of the regency WAS otfi
cially announced the monks redoubied
their efforts III favor Of the expelled
Bourbops. and enrolled in the ,nspir &c,
every class of the people. from the dis
affected nobility down to military de-
~ rters and banditti.
The most influential of the monkish
agitators was Giusto CapeZZuti. formerly
of the order of st. Martin and for many
years the manager and treasurer OF all
the estates and revenues left for many
benefits of the poor. Not having been
quite faithful in the discharge of his
offices, Giusto amassea great wealth and
lived IN splendid aiiluence ut San Mar
callino, pretty village of Terra di La
voro. about ten miles from the capital.
All the inhabitants of the surrounding
country. and especially the brigands
who infested the marshes OF Patrla and
Capua, held him in great estimation,
and were so much under his influence
that they were ever re tdy to obey what
ever he should comm and. His villa be
came the ht adquarters of the principal
partisAns of ferdinand, the exiled mon
arch. then residing in Sicil,. and he
freely appropriated a portion of his vast
wealth To the purchase of arms and mu-
nitions for his willing followers. all of
whom were ready to commence the insur-
rection at any moment Fra Giusto might
command.
At length il was agreed that the grand
explosion should take place on the ami
versary Of Napoleon's birth-the 18th Of
AUGUST. 1872. Ii happened. however.
that the measures of the consprators
were not taken 80 secretly ~ to prevent
tn, ir proceedings from reaching the ears
of the Minister of Police. and before the
appointed day Fra Giusto Capezzuti and
other Of the chiefs of the rebellion were
arrested and thrown into the state prison
at Naples.
The friar bore this reverse with the
utmost fortitude. and. although prom
ises of parron were repeatedly made On
condition that he should betray the Sc
crets of the conspiracy. he indignantly
rejected them. Some of his fellow-pris-
oners were not So honorable. Having
been falsely persuaded that Capezznii
had become their accuser. they not ouly
avowed their own guilt but gave To the
Minister such Information a. enab I'd
him To arrest great portion OF the oon-
spirators who had hitherto escaped
and in few days no fewer than three
hundred and fifty individuals were cast
into prison.
menced instantly, and the Result Was
that one hundred and forty three per
sons were committed To take their trial.
amongst whom were some Of the first
mobiles of the land. tesides military of
ficers and even chiefs Of the police or
>harri. 10 try these cuiprIts ali of the
criminal courts were ordered by the Re
gent 10 sit three times week, and the
trials lasted from the Sd 10 the I'd Of
December. 1872.
Neanwhile the chief conspirato,s en-
deavored through their friends To cor.
rupt not only the juries bat the judges
by lavish expenditure of money in
bribery. They also retained the most
subtle and eloquent counsel in the king
dom for their defense. But these efforts
were useless. All We're found guilty of
high treason. The least calpsbie were
sentenced 10 imprisonment, for life: 9th
ers were condemned 10 the galleys. while
Giusto Capezzuti and forty seven more
of the leaders were Seute need 10 be gull
lotined.
All hope WAS not. however, given up.
Nv the French law. then III force In Ma
pies, the right exists IN criminal cases
of appealing TO court of cessation.
To this court the friends and counsel of
the convicted consp'rators applied for
new trial. on the ground IF informalities