When one thinks upon the hardly accomplished union of this our Italy,
and of the rulers who have "led" her over the thorny path she has
trodden, one can not but bow before the wisdom of Providence, who has
uplifted her until she has constituted herself a nation.
Often in meditating upon this--our beautiful, grand, but unhappy native
land--we in imagination have pictured her as a chariot drawn with
patient toil by the generous portion of the people, having for device
the "good of all," preceded by the star of Providence like a shining
beacon, with the wicked host of rulers and their immense retinue
following behind, disconcerted and fatigued, holding on to and
endeavoring to draw back the vehicle of the State, even at the risk of
destroying it in their efforts; while the people, impoverished,
checked, and humiliated by that heavy rabble tugging in the rear, remain
submissive and constant in their labors, clearing away the obstacles
that cross their path towards redemption, and proceeding gradually
forward without despairing of a future reparation. Reparation, indeed!
From whom, my countrymen, do you expect reparation? From the re-assured
professors of priestcraft, of Jesuitism, and of imposture, who have been
restored to your towns and villages at the expense of your patrimony to
maintain you in ignorance and in misery?
One of the many means of corruption employed by the powerful to render
the populace slaves, is at the present day the "black division"--the
priests. Kings who no longer believe in them have begun to use them to
control the people, and keep them from justice, light, and liberty, in
the name of "religion." This is the "reparation" which thou awaitest,
_popolo infelice!_ Reparation--and how shouldst thou demand or deserve
it, who kneelest daily and hourly at the feet of a lying and chuckling
priesthood?
In the mean time, however, one of the agents of this priesthood is
walking, with his wicked head held down, in the grasp of Orazio and
Attilio; Muzio going before to open the way through the multitude of
people, and thus the four arrived finally at a tavern in the Vicola
degli Schiavoni.