New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-23
ITILTANS IND THE MAFIA.

The conduct of our Italian citizens since the
New-Orleans massacre has been Tor the most
part highly commendable. Their normal tenn
perament is the reverse Of sluggish, ana they
have been under the strain of great excitement
and lust indignation, but they have not forfeited
their own self-respect nor the good opinion OF
tbe country. A few unbridled utteranccs were
heard Immediately after the tragedy, but on the
whole. through their newspapers ana from pup
lie platforms, they have given assurance OF lheif
devotion to law and order. AT cooper mon OH
FRIDAY night, as at masS-meetlnSs IN other cues
thew expressed their natural feelings without
fear or restraint, denounced Ill the most EN-
phatic manner both the events of March IA and
tbe pretences Oh which those events have Deen
defended in some quarters and they are practl-
cally a unit in asking for reparation. But they
do not threaten individual reprlSalS or laWleSS
action of any sort. And thus they have earned
the right to a respectful consideration OF their
views and demands.
It is to be noted, however, that though Italian
citizens OF the United States, as a body, have
done nothing Of which they need to be ashamed
or of which others have a right to complain
thew have nevertheless omitted to do one thing
when WOulu nave SrSdtiN SSiNSV |hNN
popu!ar estimation, and which, moreover would
have tended to accomplish results OF importance
to good citizens OF every nationality. 1hey arc
not in doubt of the fact that not only IN New
Orleans but generally in large cities throughout
the country Italians of criminal anteccdeh's anu
nronpnsities are more or less closely affiliated Tor
the purpose of r~eluiting injuries and gratifying
animositieS by secret vengeance. These ofeahl-
cations. in common speech and belief, are con-
nected with the Malta, and that designation
fairly indicates their character ana motives
Through their agency the most internal crimes
have been committed and have gone unpunlShed'
They have succeeded in keeping their existence
and doings wrapped in mystery and darkness
and in the opinion of thousands who condemn
the Nev-Orleans mob a branch of the order is
Immediately responsible for the crime which the
mob avenged. And yet we have not hearo
from Italian newspapers and maSs-meetlngs a
single denunciation Of this secret, malignant
treacherous organization OF assaSsins.
Grant that the operations OF the Maila IN TINS
country have been magnified and distorted, tha'
it has no real existence in places where IL Is
.reputed to be strong, that many OF It's members
are not admitted to its inner councils, ana tha'
an Understanding execratlon would be unjust
The fact remains, established by evidence which
cannot be refuled, that bloody deeds without
number have been traced to a point at which no
doubt of their origin was left in the minds OF the
nest astute and experienced officers of the law
Why. then, should not reputable Italians who are
assembling to denOunce the New-Orlcans siaugh-
ter denounce at the same time the long series
of atrocities which preceded it, and the secret
agencies by which they were promoted and
Justice bailled? Such a course would win UNI
versal approval, and it would, moreover, at this
time, produce results OF lasting value.