The Westminster Review. THE RELIGIOUS SIDE OF THE ITALIAN QUESTION. BY JOSEPH MAZZINI. I. I HAVE of late frequently been asked by my English friends why it is that I decline to return to my country, and to associate my own efforts for the moral and political advancement of Italy, with those of her governing classes. "The amnesty has opened up a path for the legal dissemination of your ideas," they tell me; "by taking the place already repeatedly offered you among the representatives of the people, you would secure to those who hold the helm of the State the support of the whole Republican party. Do you not, by throwing the weight of your name and influence on the side of the malcontents, increase the difficulties of the Government, and prolong the fatal want of moral and political unity, without which the mere material fact of union is barren, and unproductive of benefit to the people?" The question is asked by serious men NEW SERIES-Vol. VI., No. 5. Old Series Complete in 63 vols. who wish my country well, and is therefore deserving of a serious answer. Before treating the personal matter, however, let me say that since 1859 the Republican party has done precisely what my English friends require it to do. The Italian Republicans have actively assisted and upheld the Government with an abnegation worthy of all praise; sacrificing even their right of apostolate to the great idea of Italian unity, and patiently awaiting the result of the trial the nation chose to give to monarchy; resigned to endure any amount of misgovernment rather than afford a pretext to those in power for the non-fulfilment of their declared intention of initiating a war to regain our own territory and our own frontier; a war which they knew to be the supreme and sole condition of Italy's security and honor; and which, had it been conducted from a truly national point of view-would have wrought the moral redemption of our people. The monarchy had five years to prepare this war; unlimited supplies of money; an obsequious Parliament, and 33 |