522 
to reply, ‘‘that,the representatives, of 
the, people were firmly convinced, that 
many, reforms, required by experience, 
if, performed with mature deliberation, 
would prove yeryiuseful to the state ; 
and that)thesprinces and) people, of the 
two Sicilics dhad sever. professed: religi- 
ousomoderation so far as not to disturb 
the peace.of (any, one.”’ ‘Thus, hinting 
the. intention.of:the parliamentary. ma- 
jority to attempt that, religious tolera- 
tion at Naples, without which it is very 
questionable ,whether a Catholic state 
can become, orlong continue, free. 
. The parliamentary career of Galdi 
was not distinguished either by saga- 
city.in discerning the very perilous 
situation of the two: Sicilies, become 
free, or by boldness,of counsel in at- 
tempting to extricate them, if not with 
perfect, success, at least with greater 
honour. His conduct, like’ that of the 
Majority of the: Parliament, consisted 
in; pertinaciously sticking to the con- 
stitutional right, Jet-what would.be the 
daily increasing difficulties of the state, 
or in transgressing it only from a feel- 
ing of indulgence for power. Galdi 
Kittle, believed, the war of aggression 
against Naples, alleging the very 
aflirmation,.of. the ministry, ‘‘ that 
firmness and moderation on the part 
of the. Parliament would overcome 
every diplomatic difficulty.” He trust- 
edalso that the force of liberal opinions 
in Europe should add some weight to 
justice, if justice ‘alone should not 
prove sufficient, . Yet, this man, now 
so, credulous, had .grown old amidst 
‘the artifices; and outrages of politics. 
Qne, principal cause, however, of the 
ruin impending over, the free govern- 
ment of ‘Naples did. not, escape him ; 
namely, the criminal, jealousy, enter- 
tained by! Carrascosa,against William 
Pepe, which was, the,seeret spring of 
his, whole conduct,, both,as a minister 
and, as;a,general.,,Galdi ,was, often 
heard to ,exclaim, {in the. secret icom- 
mittees ofthe Parliament,‘ the-very 
powers of this man, for. which we|most 
trust. him,,; will), turn,|; against, our 
country.” og otis 
, Galdi had, been long employed, both 
at home and abroad under the Freneh 
government; hence. he-had contracted 
that esprit de corps, which is so. natural 
to, men united in the same interests, 
and so conspicuous in that compact 
body of public functionaries, first 
started up in the French republic, and 
then increased to a swarming number 
by Bonaparte, in support of his power. 
Account of Matteo Galdi,the Neapolitan Patriot.  {July.4, 
Galdi, looked )upom alki;the )sineeure 
oftices-leftsby,the French asnecessary, 
and upon all,the menwho filled them 
as patriots, because’ they had; heemthe 
companionsy ofhis:politieal career. 
‘This: blind predilection for pono 
of power was eallediby the people iat 
‘Naples, ¢fthemalady of funetionanies.” 
Galdi« obstinately,.opposeds anyo1é- 
trenchmentin :the public: offices); al- 
though imperiously, demanded bethiby 
the embarrassment of the finances,and 
still: more: by the nature yof) aofreengo- 
vernment;,and; omevery oecasions die 
judged, with: an impolitic, mildness-the 
faults of the aministry.9»Whéiuthe 
executive government; failed: in«the 
attempt to overthrow, the, constitution 
by the message.of the: 7th, December, 
1820, by which a vague and :“condi- 
tional” promise wassubstituted for the 
acknowledged law of the istate, |The 
king was left to depart)the kingdom, 
and the representatives of| theopeople 
were forbidden, any, longerito: delibe- 
rate; the ministers fell, and itwas:pxo- 
posed to impeach them \in: parliament. 
Two of them, most guilty-accordingyto 
law, Count Zurlo of the home |depart- 
ment, and the Duke of Campochiaro 
for foreign. affairs; were, > called :to 
the bar to answer for that treasonable 
coup de main. Galdi,though the secret 
enemy of Count: Zurlo, then defended 
him. From the tribune,addressing his 
discourse to the young men in the gal- 
leries, who, from their virtuous want of 
corrupting experience, could hardly 
suppress their indignation: at) seeing 
those illustrious, criminals acquitted, 
he said. to them, ‘‘‘Let him, whos fééls 
his,.conscience free from any: faultac- 
cuse the fallen ministers with severity.” 
This new proof of the: amiable philoso- 
phic. character,of; Galdi, shews, at the 
same time, 'that:he little understeod or 
remembered how. necessary.it»is, for 
establishing liberty where: power. has 
long; been unrestrained, to set a high 
example of legal! severity upon | the 
powerful.,; That.desperate attempt at 
a counter-revolution, having, cemained 
unpunished; brought, the parliament. 
into.contempt with the! court... The 
friends, of the public cause were dis- 
couraged, )the domestic enemies: be- 
came, more} daring,| and succeeded, at 
last, by secret negligenees or open acts, 
in overturning the-constitution;though 
it, was by. delivering up) the/state to a 
foreign enemy. ,; Galdi did not oppose 
the king’s departure.. The majority of 
the parliament, most of the publie 
men, 
