The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1895-06-08
THE FALL OF VENICE.

Complete Humiliation Of the Proud
Oligarohy by Bonaparte.
Aabitants . Miserable. Cowsrdly Pso-
pie, Unflt for Liberty - Oesu-
pancy BY the Trenah.
Since the days of Carthage, no gov
ernment like that Of the Venetian
ol;garchy had existed on the earth. At
its best it was dark and remorselesE
with the disappearance Of its vigor its
despotism had become somewhat
milder, but even yet no common man
might draw the veil from its mysteri-
GUS, irresponsible councils and live. A
few hundred families administered
the country as they did their private
estates. All intelligence, all liberty, all
personal independence, were repressed
by such system. The more enlight-
ened 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 qualking un-
der the march of Bonaparte's troops,
that government was not only helpless,
but it actually grew contemplate in its
panic. There was, indeed, the most
urgent necessity for q change. The
senate had powerful feet, three
thousand native troops, and eleven
thousand mercenaries; but they struck
only single futile blow on their own
account, permitting a rash captain to
open fire from the gunboats against the
French vanguard when it appeared
But Immediately, as if in fear of their
own temerity, they dispatched an en-
bassy to learn the will Of the approach
ing general. That his dealings might be
merciful, they tried the plan of Modena.
and offered Bonaparte bribe Of seven
million francs; but, as in the case of Mo-
dena, he refused. Next day, the grand
council having been summoned, it was
determined by nearly unanimous.
vote of the patricians (six hundred and
ninety to twenty-one) that they would
remodel their institutions on demo-
cratic lines.
Not for moment did Lallemont and
Villetard, the two French agents, in
termit their revolutionary agitation in
the town. Disorders grew more fre-.
quent, and uncertainty both paralyzed
A week later the government virtually
abdicated. Two utter strangers ap-
peared in 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 liberalizing Venice which the popu-
lar temper seemed to demand. Such
were the terror and disorganization OF
the aristocracy that instead of punish
ing the intrusion by death, according
to the traditions of their merciless pro-
cedure, they took measures to carry
out the suggestion. The feet was dis
mantled and the army disbanded-
BY the end Of the month the revolu-
tion was virtually accomplished; for =
rising of their supporters having been
mistaken by the great council, in its
pusillanimous terror, for rebellion OF
their antagonists, they decreed the abb
clifton of all existing institutions, and.
after hastily organizing provisional
government, disbanded. Four thou
sand French soldiers occupied the
town, and an ostensible treaty was
made between the new republic OF
Venice and that Of France.
This treaty was really nothing but .
pronunciamentO of Bonaparte. He
decreed general amnesty to all of
tenders except the commanders of Fort
Luco, who had recently fred on the
Preach vessel He also guaranteed
the public debt and promised to 90
cupy the city only as long as the public
order required it. By series Of secref
articles Venice was to accept the sfipu-
lation of Leoben in regard to territory,
pay an indemnity of six million francs,
and furnish three ships Of the line and
two frigates, while, in pursuance OF
the general policy Of the French repub-
lie, experts were to select twenty pho
lures from her galleries and Ave hum
dred manuscripts from her libraries
Whatever was the understanding od
those who ngned these crushing con.
ditions, the city was never again
treated by any European power - Al
independent state. Soon Afterwards I
French expedition WA dispatched 4
occupy her island possessions In the
Leyant. The arrangements had beer
carefully prepared during the ver1
time when the provisional government
believed itself to be paying the price q
IS new nbertiea- And earlier sti1l -or
May 81, three days before the abdice
ton Of the aristocracy-B -BouAparte hA1
/ already offered to Austria the entir>
/ republic IN It's proposed form as IN ex
I change for the German lands on thl
left hank Of the Rhine
Writing to the directory On that day
| he declared that Venice, which ha(
+ been In decline eve4 since 'sthe dis
! covery of the Cape Good Hope and tn
! rise Of Trieate and Alcona. can witl
difficulty survive the blows we hay!'
Inst riyen her. Thds miserable, coward
! u people, unit III liberty, and With
4 oot 1nnd oe wae It sDenas natuf1l't Il
/ ms hat ~ shou3d hasad them ossr u
thosa who hnve|reoeived their nnain1anl
! 1scmno. We shAA falEe Al thair ships
{ No 1zall daepcn their nEsenal, we sba]
reznoxe III t1eir canaon; - ahal
wreck thear btnlk. W: ealAl1 keep Cora
S e1d AncbcIa ~ 6tRf1e1yens
/ O. ~ 1efh ! 1ettGr - hi ssls1ndt
/ I / ~ NeIe 4s ruyi ional ootWu
/ Il, ~ 1nk l1a tet As sgtp3!
81 & .|!l d : e s. tasl s