CHAPTER LIII. THE "GOVERNMENT"
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 hastrodden, one can not but bow before the wisdom of Providence, who hasuplifted her until she has constituted herself a nation.
Often in meditating upon this--our beautiful, grand, but unhappy nativeland--we in imagination have pictured her as a chariot drawn withpatient toil by the generous portion of the people, having for devicethe "good of all," preceded by the star of Providence like a shiningbeacon, with the wicked host of rulers and their immense retinuefollowing behind, disconcerted and fatigued, holding on to andendeavoring to draw back the vehicle of the State, even at the risk ofdestroying it in their efforts; while the people, impoverished,checked, and humiliated by that heavy rabble tugging in the rear, remainsubmissive and constant in their labors, clearing away the obstaclesthat cross their path towards redemption, and proceeding graduallyforward without despairing of a future reparation. Reparation, indeed!From whom, my countrymen, do you expect reparation? From the re-assuredprofessors of priestcraft, of Jesuitism, and of imposture, who have beenrestored to your towns and villages at the expense of your patrimony tomaintain you in ignorance and in misery?
One of the many means of corruption employed by the powerful to renderthe populace slaves, is at the present day the "black division"--thepriests. Kings who no longer believe in them have begun to use them tocontrol the people, and keep them from justice, light, and liberty, inthe name of "religion." This is the "reparation" which thou awaitest,_popolo infelice!_ Reparation--and how shouldst thou demand or deserveit, who kneelest daily and hourly at the feet of a lying and chucklingpriesthood?
In the mean time, however, one of the agents of this priesthood iswalking, with his wicked head held down, in the grasp of Orazio andAttilio; Muzio going before to open the way through the multitude ofpeople, and thus the four arrived finally at a tavern in the Vicoladegli Schiavoni.