Viola means Giselle, but on the deeper level "the child" is his dead son, the pure figure of honest Man in Republican Liberty. That vision of the People "had to be protected" from this vision of a thieving, skulking People.

Compare this line with Teresa's urging Nostromo to "save the children." Teresa and Giorgio, it seems, have contrasting methods of protecting children, Teresa encouraging Nostromo to "get riches" , which he was doing, Giorgio punishing him for violating codes of honor and property.