The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 998: Chapter 58: Changing Italy’s Destiny

Honored Excellency:

During my travels in Italy with my friend Sir Arthur Hastings, I expected to bask under the gentle sun of the Mediterranean, reminiscing about the civilization of Rome a thousand years ago amidst the warm welcome of the Two Sicilies people. However, at this very moment, what I see is not civilization, but the most barbaric, brutal, and darkest acts.

I truly do not know what emotions to face the trial case I witnessed yesterday at the Naples Court. Although this case seemed insignificant at first, it has grown increasingly serious, accompanied by distressing and disgraceful circumstances. I believe it is my responsibility to bring this matter to your attention, not only for those who have become victims but also for the common cause of justice and humanitarianism.

The specifics are as follows. Currently, about fifty to sixty locals of Naples City and the region are awaiting trial in the capital of the Two Sicilies Kingdom. The government has brought various charges against them and some others who have already been tried, with their crimes involving the highest-grade offenses included in the national laws.

These charges, or so-called charges, are difficult to describe accurately because the entire trial process is shrouded in darkness. But according to vague statements we heard from local residents, the main accusations seem to be incitement, conspiracy, and treason, and the local government provides evidence to substantiate these charges that is contradictory and unconvincing.

We need not delve into the authenticity of these charges, nor must we demonstrate the doubts someone might face when such accusations are made. No normal person can imagine that fifty or sixty people, who previously had no contact with each other, most living in the most ordinary living conditions, would suddenly come up with a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Perhaps they have a motive to do so, but no matter how imperfect the government of Naples is, no country on the European Continent can maintain general societal order more than it does.

However, regardless of the likelihood of the case, what I hope to draw your attention to is the nature of the trial itself.

The defendants have been affected by a system in the state prison that I can only describe as torture. They have undergone the most brutal interrogations designed by humans, and the authorities have done so solely to break their spirit and health. They have been deprived of all interactions with friends and relatives, isolated in darkness, and forced to engage in the heaviest labor for minimal food.

They have been handed over to some prison guards, who are a disgrace to humanity, products of a barbaric and inhumane system, and have implemented oppressive measures even more cruel than the orders of their superiors. After these political prisoners confessed, what awaits them is not only lifelong labor, exile, or hanging, but no rational person can imagine that the rulers of this country would order political prisoners to be packed into a cannon and shot into the sea!

Excellency, I do not wish to use exaggerated language on this issue. Nor do I want to harbor prejudice against the Naples government or incite any hostility towards it. But I feel obligated to expose the atrocities they have committed under its protection to humanity and to call upon all who respect the principles of justice and humanitarianism to raise their voices to protest these atrocities.

Merely condemning the actions of the Naples government is not enough; we must take steps to prevent them from happening again. We must inform the rulers of that country that Europe’s eyes are upon them; they cannot oppress and persecute their people at any cost; they must abide by the laws of humanitarianism and justice, or they must be held accountable for their actions.

I trust that Your Excellency will not consider me impertinent on this matter. I know that you have always been an enthusiastic supporter of the causes of freedom and justice, and I believe you will not refuse to lend your strong support to these unfortunate victims of tyranny and oppression.

— William Gladstone, 1851 “On the Persecution of Political Prisoners by the Naples Government to Earl of Aberdeen, the Prime Minister”

“The Times” Editor John Delane: “Not long ago, Mr. William Gladstone, the former Chairman of the Trade Commission, boldly exposed the actions of the Two Sicilies Kingdom in mutilating and mistreating political prisoners through his two letters, which not only stirred up a huge uproar in the entire society but also aroused the public indignation of all British citizens. We note that you were among those who accompanied Mr. Gladstone during his visit to Naples at the time. How do you view this issue?”

Sir Arthur Hastings: “Since I met William twenty years ago, he has always had this temperament of abhorring evil. Before stepping into politics, he had been devoted to saving destitute women at home and made every effort to help them return to a normal life, back to the embrace of the Lord and God. William’s accusations against the brutality of the Two Sicilies Kingdom Bourbon government are entirely due to his upright and righteous nature.

And this is not just his voice alone, but the voice of all people. The actions of the Two Sicilies Kingdom government have entirely placed themselves in opposition to human society. They can seal the mouths of the domestic populace with cannonballs, obscure the eyes of the foreign populace with eloquent deceit, but they cannot deceive the people’s William. I believe that Parliament and the Government will surely handle this matter properly.”