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THREE
Mazzini - Cavour - Garibaldi
MAZZINI
The state of Italy now is the proof that my teaching was needed. Machiavellianism rose again in the policy of Cavour, and Italy,
grasping too eagerly at the speedy fruit of her efforts, fell from the
clearness of the revelation that I gave her. Therefore she suffers. We must work
for the fruit, but there must not be such attachment to the fruit that to hasten it the true means is sacrificed, for
that leads eventually to the sacrifice of the true end.
CAVOUR
The state of Italy is the proof of the soundness of my policy.
Mazzini, you speak still as the ideologist, the man of notions.
The statesman recognises ideals, but he has nothing to do with
notions. He strikes always at his main objective and is willing
to sacrifice much in details.
MAZZINI
What you say is true, but the sacrifice has been not of details but
of the essential.
CAVOUR
Italy is one, Italy is free.
GARIBALDI
The unity was my work. I did not use Machiavellianism or rely
on statecraft and kingcraft. I did not buy liberty by mutilating
my country. But I called to the soul of the nation and the soul of
the nation awoke and shook itself free of the great tyrants and the
petty. It was on the heroism and kingliness of the Italian soul,
the resurrection in Florence and Rome and Naples of the ancient
Roman, Etruscan and Sammite that Cavour should have relied,
not on the false-hearted huckster of States and principalities,
Louis Napoleon.
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– 480
MAZZINI
Italy is one, Italy is free, but in the body, not in the soul. Garibaldi, you gave united Italy to a man, not to the nation.
GARIBALDI
I gave it to the King and hero, Italy's representative. I do not
yet think that I did ill. The nation said, "He stands for me",
and as a democrat I bowed to the voice of the nation.
CAVOUR
It was the best-inspired action of your life. If there are problems
unsolved, if there are parts of the body politic that are still ailing, that was
to be expected. Only the dreamer demands a rapid convalescence from a disease so long and wasting. We did the work
of the surgeon, that of the physician is being done quietly and
without ostentation.
MAZZINI
Italy has not fulfilled her mission; my heart is full of sorrow
when I look upon her. She whom I would have educated to lead
the world, is only an inferior Power leaning for support upon the
selfish and unscrupulous Teuton. She who should have reorganised government and society into a fit mould for the ideas of an
age of emancipation, is a laggard lingering in the steps of the Gaul
and the Saxon. She who should have been the fountain of a new
European culture, hardly figures among the leaders of humanity.
The semi-Asiatic Muscovite is doing more for mankind than
the heirs of the Roman.
CAVOUR
The statesman must have patience and work quietly towards his
goal, securing each step as he goes. When the economic ills of Italy have been
removed and the Church no longer opposes progress, the ideal of Mazzini may be fulfilled. The brain and sword
of Italy may yet lead and as of old refashion Europe.
MAZZINI
It is not the diplomatist and the servant of the moment who can
Page
– 481
bring about that great consummation, but the heroic soul and the
mighty brain that command Time and create opportunity. I
sought to cast Italy into a Roman mould. I knew that a third
revelation had to be made to Europe and that Italy was the
chosen channel. So I was told when I went down from this world
of the ancients to be born again into humanity. "Twice has
Italy given a new civilisation to Europe, the third time she shall
give it." The voice that speaks when we are sent does not lie.
CAVOUR
No, but the fruit does not always come at once. There is sometimes a long probation, a slow agony of purification, and the
thing destined seems a dream that has come to nothing. We
have to work knowing that the fruit will come, not impatient, not embittered and
disappointed by its postponement. It is possible we shall be called again to bring about the consummation.
We have helped Italy always; once more we shall help her.
MAZZINI
I know not, but the days grow long to me in the world of the
Happy. When the call comes, I pray that it may be to conquer,
not by diplomacy but by truth and ardent courage, —
GARIBALDI
Not by bargaining but by the sword of the hero, —
MAZZINI
Not by kingcraft but by love for humanity and a noble wisdom.
CAVOUR
I shall be content, so that Italy conquers.
GARIBALDI
When the sword that was struck out of her hand by the Abyssinian, is lifted again, I shall be there to lift it.
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– 482
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