Mackey – Encyclopedia Of Freemasonry Vol. 1

19oSECRET SOCIETIESnotably that of the operations of Charles Albert-was dueto the political intrigues carried on by the Mazzinists, whotampered with the fidelity and discipline of the Sardinianarmy. Mazzini, in those days, ruined the national cause,and rejoiced in that ruin, because he was not the leader ofthe enterprise. Later on, his Roman triumvirate led to theFrench occupation of Rome, and to the return to that cityof Italy's greatest curse, the pope . Many of Garibaldi'snoble efforts were thwarted or frustrated by Mazzini's revolutionaryfanaticism ; and yet-such is the mockery ofFate!-that selfish demagogue who, to gratify his politicalcrotchets, sent hundreds of misguided youths to a violentdeath, has a statue in the Palazzo del Municipio atGenoa, an honour which posterity will certainly rescind .Like O'Donovan Rossa, he planned his murderous schemesat a safe distance, taking care never to imperil himselfpersonally, and if danger came near, to run away . In theexpedition to Savoy in January 1834, Mazzini at Carrabrandished his rifle to rush to the combat, but was convenientlyseized by a fit and carried across the border insafety. In 1833 Louis Mariotti (a pseudo-name), providedwith a passport and money by Mazzini, attempted CharlesAlbert's life ; shortly after another man made the sameattempt-he had a dagger which was proved to have belongedto' Mazzini : this hero was one of the first to takeflight when Radetzky entered Milan . When in that cityhe thwarted the endeavours of the royal commissioners toprocure men and money, and fed the republican animositiestowards the Piedmontese in every part of Italy . The kingknew of the Mazzinian manoeuvres, and therefore did notmake peace after his defeat, for the republicans would havesaid he had thrown up the cause of Italy.585 . Assassination of Rossi.-This adventurer was bornat Carrara, and began his public career as a member of theprovisional government of Bologna, when Murat attemptedthe conquest of Italy . At his master's defeat, he fled intoSwitzerland, where the Diet entrusted him with the revisionof the pact of 1815 ; in the changes he proposed, radicalismwas carried to its utmost limits, and aimed at the overthrowof the Federal Government . With such antecedents, it wasbut natural that Rossi became a member of Young Italy ;though Mazzini placed no faith in him, for he knew that theci-devant Carbonaro had no fixed political convictions. Forthis once violent demagogue, having, in the July revolutionof 183o, assisted Louis Philippe to ascend the French throne,