The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-08
THE FALL OF VENICE.
Humiliation of the Proud 0Iigarchy
by Bonaparte.
The French Conqueror Declared the
Inhabitants a Miserable. Cowardly
People. Unfit for Liberty.

Since the days of Carthage no Govern
had existed on the earth. AT its best it
was dark and remorseless; with the dis
appearance of its vigor it's despotism had
become somewhat milder, but even yet
no common man might draw the veil
from its mysterious. irresponsible coun-
ellis and live. A few hundred families adj
ministered the country as they did their
private estates. All intelligence all lib
erty. all personal independence. were re-
lightened from the mainland, many even
in the city, had felt the influences of the
time, and had long been uneasy under
their Government, however smoothly it
seemed to be running.
Now that the earth was quaking under
the march of Bonaparte's troops, that
Government was not only helpless. but it
actually grew contemplate in it's panic.
There was indeed the most urgent me-
cessity for a change. The Senate had a
powerful fleet, 5000 native troops, and
II, 600 mercenaries; but they struck only
futile blow on their own account, per-
hitting a rash Captain to open tire from
the gunboats against the French van
guard when it appeared. But immedi-
ately, as it in fear OF their own .emerity,
they dispatched an mbassy to learn the
will of the approaching General. That
his dealings might be merciful, they tried
the plan of Modena, and offered Bona
parte a bride of 100000 francs; but, as
in the case of Modena, he refused. Next
day. the General Council having been
summoned, it was determined by nearly
unanimous vote OF the patricians 600 to
ID that they would remodel their insttu-
tons on democratic lines. The pale and
terrified Doge thought such surrender to
be the last hope of their safety.
Not for a moment did Lallemont and
Villetard, the two French agents, inter-
init their revolutionary agitation in the
town. Disorders grew more frequent,
and uncertainty both paralyzed and dis
integra.ed the patrician party. A week
later the Government virtually abdicated.
Two utter strangers appeared in a
theatrical way at its doors, and suggested
IN writing to the Great Council that to
appease the spirit of the times they should
plant the liberty tree on the Place of st.
Mark, and speedily accede to all the
propositions for iberaliZing Venice
which the popular temper seemed to de-
mand. Such were the terror and disor-
ganizatiOn Of the aristOcracy that instead
of furnishing the intrusion by death, ac-
cOrding to the traditions of their merci-
less procedure. they took measures to
carry out the suggestion. Tho fleet was
dismantled and the army disbanded.
BY the end of the month the revolution
was virtually accomplished, for a rising
of their supporters having been mistaken
by the Great Council. in its pusillani-
nous terror, for a rebellion of their an
tagonists, they decreed the abolition of
all existing institutions. and, after has
THY organizing provisional Government.
disbanded. -Four thousand French SOL
diers occupied the town, and an ostensi-
bic treaty was made between the new
Republic Of Venice and that of France.
This treaty was really nothing but pro-
nunciamento of Bonaparte. He decreed
general amnesty to all offenders except
the commanders of Fort Luco, who had
recently fired on the French vessel. He
also guaranteed the public debt, and
promised to occupy the city only as long
as the public order required it. BY a
series OF secret articles Venice was to ac-