The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-24

Giuseppe Garibaldi was prominently
a national hero. In his countrys long
and stubborn struggle for independence
and national unity. his were the stoutest
blows that were struck for freedom; with
hfs regiments OF devoted volunteers he
indicated Italian honor upon the battle
fields Of 1870. 1853. 1860, and 1866, winning
IN military annals a place among the
worlds great captains. while history has
not hesitated to rank him with the proph-
et MaZZini, the statesman Cavour. and
the honest King Victor Emanuel-the
makers OF modern Italy. writes H Mel
son Gay, in the Century. In the days OF
revolution and OF conflict his name was
the dread OF despotism. as It was the
nope OF the oppressed: and to-day in the
land Of his marvellous achievements II
justly symbolizes what is most Unselnsh,
most fearless, and most constant in pa
triotism and what is noblest in 6emoc-
racy.
But the genius Of Garibaldi was more
than national: his field Of chivaIrous ac-
zion embraced both hemispheres. and the
sympathies which the struggle for free
dom aroused in his generous heart were
universal.
Friend of All Liberty.
His blood was first shed in the cause OF
liberty upon the waters Of the La Plata
his last campaign was that OF the army
Of Vosges. The independence Of Poland
the independence Of Hungary, the free
L..
States Of the American Union-au these
were causes which deeply moved him. il
they did not actually secure the succoI
OF his powerful arm.
As an American writer declared wher
1t was proposed 10 erect a monument "a
Garibaldi in the Capitol al Washing
ton, He was the enemy OF all tyrants: M
hated every form of tyranny. political OF
Intellectual" And II was in honor OF
Garibaldi in this universal character OF
iiberatOr Of the oppressed, that the Sen
ate OF the United States. on August .
ISIS. voted unanimously 10 place his bust
in the east hall Of its wing Of the Capitol
But there is an unwTltten page o.
American history which bears more elo,
quent testimony TO American admiration
Of the italian hero as soldier and as
champion of freedom than any commem-
orative bust or eulOgistic discourse.
offered Command of Army.
In the summer Of 1866 President Lin.
coin appealed to Garibaldi to lend III,
power or his name. his genius. and hi.
sword to the Northern cause, and Offered
him the command of a Northern army
For reasons too obvious 10 require de-
tailed explanation. dispatches relating tC
this unusual negotiation between The
American government and a foreign gen.
eraI were vigorously excluded from the
published Diplomatic Correspondence
OF the United States. while newspaper
reporters Of the time had been unable
10 obtain official confirmation OF the per
sistent rumOrs that were In circulation
To many this appeal for assistance from
q European soldier seemed humillatine
70 the national pride; 10 have openly adj
mitted then the Overtures that were
made. would obviously have been e
acknowledge the military weakness oi
the North before the enemy; but TO-DAY
there Is no longer reason fox cOnCealinC
the facts in regard to the ofTer. The
attitude of our government was frank
and loyal The invitation which evinceC
its belief in Garibaldrs sympathy and
power to help In its hour Of direst need
was the finest foreign homage ever paid
20 the sterling character and military
genius OF the great Italian.