GARIHALDI AND THE ROMAN QUESTION

able fact helped to make the Ratazzi ministry unpopular.

Garibaldi’s name had been used as an incentive to those disturbances, and now the hot-headed general embarked for Sicily, to take the command of a troop who were bound for the Eternal City, resolved to eut with the sword the gordian knot of the Roman question. The government used energetic measures to maintain its dignity, and not allow an irregular warfare to be carried on without its sanction. The times were difficult, no doubt, and the ministry had a hard road to tread, but Cavour had gone through more critical times and had known how to make use of Garibaldi’s enthusiasm, to hold the seething révolution in check without appearing to do so, and to avert civil discords when they seemed inévitable. ‘ If Cavour had lived, we should hâve been in Rome within six months,’ said the king a short time after the death. It is not improbable that he would hâve brought the Roman question to a conclusion before the year was out, and so ‘ taken the wind out of the sails ’ of the republicans, prevented ail the troubles that the unsettled State of affairs occasioned, and thus hâve spared Victor Emmanuel the inexpressible pain of opposing his soldiers to the volunteers. Acknowledging the impossibility of guessing what contingencies might hâve arisen, as far as one can judge by probabilities, it is safe to say that if the great minister had survived another year or so the history of Victor Emmanuel’s reign would not hâve been blotted by the name of Aspromonte.

LIFE or VICTOR EMMANUEL IL

Royal Proclamation.

Italians, — In the moment in which Europe has rendered homage to the sense of the nation, and recognised its rights, it gricves my heart to see inexperienced and deluded youths forget their duty, their gratitude to our best allies, making the name of Rome a signal of war — that name to which are tumed ail our united efforts and thoughts.

Faithful to the Statuto to which I hâve sworn, I hâve held high the banner of Italy, made sacred by the blood and glorious by the valour of my people. No one follows this banner who violâtes the laws, and who injures the liberties and safety of the country, making himself judge of her destinies.

Italians ! be on your guard against a blameable impatience and imprudent agitations. When the hour cornes for the accomplishment of the great work, the voice of your king will make itself heard among you. Every appeal that is not his, is an appeal to rébellion, to civil war. The responsibility of it, and the rigour of the laws will fall upon those who do not hearken to my words. King by the choice of the nation, I know my duties. I must preserve the integrity and the dignity of the crown and of Parliament, if I am to hâve the right to ask of ail Europe justice for Italy.

Victor Emmanueu

Turin, August 3, 1862.