The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-07-01
DREAMER MAZZINl
CENTENNIAL TODAY
Friend of Man, Honored After
Death, Was Prosecuted at
His Great Work Sketch of
His Career, and What He
Accomplished For Humanity

day there was born in Genoa, Italy, a
prophet of humanity whose life was de-
voted to single purpose-the unifica-
ton Of his native land. His centenary
will be celebrated throughout Italy and
in many European cities, and this de-
spite or because Of the fact that for
years he was exiled from all countries,
save Great Britain. and even there the
liberty granted to others was curtailed
to him, his private correspondence be-
ing opened and read by government au-
thority. In life a homeless wanderer,
betrayed by friends, reproached by
those whom he had served and trusted,
reviled and rejected, his passing
brought forth evidences Of late belief
in his sincerity and recognition of the
work he had done in arousing the spirit
of nationality in Italian hearts. Eighty
thousand mourners followed his body
to the grave.
Joseph MaZzini was born In the Stra-
da Lonolllni, Genoa, June %, 1906 His
father. Giacome Mazzini, was a distin
guished physician and professor Of an
atomy in the university of that town.
His mother. Maria Drago, was wo-
man of great personal beauty, vigorous
intellect and deep affection. She was
the one person who throughout his life
never failed him. When his father,
hoping to turn him from the dangerous
course which he had marked out for
himself as revolutionist, espousing
the cause of the people against the
kings, refused to help him, she, through
pit1ful self-denials ennobled by the mo-
tive, saved money to send to her ex-
lied son.
AS a child, Joseph was delicate and
six years old before he could walk. De-
MED the ordinary amusements Of child
hood, his mind was precociously alert
and it is told of him that he could read
before he could walk. From the first
his was an intensely sympathetic ma
ture, early evincing interest in the I'M
fortunate. The first time that his moth
er took him out with her the child was
transfixed by the sight of an old beg
gar seated upon the steps of church.
The mother. fearing he was frightened,
stopped to carry him. He broke from
her and, running forward, threw his
arms around the mans neck. crying
out, "Give him something, mother, give
him something" The beggar, returning
the child's .caresses, said to his moth
er, Love him well, lady; he is one who
will love the people, The life of Jo-
seph Mazzini bore out the prophecy.
First of his tutors was an old priest,
who taught him little but Latin. His
love for books, however, took the place
Of many teachers. He often spoke Of
the eagerness with which he read phil
osophical and political pamphlets which
he had found hidden among the medi-
cal books of his fathers library. At 13
he was sent TO the University OF
Genoa, where he. remained for q. time.
but renowned his fathers profession
for the study Of law. During this peri
cd at the university the Piedmontese
insurrection of 1921 occurred. Many Of
the defeated 1evolutionists fed to
Genoa. One of them appealed to MAJ
zini Cor help. From that day his life
was governed by the idea that it was
his duty to struggle for the liberty of
his country.
Al" that time Italy was indeed a mere
geographical expression. Broken into
seven petty principalities, despotically
governed by masters who were In close
alliance with the Emperor Of Austria,
who encouraged them to keep their
subjects from exerting political power,
there was no Italian nation. The peo-
pie were Lombards, Romans, Piedmon-
tese, Neapolitans. sardindans-not Ital-
ians. There was no common center no
common flag nor law. Divided and
helpless, the people were dissatisfied
and unhappy, but having no common
aim or organization. their attempts to
better their condition, often resulting
in instructions like that Of 1921 in
Piedmont. proved futile.
Among the secret societies organized
to overthrow tyranny of rule and es-
tablish democratic government was the
Carbonari. Mazinni joined this society,
but did not admire it's complex ma
chinery and felt that an association
with a more definite aim was needed.
He had taken his degree and was adj
mttted to practice as an advocate, but
the fact of his membership In the Car
bonari having been betrayed, he was
imprisoned in the fortress OF savona.
His father, eager to know of what
crime his son was accused, was told
that "he was a young man OF talent
very fond OF solitary walks by night.
and habitually silent as to the subject
of his meditations, and that the gov
eminent was not fond of young men
Of talent the subject Of whose musings
was unknown to it,
From this Imprisonment dated MAJ
zini's republican apostolate. for here in
his cell he conceived the idea of the as
ISOLATION, young Italy," which had for
it's object the unification Of the king
doms, principalities and dukedoms along
the peninsula. To arouse the spirit of
nationality which would give birth to a
united Italy was to be it's work. Rienzi.
tribune of Rome had dreamed this as
far hack az the fourteenth century
Napoleon, when prisoner at st. Hell
ena, had understood its necessity when
he said Italy Is single nation; her
unity of manners. of language and Of
literature ought, at period more pr
less remote, to unite her inhabitants
under one government" But it was left
to Mazzini to form the association
which, more than any other. brought
about it's realization.
Released from prison. but restricted
as to movement. he left the country
and went to Marseilles, where there
were many other refugees. With these
L Z oh