Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-31
was signed and the Italian regiments

was SibbSd anu tue tSBhhcae'
| entered Rome on all sides.
Hardly had the first battalions OF the
| enemy arrived upon the Piazza Barberini
before a compact mass OF Roman emigres
and former Garibaldians-peopie for the
| most part OF a hard-looking aspect
dashed ahead Of them through the streets
and came upon Rome like furious storm.
A great many windows were broken; the
Pontifcal arms were torn down ana
thrown on the ground; and the barracks
| Of the gendarmes OF the Piazza del Po-
polo were pillaged. But soon the troops
arrived and put an end to these ex-
cesses, which. after all, were not serious.
In justice 20 the Italian troops, II Is
necessary to say that the moment they
entered Rome the soldiers. with lew eA-
ceptions, Immediately re-established oruer
In the city.
But then pretty soon another phase
succeeded the first one-a phase stupefy-
ing for all who believed that the Romans
of Rome were seriously attached to the
Holy See and the old Pontin Plus TX.
"A few days before, on the uth OF
September, We were present at the In
auguration OF the Acqua Pia. The Pope
was present Already the enemy's cannon
could be heard laundering in the distance.
and We had ali noticed the extraordinary
enthusiasm of the crowd and It's tesh-
mony of affection and devotion. More
over. three days afterward Plus IN. pass
ed In his carriage and on foot through
the streets of the capital We saw all
classes of society united in one sentiment
Of respect and sympathy. The young
men wanted even 10 unhitch the horses
of the carriage and carry the Pope In
triumph. And really we were ali per-
suaded that the immense majority OF the
D. a -.
Now, on the Goth day of September.
1870. before II o'clock, one might truly say
that the cock OF ST. Peter had already
crowed three times. II Is impossible TO
deny II. Rome was transformed and the
greater number of the Romans welcomed
the enemy as a liberator While at
O'Clock in the morning one single tri-
colored flag was seen in the city. with the
success above detailed, at u O'Clock 1000
flags of the same character were waving
IN the wind. They were seen at all the
windows and on all the buildings, and
the same enthusiastic crowd saluted
with its joyous clamors the victorious
roops, embraced the soldiers. gave them
brindsi. and sang patriotic songs.
Where did the flags come from? How
did the people learn so quickly all these
songs? But such was the spectacle that
We witnessed.
1T will be said, of course. that they
were not the same people who cheered
the Pope three days before. But, pardon;
yes, they were just the same. or at least
L very large portion OF them; and this
psychological phenomenon can only be ex-
planned in this way: The southern people
are all impression and sensation. Joy with
them is contagious. They become excited
by movement. by shouts. and by the sun
ioh rhn Mt lin fhA alft 10
and the atmosphere radiant. are bound to
cheer somebody or something. and all
that without changing their real convlc-
tons in the slightest degree.
"On the morning of the 2lst we awoke
with sad hearts and a heavy weight of
Encouragement on our shoulders. All that
line little army was a prisoner. and a
prisoner without having fought as II de-
sired. The heroes of Castelfdardo could
At least die said Adelbert to me. but
we have to give up our arms. What sac
riice! 1t is the most cruel that the Pope
.ould possibly exact from his army At
J O'Clock there was tremendous clamor.
II was Plus N. who appeared at the
balcony TO look for the last time upon his
faithful troops and to bless those who
only hoped TO die for him. At that mo-
nent all hearts were electrified. My chill
iren.' said Colonel Allet. let US all cry
Long live the Pope. long live our
King. The shouts were given with a
will, and fell resoundingly upon the ears
Of the dethroned sovereign, who looked
down upon his troops in sadness. The en-
tire army was up. palpitating. and furi-
,us on. If they could only break that
oapltulaton.' shouted the soldiers. what
enemy could resist the fury of this de-
soair?
But suddenly the drum beats and the
-rumpets call. and the officers order the
oldiers to fall In. This was the final
nartyrdom. They were bound to defile
before the enemy and lay down their
rms. Outside Of the Cavallegieri gate the
roops detiled slowly before the Italians
resenting arms The Zouayes remained
self-posSessed and silent but a few OF the
foreign legion less disciplined insulted
the soldiers. Finally the arms were laid
Down in a heap. and over them were
thrown the flags Of white silk which en-
yeloped them like a shroud. 1t was all
over; the Pontifcal army was no more"