THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
defense of the Church, of the Pope, and of his own line of conduct, were unanswerable.
"I have lived twenty years in Turin and have written, spoken and acted openly; I defy anyone to quote a line, a word, an action, which deserves censure from the government. If otherwise, let proof be given: then, if guilty, I submit to punishment; but, if innocent, let me be permitted to continue my labors without annoyance." Count de Cavour, who had listened with respect, for he was friendly to Don Bosco, assured him in the end that his work would be left unmolested, but exhorted him to prudence in those trying times, and as the priest retired both ministers rose and shook hands with him. Many orphans made by the battles of Magenta and Solferino found shelter in the Oratory, where they were received with open arms.
The Government Deputy Ellero writes: "Scarcely any reading has so profoundly impressed me as that of the few notes left by Don Bosco on the subject of education…… notes which owe their immense value to the fact that their author was not an idealistic dreamer, but rather an idealist full of reality, the animating spirit of a marvellous human work which few thoroughly understood, and in regard to whom, that impartial and generous spirit Cesare Lombroso had no hesitation in assigning one of the first places among the few who have attempted, initiated, and efficaciously evolved a national system of correction and rehabilitation." Another testimonial of profound
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