Guiseppe Garibaldi

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 67, 12 December 1932, Page 11

Guiseppe Garibaldi

Sir, —Professor F. P. Wilson is to be commended for the very interesting lecture, which be gave at the Victoria University College, on Giuseppe Garibaldi, the great Italian patriot, whose untiring efforts resulted iu the unification ci Italy. . , The professor was justified in remarking that he could spend au hour every night for a week, and still not exhaust his subject. Garibaldi, apart from the <■oloee.il task which he undertook in South America, and afterward for the Italian "Risorgimento,” will always, be remembered for his exceptional kindness, and consideration for others.

It is very desirable that, our attention should be drawn occasionally, to _ th.--eminent men who have done wonders for the world’s people, because we are apt. iu the complicated race for existence, to forget those Tritons. among the minnows who performed duties, and solved, problems which appeared an impossibility to others.' and it is well to remember that it was altruism and self-forgetfulness that led to their unforgettable successes. History reminds us of the important work which Garibaldi, who was. an intrepid generalissimo, arid an efficient navigator. did in South America for an oppressed people, and in his own country against Austrians, Bourbons, and the Vatican troops, who were assisted by th" French. It also tells us how in loiO-il Garibaldi, xvith his sou, Menotti and the Italian legion, fought ou the side of France against Germany. His persisted efforts at Montevideo resulted m tne State of Uruguay regaining its freedom, and in Italy he was mainly responsible for its unification. Although Garibaldi was a lover of peace, justice and right, he fully recognised the correctness of what a South American general had said to him. and that was:—“La guerra es la verdadura vida del hombre.” which means tha■war is the true life of man. Garibaldi had his mis and downs both . in South America aud in Italy. Hard times, sickness, lack of work, wounds, and even exile were not escaped. And it is greatly to be regretted that when Im was fighting in his own country, the jealousy of some Italian generals knew no bounds: they were disturbed bv Garabaldi s popularity and success in the field. Treachery was at work. and. nt Ospromnnte. in 1862. a stm. from the regular troops seriously woundcd the ireneral. This set-back mterofered with his work for four years but. as soon a< be could get about again, ho resume., the work of his life, ami that was tlm d.liverr of his country trom intruders, which was finally accomplished. Wo hear very little about the genera, s sea-faring life, but wo know that he followed bis father in that respect, and became an experienced navigator. In mar interest readers ot the J’ominion” to know that his vesse! passed verv near to New Zealand, that is mtween the Mainland and Auckland Island. on its way to Lima. . Garibaldi’s great work in Italy having been successfully accomplished, he retired to his island home on Caprera, oW the const of Sardegna. He died there ir June. ISS2. mourned by a grateful nation - Tnnl ' Ct ”'' SCOTTY NO. 1. Wellington. I )<'..ombm- G.