The Federalists must be hard run for military leaders when they have to apply to that defeated, wounded, captured, played-out
European brigand,
Garibaldi, to come over and occupy a position in their army.
And in accepting such an invitation,
Garibaldi gives the best proof that his fortunes are as desperate in
Europe as those of his new allies in
America.
We long ago regarded
Garibaldi as a brave adventurer — nothing more — of execrable politics, and, as a military man, a huge humbug.
This last fact has been made so evident by the circumstances of his late capture' that his best friends can hardly have the face to claim for him any quality of a leader except that valor which is common to soldiers as well as
Generals.
He is not even a sagacious politician, or he would never have undertaken his last enterprise.
Red Republicanism has seen its last success in
Europe, and henceforth
America is to be the theatre of its demoniac energies.
The convulsions of the times present a favorable opportunity for its introduction upon this continent; and if all the horrors of that hell upon earth, the first
French Revolution, are not let loose in
America, it will not be because the elements for such a conflagration are lacking, or because there are no devils to stir up the fire and brimstone.
The Red Republicans of
Europe act wisely, however, in transferring their battle-field from the Old World to the
New. If their co-operation with the
Federal Government could accomplish the reconstruction of the
Union, a Power could be created on this continent which would ultimately overthrow every throne in
Europe.
It is strange that the instincts of
European sovereigns do not impel them to be as wise in their generation and to strengthen a cause in
America in which is involved their own preservation.
