Of course there are many obstacles to be overcome. Nevertheless before long that noble region will be irrevocably lost to the Bourbons, and regained for Italy. But what will become of the seven millions of Italians who still groan beneath the detestable tyranny of the Bourbons? It is now said that the Government, in order to gain time (as it did in 1848) intends putting on the mask of liberalism, and retains the Count of Syracuse as the principal actor in this impudent farce. He has a few adherents, and is not wanting in desire to represent a Louis-Philippe in miniature.
In the meantime the Mazzini set are agitating because they know that of the whole Italian territory the Southern Provinces of the peninsula are best adapted to their designs.
Neither are the partisans of Murat standing idle, but are working effectually in the army with the most seductive promises.
Finally, there is the Subversive (Sanfedista) Party, of the purest race, who would like to reserve for Naples the fate of Palermo, and who have decided to put the whole country to fire and pillage. You see, therefore, that there are four parties, all fairly strong, and all hostile to the true National Party, which solely desires the unity of Italy under the constitutional sceptre of King Victor Emmanuel. Any one who has any experience in political matters will easily understand that for this National Party to engage in the struggle with any hope of success it must be provided with ready means, otherwise the remaining divisions will pre-occupy the field, and the country, after going through twelve years of the most cruel despotism, will fall into civil war, and thence into the most frightful state of anarchy. The danger is imminent, and the remedy must be prompt. The numbers who have decided to undertake the enterprise amount to several thousands; but the pecuniary resources are most limited. Besides, it must be borne in mind that if delay is disastrous, to enter upon the task with insufficient means would be still more so, since a failure would lend strength to a detested Government, which is now tottering under the weight of its crimes, and which could never stand against a well-supported effort. In this state of affairs your political friends, of whom you have so many in that noble country, ought not to let slip this favourable occasion for assisting us—an opportunity which cannot again present itself, and of which others will avail themselves, to the eternal prejudice of Italy, unless steps be taken in time to prevent it. Nor do I think that they ought to be influenced by certain restricted views which several of them wish to put forward.
The only solution of the question is really the Italy of the Italians, which, far from compromising the peace of Europe, would serve to consolidate it by removing a continued incentive to foreign ambition. Once decide upon a policy of non-intervention, and the struggle between the two principles in Italy can neither be long nor sanguinary.
The liberal party in Europe will then count one more truly independent state, which will make its principles respected, and will certainly contribute both to their triumph and to the general development of civilization.
The Bourbons will be crushed, and to the great benefit of every one, since their detestable Government is incompatible with Italian independence. The most disastrous error of the times would be that of wishing to maintain them on the throne at any cost, because it would outrage the moral sense of the whole of Italy. Neither do I see the necessity of supporting and bolstering up a race which is the very incarnation of perjury. If the Bourbons were to remain in Naples, even with a fictitious constitution, they would sooner or later be supplanted by a Napoleonic régime.
Enthusiasm evaporates in time; but if we now follow up this terrible current which urges the main stream, Italy can be rendered free and united. If, however, the opportunity is allowed to pass, dualism, with all its terrible consequences, will be the result.
A thousand greetings to our friends! I embrace you heartily, and am ever
Your most affectionate friend,