The worst part of the whole story, in my opinion, was the subsequent
conduct of the Government. These outrages, which might have been excused
as the result of an unforeseen disturbance, obtained in cold blood the
deliberate sanction of the Vatican. The Papal gendarmes received the
personal acknowledgments of the Pope for their conduct. The six horsemen
who distinguished themselves by clearing the Piazza Colonna were promoted
for their services, and all the police on duty that day received extra
pay. With unusual promptitude, in fact not more than a week after the
event, the _Giornale di Roma_ contained an official statement of the
occurrence. After alleging that hitherto they had considered the
unpleasant event of too small importance to deserve notice, they proceed
to give the following narrative.
"On Monday, the 19th instant, in the course of the afternoon, the
revolutionary faction proposed to make a demonstration in the Corso
against the Pontifical Government, by an assemblage of persons hired
for the express purpose. On the discovery of these designs, fitting
arrangements were made in concert with the French police; and the
French troops, as well as the Papal gendarmes, were drawn up, so that
in case of need they might suppress any disturbance whatever.
"In fact, about five o'clock in the afternoon crowds were formed in
the streets, directed by leaders, and amongst these leaders were two
hide-tanners, whom the gendarmes arrested with promptitude.
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