The Appeal of a Strong Man: Mussolini and the Fascists Praised in 1923

In late October of 1922 the Italian Fascists marched on Rome and took over shortly thereafter.

Nearly a year later, a Salemite had visited Italy and on his return published his report on the Fascist movement.

September 18th, 1923

100 years ago on September 18th, he was rather complimentary.

To be sure the victory of the fascisti is new and strange and is criticised by many. So far it seems to be a one man government, which is always dangerous. But personally, we believe it is the entering wedge for a betterment of government, not only in Italy but in the world generally. A nation has suddenly arisen from its sleep and has proclaimed a faith in principles which are the foundation of all real civilization. Christianity, patriotism, loyalty to state. Liberty in its true sense recognizing the rights and duties of all classes of society, unity of all for the good of the country, obedience to established authority, social morality — these are the things that bolshevism would consign to the oblivion of the junk pile, and in the case of Italy, bolshevism. which is apparently honey-combing every civilized country of the world, has received its first set-back.

The writer was the pastor at St. Joseph's.

Feb. 17th, 1922

August 28th, 1923

September 3rd, 1946

He may not have been terribly out of step with popular opinion.

Nearly a year before, both papers had editorialized on the Fascists, with the morning paper praising them for driving "out of the country the radicals who were preaching the doctrines of communism."

Morning paper, November 4th, 1922

The afternoon paper was a little more critical, highlighting "an illegal seizure of government," but also praising the action against communism.

Afternoon paper, November 9th, 1922

The need to oppose bolshevism was also in Rev. Buck's piece.

And when the papers turned to the Beer Hall Putsch in Germany, a year after the March on Rome, the afternoon paper again suggested that a restoration of the monarchy as "an alternative to sovietism...might be accepted."

November 9th and 13th, 1923

There was here, as elsewhere, a pervading anti-communism and anti-socialism that tolerated all manner of anti-democracy and authoritarianism. By a transitive property, anything that opposed the communists was good: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The popularity, too, of the second Klan's take on patriotism and Americanism, suggests room for uncritical and sometimes laudatory takes on European fascists.

As 1923 continues to unfold, and moves into 1924, it will be interesting to see how local attitudes also evolve.