Historical voices

It is not the want of will, but a deficiency in acting otherwise than by order.

It is the southern indolence, which soon gets the better of all good dispositions.

There were only two things to be done—either to try and get possession of Palermo by a coup de main, or else to withdraw and begin a regular organization in the interior, and form an army.

He told them that it was not his custom to have councils of war, but he thought it for once good to consult them, as upon the resolution taken must depend the fate of Sicily, and perhaps of Italy.

It is only in this irregular warfare that you see these scenes in their greatest perfection.

The word tent is erased from the military dictionary of Garibaldi.

They were all ready to join, but had no arms, which did not prevent their raising shouts for Italy, Victor Emanuel, and Garibaldi.

It was one of the finest sights you could see when their fires blazed up at night, and mingled their red glare with the pale light of the moon.

The people, although few, compared with the numbers which that large and fertile island might sustain under a better government, have made repeated and strenuous efforts to obtain their freedom, and submitted only to overwhelming and…

The cruelty of the government and its agents have surpassed belief.

Fellow-citizens, let not a man in Italy omit to contribute his mite to the national subscription; let not one fail to clean his gun, so as to be ready, perhaps to-morrow, to obtain by force that which to-day they hesitate to grant to our…

But, even should we all fall, we shall bequeath to future generations a legacy of hatred and vengeance against foreign domination; the inheritance of each of our sons will be a rifle, and the consciousness of his rights; and by the…

Whosoever attempts to gainsay this our determination will find that we will never be slaves, unless they succeed in crushing by force an entire people ready to die for liberty.

We desire to invade no foreign soil; let us remain unmolested on our own.

She does not know that in you there are the elements of a great nation, and that in your free and independent hearts there germinate the seeds of a world-wide revolution if our rights shall not be recognized, and if people will not allow…

Diplomacy still looks upon you as the handful of malcontents which she had been accustomed to despise.

The truce will not last long; old diplomacy seems but little disposed to see things as they really are.

Young men who have sworn to be faithful to Italy and to the chief who will lead you to victory, lay not down your arms; remain firm at your post—continue your exercises—persevere in the soldier's discipline.

For you, as for me, the greatest of all possible misfortunes would be not to be present wherever there is fighting for Italy.

In separating myself from you, whom I love as the representatives of a sublime idea—the idea of Italian deliverance—I am excited and sad; but consolation comes in the certainty that I shall very soon be among you again, to aid you in…

Although disappointed, by the imperfect accomplishment of the work of securing all Italy to the Italians, there was much reason to rejoice, that the overflowing fountains of human blood, which had exhibited a spectacle shocking to…

Be also proud of your success, proud of the results obtained, proud, above all, of being the well beloved children of that France which will ever continue a great nation, so long as it shall have a heart to comprehend noble causes, and men…

Italy, henceforth mistress of her destinies, will only have to blame herself if she do not regularly progress in order and liberty.

A general amnesty will cause to disappear the traces of civil discord.