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South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1832.

Guisepde Garibaldi was n man about whom many very diverse opinions were held, but to whom no one would deny the appellation of great, in a certain sense. He was a native of Nice, and the son of poor parents. His first movement, as a political unit, was to mix himself up with a conspiracy against* the king of.-Sar-dinia. After this be went through a considerable amount of “ knocking about,” and then passed over-, the Atlantic and took an active part in South American brawls. At this time he was followed , by Anita, Jiis devoted wife. Iri -18-18 he took-part in the resistance of the Romans against the French invasion, land underwent the greatest share of the hardships that befell the Romans when, the French having obtained possession of their city, they had to fly. In that flight from the victorious soldiers, his wife sank from exhaustion and dread, dying at a farm house by the road. Once more he returned to America, went into business, roamed about the States, returning to settle in the uninviting island of Oaprera. Here he pursued farming with success. At the commencement of the struggle that ended in the unification of Italy, Garibaldi organised a body of volunteers and took part in the fight at Magenta and Selferino, and other fields. In 1800 be began his victorious march through Italy. Landing at Marsala he fought every step of his way to Naples wliich the King (Francis II.) abandoned. After so complete a victory over tyranny and invasion, he declared Victor Emanuel, King of Italy. These great services nobody seemed ; disposed to reward, and the chief went back to his island home as poor and undistinguished as he had left. "When at length his native city, Nice, was with Savoy, ceded ,to France, he knew no rest until be should be in the field again. He published manifestos, he intrigued with his own countrymen, and with the Hungarians, with the hope of kindling one Avide-spread revolution throughout Italy. Forming a band of guerilla warriors, he engaged in several- rash enterprises, in one of wliich he was severely wounded in the foot. Although in his rashness he had been absolutely guilty of treason against the Government of Italy, he was pardoned in consideration of his great services in the cause of Italian independence, "When he visited England in 1864, he received such an jpvaHon as had never before been accorded to a visitor. His abrupt departure from England in the midst of this triumphal progress was much commented upon at the time. It was generally believed that the receptions he obtained in England were giving deep offence to some of the European Powers, who regarded him as a dangerous arch-rebel, and - that’ at their earnest solicitation be was asked to take himself off. Singular to relate, while the workmen of England received the great champion of liberty with the utmost enthusiasm, the aristocracy were no less ardent in their admiration of him. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland almost took possession of him. Again he was in the field against Austria. His achievements were glorious but notsucccssful. At length he came to the determination he had long cherished—to attack the temporal supremacy of the Pope. He denounced this in the most violent terms, and openly organised an invasion of the Papal States. Had the Government permitted this, there can be no doubt the Papacy would have received a blow from which it could never have recovered. But the Government forbade it, and arrested him, confining--him to his island home at Oaprera. From this, however, he escaped, and arrived in Florence. There he addressed inflammatory speeches to the mob, and proceeded to put his project into execution; ■ Followed by a huge band pf volunteers, he marched on the Papal States. At Monte 1 Rotondo he defeated the Papaltroops, but shortly after suffered a terrible defeat at their hands, twing to their superior equipment and organisation. He was then arrested and imprisoned. , At this point his Italian career closed. The French returned him as a member of the National Assembly, but where a priesthood existed he could not contain himself, and he consequently severed his connection with France. In his poverty bis' admirers flocked to him with pecuniary aid, and his countrymen made him a member of the Italian Parliament. Since then his life has been uneventful, and as his age increased it became evident that,he was gradually sinking. At length, but a few days ago, the end Las come. The figure of this remarkable man will long live in the traditions of Europe. His leonine countenance, Lis noble, frank presence, the familiar red shirt, made up a picture never to be forgotten by those who have seen it. Looking at the man in some aspects, it seems at first very hard to understand how he ever reached such a height of popularity. He was an unskilful general, a fire-brand in Parliament, and a dangerous subject to the Government. These qualities might have been expected to land him in life-long disgrace and imprison-, went. But beside these objectionable characteristics, Garibaldi possessed others in such splendid eminence as the world had never seen before. He was n patriot, a true singlcminded lover of his country , ho was a vehement hater and a fierce, fearless denouncer of tyranny, lie was the enthusiastic lover of liberty ; and, to crown all, he did what he did for his country,-—rashly, inadvisedly, but so freely, so fearlessly and with such magnificent scorn and recompense. This great champion was occupied with the attainment of popular liberty and in that dream lie disdained to care for himself. At an advanced period of his career lie was hi absolute poverty. The Government might and did resent his rashness, his intemperance, hk impertinence and spite towards others who in their way were also serving their country. A!! sensible men were shocked at las

. violent language towards Count Oavour, a statesman and diplomatist, and a patriot with as much love of his country, and for more discretion than Garibaldi. His inflammatory harangues to an excited and passionate people, his defiance of royal mandates, his constant bursting forth as a leader of insurrection, all these things were overshadowed by the magnificence of liis patriotism and love of liberty, and there were millions of the liardworked downtrodden populace of the Old World who blessed his name as a saviour. Wherever the cause ofdibcrty was rising against oppression, and striving to make headway, there the sword and services of Garibaldi were to be had. And when at length old age and infirmity had disabled him,, the magic of his great name, signed to a letter containing a few burning words of sympathy and encouragement, thrilled the popular party with delight; and ,seemed to rekindle their hopes and nerve them to fresh efforts. Thus, Garibaldi can never die out of the thoughts and grateful remembrances of humanity.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SCANT18820608.2.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2872, 8 June 1882, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,161

South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1832. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2872, 8 June 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1832. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2872, 8 June 1882, Page 2

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