Joseph Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi

[The following is a letter from Joseph Mazzini , addressed to the London Agent of the United States Sanitary Commission]:

May 21, 1865

DEAR MR. FISHER: Has there been published, or is there about being published, a good, accurate, primary history of the late struggle, relating in one volume the events of the war, the progressive march which led to the solution of the tried problem, emancipation, and mainly, the noble individual and collective efforts, the money raised by voluntary subscription, the doings of the Sanitary Commission, and all that tends to prove the immense vitality of your republican principle? What you have done is so heroic, that I feel the profound necessity of having it properly known in all our countries, and especially in my own. We would translate and spread the book everywhere.

Your triumph is our triumph; the triumph of all, I hope, who are struggling for the advent of a republican era. Our adversaries were pointing to the worst period of the old French revolution as to the irrefutable proof of republics leading to terror, anarchy and military despotism. You have refuted all that. You have done more for us in four years than fifty years of teaching, preaching and writing, from all your European brothers have been able to do.

Complete your work. The United States stand now a leading Power in Europe, too, and power is duty. You are called on by God to enter a new career. Your function had been hitherto to constitute, to organize yourselves, and to realize, within your own boundaries, the republican principle which is your life. It was natural that, whilst doing that, you should carefully abstain from interfering with European movements or with the general march of mankind. That task is fulfilled; a second one must now begin for you. The life of a great people is two-fold: inward and outward. Such an amount of heroism and strength as has been displayed by the United States, must lead to more than to the solution of a mere problem of existence, and of an incomplete one. It is an implement given by God for the good of all....

Remember this. Remember us, who are ready to help in the task. And remember the plan of which the first line has been visibly written by European despotism in Mexico. Believe me, dear Mr. FISHER.

Ever faithfully yours,

JOSEPH MAZZINI

[The following is a letter from Giuseppe Garibaldi to an American envoy based in Turin, Italy]:

CAPRERA, ITALY

March 27, 1865.

DEAR MR. MARSH: The name of LINCOLN, like that of Christ, makes the beginning of a glorious era in the history of humanity, and I am proud to perpetuate in my family the name of the great emancipator. The journals and the men who have opposed the cause of the great Republic are like the ass of the fable that kicked the lion, thinking him dead; but now that they see her rise again in all her majesty, they will change their language. The American question is vital for the liberty of the world and its approaching solution must rejoice the hearts of honest men.

With affectionate emotion I kiss your lady's hand and am yours,

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Review

1. In what terms do Mazzini and Garibaldi portray the United States? How do they view the United States in its relation to Europe?
2. What are the responsibilities and tasks they see for the United States now that it has survived the ordeal of the Civil War? Do world leaders view the United States today in the same way Mazzini and Garibaldi did in 1865?