The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-18
A Plea ron y8EzzA,s LIFE.
Crsare orrint Urges Gov. HIN 10 fsrdo,
nIs Conntrytnan-A Touching Appeal.

Csssre orsini Urges Gov. rsii 10 rsrdo.
uis Countrymau-A Touching Appeal.
Right Hoaoras. Governor.
1t may aeem strange to you that from such a
distance / address myself to you without any
Introduction or recommendation. These. how
ever. consider absolutely superluous. be-
cause only sound and honest arguments are
effective before an American magistrate.
tits an honest argument that intend to
submit herewith. right honorable Governor.
trusting you will not consider II overconfdent
on my part. but as evidence OF the high re-
epect which have entertained since my early
years for the great American nation. which has
such great influence upon the new European
generation.
It is to your most noble country. where I
passed the best years Of my younger life. that
am indebted for the conception Of some OF
the great enterprises in which have taken the
initiative. II may mention the Worlds Exhi-
bition at Rome the realization Of which should
have brought about the political and economi-
cal resurrection Of the capital OF italy, owe
the United States an everlasting debt Of grail
tude becausei Its magnitude. its great activity.
and its ever-rising civilization inspired and
strengthened me to promote. IL not to realize.
enterprises useful not only to the nation but
to human kind.
1have read in the New York papers that there
Is an italian named Nicola Trezza, who IL sem
fenced to death. and that the sentence has been
confirmed by the Supreme Court.
neither wish to argue nor to Investigate
whether. as some papers say. Nicola Trezza
was moro unlucky than guilty: he has been
tried and sentenced; this is the only fact for
me. do not contest whether or not no de-
serves this awful sentence. nor do intend to
a1ek - 1rA% 81,
heart.
know very we'll that an American magis-
trate. even when he feels pity for guilty man.
thinks 1t his supreme duty to apply the law
vigorously. because he knows that the legis-
lator. in debating the laws. labored with his
mind and heart to protect society from in
dividuals pernicious to its welfare. Therefore.
eloquent praises and historical evocations can
not and ought not move you. and I shall not
make use Of them.
The only argument that I wish to put for
ward shall submit to you as an illustrious
statesman who certainly Is called to still
higher position.
Modern Italian legislators. following the
philosophy. more sentimental than positive. OF
Beccaria. decided to abolish capital punish
ment American legislators did not believe In
this, and understand 1t was because Of the
great flood Of foreign immigration which.
though composed as rule OF good and honest
people. contained some pernicious and incor-
riglble elements.
Under no circumstances whatever. previous
to the slaughter Of the Italians in New Orleans.
did ever think Of wasting my time or sheet
Of paper In favor OF any Italian sentenced by
the courts OF the United States, because the
justice and learning OF American legislators
were In my belief a sure guarantee Of their i'm
partially and business. and possessed great
or value than the saving Of O sentenced wretch.
even were he countryman OF mine.
In Italy capital punishment was actually
abolished long before 1t was suppressed by the
law. For this reason cannot know whether
it was efficient or not, but from what have
read in books conclude that its efficiency was
very small indeed.
Should capital punishment really be efficient.
American law might succeed in cleansing for
eign colonies in general and the Italian colony
In particular by justly Furnishing the wicked
and destroying those nefarious elements which
are disgrace not only to their own nation but
to mankind. and injurious to the noble country
which welcomes them ana offers them fu-
ture.
Allow me. right honorable Governor. to d.
gress.
You know better than l do the effect upon
Italy Of the struggle Of the middle ages. These
struggles left her heap OF corruption. OF trea-
son. Of evils Of every kind which made our I'M
fortunate country the slave OF q thousand little
tyrants surrounded by spies. murderers. and
tormentors and who were themselves tile
slaves OF q foreign tyrant.
You also know that up to 1860. and even
1870. Italy was tyrannized. divided. and tram
pied upon by a group OF little despots. sup
ported by foreign armies. who used to put to
the edge Of the sword and the muzzle Of tho
musket her most beloved sons.
Add to all this theocracy. craving for m oney
and power. and you may form notion OF the
moral condition Of the Italian nation.
A few years are not sufficient to alter the con-
dition of nation Of thirty millions.
In reading these lines. right honorable Gov
ernor. no doubt you will say that lam not
consistent with my previous declaration. as l
have been speaking Of the history Of tho past
! had promised not to do 30. but I did SO be-
attacks upon Italy by many Of the Anne rican
newspapers which make no distinction be-
the whole nation and wheh
too too,d frequent. no doubt. but individual and
II you have not yet visited Italy. try and do
So and you will find in every city q generation
for your own country SO free and 30 great
italia ms 9vs 55espeet and dare say wor-
:, Italians remember that during the period of
their misfortune and during the bloody Aus
trian occupation from 1S4S 40 to 1850. at the
very moment OF danger, Il Minister, a Consul.
or Commodore OF the United States OF Amer
len used to appear and snatch from the hands
OF the foreign hangmen some precious victim,
some italian patriot, We ever profess q kind
Of nationa! religion for these noble deeds.
We nourish n sincere feeling OF respect and
gratitude toward the Uuted States for the de-
cisve impulse they have given to the civiliza-
ton VI the world by thoir free institutions I'M
alleged by privileges, and especially for tho
brotherly sympathy they showed the Italian
nation during It's long martyrdom.
This feeling OF the Italian nation manifested
itself most. evidently as soon as news Of the
slaughter In New Orleans. came here-a sad
slaughter. to be censured By all and no doubt
You have certainly read In your newspapers
the outbursts Of indignation from one end Of
Italy to the other when some young French
scoundrel. during the last pilgrimage. insulted
the tomb Of tho first King OF Italy by writing
nonsensical words In the book OF visitors ut
the venerated sepulchre.
During several days the hottest demonstra.
lions took place In all the principal cities OF
Italy. and popular ire was aimed against both
the temporal claims OF the Pope and the sym
patty which some powers seem to show for
Well. right honorable Governor. italian feel: