Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-05-26
SIGNOR CRISPI.
A Sketch of the Career of the
Italian Statesman.
HIS FAITH IN HIS COUNTRY.
f'ow From a Revolutionary COnspira-
&He Became the Premier of
Italy--His Character.

time when the control of the po-
,itical forces of Continental Europe ad-
a ably rests with some half dozen
rulers and statesmen, the personal char
acters of these arbiters OF destiny becomes
% matter of curious, if not OF important,
study. The world has heard praise and
dispraise enough of Prince Bismarck; ia
Francis Joseph I. it recognizes O. man
who excites universal respect, if not en-
thusiasm; while even a very tolerable
estimate is current of the Czar's disposi-
ton, in spite of the retirement which he
affects. But little enough is known,
even in England, where the advocates of
an Anglo Italian understanding are
numerous, of the newest associate Of the
European junto, beyond the fact that
Signor Crispi is a man of vehement
temper and an admirer Of the
German Chancellor. And yet the char
acter of the Italian Premier ia by no
means an element to be ignored in the
general situation. His impetuo5ity and
his arrogant tone have, to cav the least
of it, increased the chances of collision
between Italy and the French Republic,
while his treatment of Count Corti has
shown him capable, like Prince Bis
marck, of harboriug personal resentment.
1t is, indeed, a curious career which has
brought the -conspirator, Mazzinian,
Garibaldinian and journalist to the Ital-
ian premiership, and made the cham
pion of democratic radicalism the most
authoritative and despotic of ministers.
But it exhibits tendencies in Signor
Crispi which contribute not q little to an
estimate of his temper and probable
action in the future.
A Sicilian advocate by birth, Francisco
Crispi knew we'll for many years-to use
the figure of his national poet-how salt
the bread OF adversely can taste. Born
in 1919, and therefore Prince Bismarck's
Junior by four years, Bourbon rule in
Naples gave the future Premier an early
opportunity of learning the trade Ola
revolutionary conspirator, and supplied
him with knowledge which would be
useful to Mr.. Gladstone when he next
hunts for political parallels in Neapolitan
history. Signor Crispi learned his bust
ness we'll. In 1910 he was one Of
the torty-three conspirators excluded
from amnesty by the Neapolitan re-
action. He took refuge in Pied
mont; but even the Government
there found his presence inconvenient.
Paris was no kinder. After few domi-
ciliary visits, Napoleon Ills police gave
him notice to quit. London, however,
proved more hospitable. He made
acquaintance with Mazzini, and scoffed
at MANN, the last of the Doges, for his
theories of constitutional agitation. At
last, in 1859, he made his fret coup by
associating himself with Garibaldi in the
liberation of Naples and Sicily, and be.
coming member OF the Provincial Gov
eminent. He seems to have had even
less hesitation than Garibsldi, in
spite of previous expressions OF
undying republicsnism, in accounting
the hand held out by Victor
Emmanuel. Naturally enough Mazzini
danounced him for this, and subsequently
rejected with indignation the advances
which his old pupil made at later date.
But Signor Crispi WAS quite able to de-
fend himself. He Knocked at the MAJ
zinians as mere theorists, declared him
self to be above all practical statesman,
and asserted that the greatness and free
dom of Italy formed his first object. AS
long as that greatness could be achieved
10y the help Of the House OF Savoy, he
would remain faithful to the monarchy,
though for the institution itself he cared
little. :, -,
Here is the key to signor Crispi's life.
The greatness of Italy, per las ct nefes
(for he has used expressions amounting
to this), and deep conviction that he is
the only proper representative OF lta Ian
preatness-these are his master passi ons.
In pursuit of this grand object he has
never seen any difficulty in modifying
his political opinions, i'll revillng with
more than Sicilian fervor his old allies,
.or in reconciling himself, If expediency
suggests, with the objects OF his previous
,denunciations. His sublime self-con-
fidenee, at the same time, has made
him refuse all secondary positions
he will be first or nowhere. The turgid
language in which he has expressed
himself to this effect has often been ridi-
euled, and has sometimes been taken to
border on insanity. But, by dint of reit'
Grafton, be has impressed his own con-
,yiction on the country itself. During
Che sixties, SignOr Crispi was among the
leaders of the Extreme Left, and an
IShmaellt6 aMOnS JouAh1iinlo' iiO "'
tackled the moderate governments OF
Ricasoli, Rattazzi and Menabrea, with
the savagery of "una beStia feroce," as
was said ut the time; but, though often
deserted by his followers, and involved
in personal quarrels on all sides, the ST.
Gillian tribune was recognized as force
10 be reckoned with. In 1866 he exer-
eised considerable influence as the advo-
cate of a vigorous policy toward Austria,
and declared, in the style OF Prince
Bismarck, that Italy, above all things,
roseded "un bagno d. SGngue."
The transfer of the capital to Rome
oaclipsed him for time, partly owing to
;necuniary difficulties; for Signor Crispi,
whose personal as we'll as political con-
,ceptions are magnificent, had character
.istically built palace in Florence be-
nd his means. However, he gradu-
Syi,n ,,sumed activity as 6 by no means
~ benevolent critic of Signor DePretls,
~ ~ oa;c;sI head of his party. In 1875 he
was elected President Of the Chamber,
notwithstanding misglvings on ac-
count OF his violent temper.
He treasured the deputies IN
a famous comparison OF himself TO
Etna' His interior ardor, he explalned'
Ssoight consume him like the subterrah-
Iesn fires of the volcano; but his intellec1
would be cold and clear above the .u'
mult, ss the snow lies undlsturbed upon
the mountains summit. his position Vi
President gave him the opportunity Q!