These differences of opinion were reflected from the start in practical politics. We have already watched the commencement of La Farina's campaign. But the political scene in Palermo still remained agitated after Garibaldi's rebuff on 22 June to the champions of immediate annexation. On the 23 rd, Crispi's government was weakened by the resignation of two leading members of the Sicilian aristocracy, the Marquis di Torrearsa and Baron Pisani. Later in the same day, perhaps as a partial concession, a decree was issued to say that local authorities should draw up electoral registers and have all ready for voting by 20 July. This marks a small but definite retreat by Crispi from the policy of ‘nothing at all till Rome’ which Garibaldi had proclaimed the day before in his speech to the civic council. It was a new development, which shows that the situation was now becoming more complicated.

In trying to explain this modification of view, it first of all is clear that Crispi's political ascendancy had been shaken by the insinuations of La Farina, and he was therefore in a compromising mood. We know that he was trying to make contact with Cavour at this time, perhaps hoping to displace his rival in Sicily, and to reconcile all parties there by some striking and meritorious act of statesmanship. He had found that he could not ride the radical programme rough-shod over Palermo opinion. Sicilian susceptibilities had been touched by his innovation of conscription, and war conditions were adversely affecting many vested interests in the island.