The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-31

oInfionist There is a deep-set, irrecon-
ciiable antagonism between the CT uLcn;
which is the government OF caste, anu
democracy, which is the government OF
people"
GREETED Saffi. who was MazZini,s most
faithful disciple. that the philosophic
views of the great Italian thinker ana
patriot have been somewhat misunoef-
stood. Mazzini was deist after the man,
ner of Victor Hugo, he rejected all revealed
religion. The God of Mazzini was no more
the God of the Church of Rome than the
God of the Church of Rome was that OF the
immortal author of "La Legende des sic
cles." The republicans of the Mazzini
party found fault with Garibaldi for
inscribing on his flag the celebrated
motto, italia Victor Emanuel, when
he headed the heroic and legendary
expedition of the Thousand in Sicily. The
hero of the Old World and the New. the
great knight-errant of humanity, thought
himself in duty bound to sacrifice his re-
publican convictions that the indepen-
dence and unity of Italy should be insured
Plus TX and King Charles Albert in view
of wrestling Italy from the yoke OF Austria:
A few years later the two great factions OF
Italian democracy-one preaching revoiu-
ton and the other evolution-became
finally reconciled over the tombs OF MAJ
zini and Garibaidi.
Nearly the whole electoral body in Italy
is made up from the aristocracy, gentry
bureaucracy. Rather should we betray
surprise at the fact that the Italian demo-
Gratis, in spite of restricted suffrage and
any nominal voting, which IS favorable 10
the government, are so well represented IN
the parliament. The French republicans,
with universal suffrage, counted only i've
members In the legislative body during
the second empire. If all the democrats
in Italy voted with the same discipline as
the constitutional parties and with the
additional advantages of universal sur
frage, there can be no doubt that the Ex-
treme Left in the Italian parliament would
number at least $50 members. Without
universal suffrage the Italian parliament
will never be a true expression OF the as
pirations of the country.
1t is in upper Italy, in the marches of
Tuscany, and especially in Romagna- that
democratic ideas have made most head
way within the last few years. They are
even gaining ground in the southern
provinces, in Sardinia and in Sicily. The
Socialist party, If we except Romagna, Is
not very strong numerically. but its num-
bers will increase, because the misery IN
the country districts is very great through
out italy. An Italian patriot who resides
at Venice recently wrote to me. saying:
II think that Italy will have recourse TO
social or agrarian rather than TO politl-
cal revolution, because the sut1eringS OF
our country people are indescribable.
Democracy in Italy has few papers to
vent its grievances. There is no organ
with decidedly republican platform. The
iSecoIo, of Milan, of which NJ. Sonsagno Is
the wealthy proprietor, has by far the
largest number of readers: il prints on an
average 10000 copies day, big output
for Italy, where, compared with that of
other countries, the press in general may
-. ~ g.
Sec0lo IS the organ of parliamentary de-
mocracy but does not combat monarchical
institutions. Ii would willingly see NJ.
FelIice Cavalloti, who is called the Bayard
of Italian democracy, at the head of the
ministry in the country. This paper,
under the editorship of NJ. Teodoro Mon
eta, an apostle of peace and international
against the Crispi dictatorship.
The Uessd11eTo, the most widespread
newspaper at Rome among the popular
classes, has the same programme as the Sc
colo, but it is somewhat more socialistic in
its doctrines. 1t prints on an average u. coo
copies day. The Cdpitdle, since it was
coded by VI. Sonsagno to NJ. Matteo Re-
nato Imbriani, has become the organ of
the Irredentists. NJ. Imbriani may be con-
sidered in a measure the Deroulede
of Italy. The Diritto is the or
gan of the monarchicaI-democratic
IN lilo tempore, viz: 1t seeks to democra-
tie the monarch. La Lombdrdia. of Milan,
is a Observation-Disclosures newspaper sui
eeneTis. La TTibuna, of Rome. semi-rad-
ical paper, is, after the SecoIo, the most i'm
portant organ of the Italian press. IL
belongs to Prince Sierra, a deputy of the
dynastic left. 1t costs him upwards of
500 900 year. Its views recall those of
the Diritto, and 1t prints 10000 or 5000
copies day.
A large daily paper. with decided repub-
lican views, has never been able to pay its
expenses in Italy. II fdscio della Demo
crdzia. to which NJ. Alberto Mario was
one of the chief contributors, was estab-
lished at Rome several years ago, but il
soon went under. The infiiction of heavy
fines prevents republican papers from
reaching success in Italy. Liberty of the
press, like the right Of public meeting, is
there considerably restricted. No meeting
takes place except under the watchful eve
of the police, who forbid the speakers to
assail monarchical institutions. The Itai-
ian constitution IS merely the statute
granted 10 Piedmont by King Charles
Albert in 1s4S. Its clauses are far less lib
erai than those OF Belgium and Holland.
But one of the main reasons why the
democratic press has not been able to de-
velop itself in Italy is the ignorance of
the masses. Doubtless il will eventually
make Roadway there as in other civilized
CONuLEleSs WITH the advance OF instruction
and the political education of the people.
There is large number of weekly repub-
ican and socialist publications in Italy,
but they exert little influence. The most
important OF these democratic publica-
tons are II LuciferO at Ancona. and
LEmdneipdzi0ne at Rome, which follow
the tenets of MazZini. But democracy in
Italy is poorly represented by newspapers.
more poorly perhaps than any other
country, although believe it is fairly en-
dowed with associations.
There Is not town, village or hamlet in
Italy but counts several democratic groups
or societies Herein lies the force of
Italian democracy. Upwards of 1850
associations were represented at the demo-
cratic congress which was held at Rome
in May of last year. Italian democracy
has always betrayed lively and sincere
sympathies for the great people of the
United States. and has never ceased pro-
testing against those who attempt to be-
little those republican institutions TO
which that country owes its greatness.
power, wealth and present prosperity. In
no country has VI. Laboulaye's work, Paris
IN America" met with greater success
than In Italy. At all the democratic meet
ings NJ. Laboulaye's book was rec
commended as highly suitable for the
young, who might thus form = correct idea
OF American institutions. Professor Mar
tiDati, Of Florence, once delivered several
lectures on the subject The great majority
OF the Italian republican party is not
federaiisr, but in favor of union. es was
Mazzini. Italian republicans, however.
who are IN favor OF union demand "A