The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-09 00:00:00

manes, as if he could by his vigour and audacity
contribute to the unity of Germany. Indeed of
contributing to the unity of Germany, he seems
to all but German eyes marching to the enslave-
ment of the North. He has just pleated the
Prussian flag over Rendsburg. Why should he
not amuse and gratify Germany, as well as profit
Prussia, by another Federal execution, to which
Austria is not opposed Y The victim this time
should be the Elector of Huss. That Prince
certainly deserves expropriation ; and if Prussian
troops should occupy his capital and his Electorate
after Christmas, doubtless it will be with the
cordial applause of the poor Hessians in par-
ticnlar, and of the great German people in general.
M. DE BISMARCK will gather fresh popularity and
strength from the crusade, dazzle with it the eyes
of the people as well as of his own Sovereign,
flatter the liberals under the pretence of doing
their work, and at the same time gratify the na-
tional party by reducing Hesse to that state of
political subordination which forms M. DE BIS-
MARCIE'S ideal of a new northern empire.
If the Sleswig campaign was to M. DE BISMARrE
what the Crimea was to his French prototype,
the conquest of Hesse is to be his Solferino.
And it is evident that the German public is ready
to applaud the employment of military force in
putting down old oppression, without caring much
whether it is followed or not by the substitution of
new.

After having begged the Senate to consider that
he was speaking for the first time, General Cial-
dini proceeded to say that, though the orations of
so many eloquent senators had made him uncertain
as to the desirableness of speaking, yet his position
as a soldier and citizen, and his capacity as a
general and a senator, had persuaded him at last
to speak freely his mind on the question.
As Count Msmiani eloquently remarked (proceeded
General Cialdini), after the long debates of both bonne of
parliament and the endless comments of the European
press, there is scarcely anything new to be said about the
Franco-Italian treaty. I think, however, that a clear ex-
position in a military point of view has not as yet been
made—such au exposition as would at once demonstrate
that the transfer of the capital would be advisable
for the military defence of Italy, were it not
justified by stringent political considerations. In my quality
of • military man, to whom has been entrusted one of the
great commands of this country, and with my aptitude for
military studies as well as affection to Italy, the question
of the military defence of the country has naturally pre-
occupied my mind. Since the beginning of 1862
my constant thought, my constant preoccupation,
has been this. I was always repeating to my-
self—We have • powerful enemy permanently este-
; Wilted In one of the most formidable positions—an enemy
which is powerful by the effect of large and well-organised
forces and by military traditions. With such ►n minatory
I no transaction is possible so long as it is the master of as
inch of Italian pound. War must, therefore, decide between
Austria and Italy. The only question to be considered
between these two irreconcileable enemies is the question
when the fight shall begin l I also said to myself, " We
can undoubtedly reckon upon the alliance of France as
long as Napoleon 111. rules the destinies of that peat,
nation. But if the Emperor were to die he would leave
the French troops master of Mount Coils, and of all thaw
other military positions which the valour of the Pied-
montage have illustrated in former times, and which
through the canon of Savoy and Nice and by the
new delimitation of the French frontiers have
become a part of France. If in such • contingency the
policy of France were to change—if the traditional hostility
against the unity of Italy, and which was shown even by
the republican governments of Lamartine and Cavaignac,
were to prevail again in the French Council—if, in one
word, the ally should become an enemy, what would be
the position of Turin! And if Austria, taking advantage
of this new political situation, should suddenly fall upon
us, bow many would be our embarrammenta ?" And whilst
speaking thus to myself, I said, " Why do we not make
up our mind to strive for • serious and general sys-
tem of military defence which would shield our
country against the danger of • surprise, a European re-
action, or a coalition! To abut our eyes in order not to
see the danger, I need to reflect, is not the conduct of wise
men ; to remain with folded arms is an act of cowardice ; it
is necessary to look at the danger and provide spinet it !"
Whilst I was thus repeatedly speaking to myself I received
a letter from the Minister of War, by which I and other
generals were called to give our opinion as to the beet places
on which a certain number of tits de pont and fortresses
could be erected to protect the country in case of • war
with Austria. I answered at once that the project
of • partial defence did not appear to me the proper one,
but that one of large compass, including the general
defence of Italy, was demanded. I replied to the despatch
of the Minister of War on the 4th of June, 1862, and
therefore • loot time before the present convention could
have been thought of, and even before it seemed likely to
be entered into. I answered at • time when I could not
have been suspected either of undue proclivity to the cabi-
net presided by Minghetti, or of servility to France.
My reply was as follows:—" We are to-day the allies
of France and the avowed enemies of Austria. But who
knows what may happen to-morrow ? The Eastern, the
Roman, and the Rhine questions may in one moment
change the European alliance ; our interests may even com-
pel us to be the allies of Austria. The transfer of the capi-
tal from Turin either to Naples or to Florence may become
at any moment, not only a political, but a military neces-
sity. The cession of Savoy and Nice, and the rectification
of the French frontier, render Turin no longer • safe place
for the capital of the new kingdom. The defence of the
state can no longer be considered under • Piedmootese point
of view, nor can the ideas expressed on the defence
cf Italy by Napoleon the Great any longer guide
the men to whom the destinies of Italy are confided.
Since our nation became a community of 22,000,000 it has
returned to the very condition in which the Romans were
—that is, we have returned to the reverse of the military
condition in which we were before the new kingdom was
established. Oar arsenals, our reserves, and our magazines'
must be u soon as possible transferred to a place lying be-
tween
the two seas which akin our peninsula. The Loci-
bard and Piedmoatess plains will still remain the theatre of
our wan, but we must ban in mind that our great and real
defences are the two slopes of the Appenines. I
should, therefore, wish to see • serious and large
system of general national defence discussed which should
answer to the wants of the present as well as to those
which the future may bring about for us. Whilst Austria
is our enemy, endorse with Napoleon 111. as our friend, it
is dangerous to have Turin for the capital of Italy." Thus
did I write on the 4th of June, of 1862. Two years and alien
h►ve since elapsed, and that opinion instead of being changed
has become firmer than ever. I do not lonia to turn the
Senate into an assembly of generals, or into • council
of war, destined to discus ► system of military defence.
I son, however, desirous of showing bow a well-intended
system of general defame implies the transfer of the capital
behind the Appenines. As the system I wish to develop
is very simple, no special knowledge or technical terms
being required to explain it, but only general notions of the
topographic coofiguration of Italy, I shall briefly address
the Senate upon it. Italy is for two-thirds of her surface
skirted by her two seas ; the other third attaches itself to
the Continent by the circle of the Alps, at the foot of which
lay the plains of Lombardy and Piedmont. The Appe-
nines turn their chain towards the Adriatic, forming •
great curtain, which extends itself from Genoa to Calabria.
Opposite the magnificent curtain of the Appenines and
facing it lies the beautiful valley of the Po, in which
stands Austria, shut up within the formidable positions of
her quadrilateral. The defiles of this valley are sot
in our power, sot can we provide for their defence
by building fortresses. " The valley of the re
means the enemy dwelling in join homes with the
door wide open for him to enter at his pleasure. And in
each &position you still persist in having your capital in
this city. Senator Parini, I am sorry to say, expressed the
desire of retaining the capitol at Turin, because it would
thus be under the perpetual protection of France. He is
desirous of having the capital under the protection of
France. I, on the entrary, desire it to be where it will
have for its only protection the arm and the valour of the,
Italians. The honourable senator has cited the opinion ex•
praised by Napoleon at St. Helena in support
of his opposition to the bill, and said that
the great captain wrote that " Florence is not enough
central to become the capital of Italy." I know it, and for
this reason I desire to have Rome; but is Turin more;
central than Florence? Behind the Appealing you
will have • country quite surrounded by the sea, and shut
up by the Appenines themselves, and that will
be the safest spot for your capital, at least if you
are not afraid of the army of mercenaries which
the Pope may organise in your rear. All hesitation
on this subject would be fatal. Let us remove our military
stores, our arsenals, our reserves—in a word, all our re.
sources—behind the Appenines ; let us at the same time
fortify its defiles from Genoa te Cattolica. Once let those
seven or sight defiles be fortified, and you may depend upon
it they will become for Italy so many Thermopyl a, which
it will be impossible for our enemies to force. Let ,
us also prepare easy means to effect the crossing
of the Po ; and, when this system of general de-'
feet* shall have bees adopted, the future lot of
Italy shall no longer be decided by the result of one great
battle. All armies may loss • battle, but were we to lose
one is the valley of the Po after the system which I suggest
was adopted, we should retire slowly behind the Po and the
Appeoines, where we should be able to reorganise our
armies. and we should come out split to the valley of the
Po to deliver nether battle. With the evils' behind the

Meantime, what is Austria about ? Listening
complacently to the noble sentiments expressed
by a few eloquent and isolated members of its
Reichsrath. Justice to Hungary, justice to Gal-
licia, and justice, as far as it can be meted, to
Venetia, are the recommendations and demands
of these amiable enthusiasts. M. DB SCHNER-
LING'S replies are somewhat mystical, and his
promises a little vague. It was said that he had plans
not only for uniting and regenerating Austria, but
for reforming the German Diet. His speeches,
however, afford no inklings of this. Neither his
nor Count MENsnour's discourses indicate any
new, bold, or decisive policy.

gbt ecntrt.

WINDSOR CASTLE. DEC. 8.

The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Helena,
walked and drove in the grounds of the Oastle this morning,
attended by Lady Augusta Stanley.
Princess Louise went out driving.
The Earl and Countess Russell arrived at the Castle and
had the honour of dining with her Majesty yesterday.

Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office,
from the Governor of Canada. Despatches were sent to the
Governors of Canada and the Falkland Islands.

VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO CLEW= CHURCH...-011
Tuesday afternoon her Majesty, accompanied by the Prin-
cess Helena and attended by Major-General Seymour, paid
an unexpected visit to the ancient church at Clews,, dis-
tant about • mile from Windsor. The Rev. T. T. Carter
being absent, the Rev. W. T. Grieve, one of the curates,
repaired to the church to receive her Majesty. The chief
object of her visit was to inspect the grave of a faithtid
servant, of the name of Glover, who died about four
months ago, it being her Majeety's intention to erect •
tablet to his memory. After the Queen bad strewed some
dowers on the grave she was conducted over the interior of
the church, which has been recently repaired and embel-
lished with beautiful stained slaw windows. There the
Queen remained for some time, and afterwards inspected
some of the monuments ie the ancient churchyard. Her
Majesty was much interested with all she bad sees, and re-
marked that she was not aware of there being so interest-
ing • spot in the neighbourhood of Windsor. The church,
which is of Saxon and early Norman architecture, is dedi-
cated to St. Andrew, and is chiefly built on the original
site and where a portion of the ancient building still re.
mains. The workpeople employed at the time of William
the Conqueror in erecting his hunting box at Windsor went
to this church to hear mass, and ancient reoords show that
their wages were a penny a day. The original stained glass
windows of this interesting old church, one of which was
dedicated to the patron saint, were all demolished at the
time of the revolution.

THE. PRINCE CONsoRT MEMORIAL IN EDINBURGH.
—We understand that the council of the Architectural Insti-
tute of Sootleod are of opinion that the proposal for the
erection of the Prince Consort Memorial on Arthur's Seat
should Dot be entertained.—Scotrotats.

Last eveniug the Marquis of Salisbury enter-
tained upwards of 200 of his tenantry at dinner in the
magnificent baronial hall of Hatfield House, which was ap-
propriately decorated for the occasion.

- On Wednesday Lady Wodehouse visited the
Queen's Institute for the employment of Blunted Women,
Molesworth-street, Dublin. Her ladyship arrived at a
ilia:ler-past 3 o'clock, accompanied by the Very Rev. Doan
Greases. She was received by the ladies of the committee,
who conducted her through the institution, with which she
expressed howl, much pleased.
_ _

Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald has been addressing his
constituents at Horsham. In the mum of his speech he
expressed his total dissent from the doctrine of non-inter-
vention as he mamma it was laid down by Mr. Cobden.
He defended the wares the opposition took in respect to
Denmark'and Germany, and expressed his regret that affairs
in Germany were left in their present state. He approved
of a redaction in the expenditure on the army, bat did not
believe that that on the navy could safely be lessened. With
respect to reform, he said it was for the government which
had been elected to carry a reform bill to show how it could
be safely done, bat he denied most strenuously that the
higher classes were interested in holding back from the
woriing classes any privileges to which they were entitled.
TIM PRINCE AND PRINCEti O► WALCA—SAND-
IU7RIA.II. THCILIDAT.-06 Monday last the Prince of
Wales, attended by Captain Grey and Mr. Fisher. went out
with the West Norfolk hounds. The Princess of Wales,
attended by the empties of Macclesfield, drove to the inset
at Houghton. Lord Hamilton sod Colonel the Hon. and
' Mrs. Byug left Sandringham from visiting their Royal High.
oases. In the afternoon Prince Edward of S►xe-Weimar,
Lord Granville, Lord Sefton, Lord Hartangtoo, Colonel the
' Hoo. H. Percy, and Admiral Seymour arrived at Sand-
ringham on a visit to their royal highness,,.. On Tues-
day the royal party had ► successful day's shooting in the
Commodore and Derringharn Woods. On Wednesday the
Priem of Wale■, attended by Captain Grey lied Mr. H.
Fisher, and accompanied by Prince Edward of Saxe.Weimar,
Lord Sefton, Lord Hartiegtoe, Colonel the Hon. H. Percy,
and Admiral Seymour, drove to Westacre, the appointed
"meet" for the West Norfolk bounds. The members of
the hunt mortared in great force to evince their respect for
the royal sportsman. The day was not a good hunting day.
but two short rues were obtained, the first fox losing his
brash. Lord Granville Married from Sandriogham to
town. The Marchioness of Carmarthen has relieved the
C4untess of Macclesfield in attendance upon the Princess of
Wales.

THE LATE FESTIVAL OF THE THREE CHOIRS.—
HEREFORD, THCRRDAT.—A deputation of the .towards of
the late Festival of tbeChoirs at Hereford waited yes-
terday upon the conductor, Mr. G. Townehead Smith. and
pm/booted him with a very handsome silver salver, as an
acknowledgrneet of his indefatigable exertions in promoting
the success of these festivals. The salver bore the follow.
ing inscription :—" Presented by the stewards of the Here-
ford Musical Festival to George Townshend Smith, Esq.,
1864." Mr. Smith feelingly acknowledged the honour done
him, and in a circular issued to those of the stewards who
were not prompt, says :—" It H satisfactory to possess an
evidence that you deem me worthy of the position of con.
doctor to one of the principal musical institutioos i• Ber-
land." The total collecting for the clergy widows and
*mime charity at this festival was 1.1007. 14s,
THE CONFEDERATION OF THE BRITISH NORTH
AMERICAN PROST:WM—We understand that it is not
the intention of the Hon. Mr. Galt or the Hon.
Mr. Macdonald to visit England at present, the
Hon. George Brown having consented to take
charge of the several matters which otherwise would have
brought these gentlemen to this country. The Hon. George
Brown returns to Canada on the 31st inst., to be in time for
the anticipated opening of the Canadian legislature, about
the middle of January. While in England he will confer
with the imperial authorities on the subject of defeoce,
and also os the North-west question. A local
contemporary says " that be is commissioned by the
Canadian cabiset (if sot the delegates beeides) to see what
favour the new scheme will have at the Court of St. James.
If such is the case, a better man could not have been chosen
for this object, as be has the whole detail/ of the movement
Wobbly impressed upon his memory, and there are few
am who ere wore able to luridly and explicitly impart to
Wows what he knows himaelf.—Cenadioa Nowa Dia 8.

LATZBT INTELLIQUOIL ' Aggeninea, the action of the government will be mere felt,
bemuse the government will be ablate Initiate a more useful
—..-..--.
policy when It has the 00111C1OUSIMIIII at &sty. Those
THII ITALIAN OfIAMBEIL matins via spoke so much of the valley of the Po as the
Named *sake of Italian battles—forget that the battle
REMARKABLE SPEECH OF GENERAL CIALDINL Irma by Hannibal on the Trebia did not decide the fats
In the sitting of the Italiiin Senate on Tuesday a of Rome, but though he had conquered on Thrasymene and
very remarkable speech was delivered by the cele- at Canna, the greatest captain of the world was obliged at but
brated General Cialdini. This speech has caused to give up the sstelPsies* I insisted on these facts 14
a great sensation throughout Italy, and we subjoin order to move how wrong is the opinion that there is not
safety for Italy out of the valley of the Po. And if such
a full translation : was the military condition of Italy at the time of Hannibal,

what win be her strength, now that we have railways and
telegraphs at our disposal, and when the nation, united as it
is, has the consciousness of her strength and of
her future greatness ? Let foreign writers say
that Italy is the land of the dead. Yes, but
the dead have at last risen from their tombs in the
I shape of 350,000 armed men, and of 200 battalions of
mobilised national guards. The dead have strong and well-
manned fortresses to defend their fatherland ; they have a
fine fleet to moist their rights over the waters of their
national sue. Those very Hallooed whom it was said, "Les
Italians nos se battent pas," have already won many battles,
and whether, under the grey coats of the regular soldier, or
under the red shirt of the volunteer, have taught the illus-
trious general who, in • moment of bad humour, uttered
those words, that they know how to fight and conquer.
(General and repeated enthusiastic cheers.) Had Napoleon
the Great (continued the orator) foreseen that Italy
would become what she is now he would have
modified his opinion as to the best place for
the establishment of her capital. By transferring
our capital to Florence we do not renounce the valley of the
Po. Who could think of it We shall enter the valley
and there fight our battles whenever it shall be required ;
and we shall enter it with this difference, that, instead of
turning our back to the enemy, we shall face
him ; and, in case of disaster, we shall not
have the Alpe in our rear, but shall slowly
retire behind our natural defence of the Apps.
nines. Some orators have said that the transfer of
the capital will weaken our defence on the Po ; but they
have forgotten that the consequence of the transfer will be
• freer action, because we shall not have the capital to de-
fend. The mitersl affection which these orators have for
Turin, and their grief at seeing it dispossessed of its crown,
make them develop the most strange and singular opinions.
I have heard also most respectable and learned men assert
that both the Po and the Appenioee are no obstacles, and
that the minor rivers are of more importance. These ergo-
meets, however, are so strange that it would be totally
melees to refute them. Let us speak clearly. I also have
• heart which is keen to feel great sorrows as wall as great
affections ; and God forbid I should say even a word which
could offend this noble city, those sorrow s, and those affec-
tions. Bat when the future of the country is at stake, it
is necessary to impose silence upon the heart, and let logic
speak loudly. The eye moistened by teen cannot see
clearly ; the heart broken and the mind pre-oocupied by
sorrow cannot judge aright. Ought we to stop because the
gloomiest forebodings have been uttered? Had we listened
to the prophets of misfortune we certainly should not have
done all that we have accomplished. Let us recognise that •
mysterious force pushes Italy along a determined way, and
that our revolution follows its slow, peaceful, but irre-
sistible course. I sincerely deplore the losses Turin is des-
tined to sustain, u on the field of battle I deplored the
losses of soldiers and of friends. But because dear friends
and soldiers fall ought a general not to fight any more?
Turin cannot be the capital of Italy—l say it with sor-
row—because it ia placed at the foot of the Alps, at the
extremity of the kingdom. Let us proclaim it, as it has
already been proclaimed, the most magnanimous city of
Italy, and let the Torino'. remember the noble word. once
uttered by Baron Ricaaoli, "The greatest fortune, which
may happen to • man, to which • citizen may aspire, is
that of rendering a great service to his country." I, there-
fore, vote in favour of • bill which transfers the capital
behind the Appenines, because, above all, I desire my
country to be strong enough to defy foreign insolence. I vote
for it because my country once strong will exercise the influ-
ence to which she is entitled. As for the convention, I can
understand that to some people it does not appear clear
enough to satisfy them of its necessity. It is more • qua
Wm of trust, but for my part I vote it, because by it we get
rid at least of one foreign occupation. Those foreigners,
though our allies, are still foreigners, and noble France will,
lam sure, understand and appreciate the meaning of
the words. I vote for the bill because
it rouses Italy from that apathy in which she
has remained during the last two years, sod be-
cause we assert once more the fact of our glorious revolution
by transplanting our capital to one of the annexed pro-
vinces. Allow me to conclude with one deeply-felt cowl.
deration. The debates, to which I have attentively listened,
leave in my mind • painful impression—the fear of seeing
civil dissensions arias. But instead of speaking of
the interests of such and such town or pro-
vino", would it not be better to speak of the
intonate of our fatherland? Instead of talking of sacrifices,
would it not be better to comfort those who have the duty
of making them? Were you, honourable senators, to say
that these sacrifices are ;claimed by the glory, the welfare
of Italy, the people would believe you. Were you to
tell your countrymen that liberty and independence are
blessings which are never purchased too dearly, your fellow
oountrymen would believe you. The school of sacrifice
makes the soul of • people stronger. Prometheus had the
power of making a man out of clay, sacrifice alone has the
power of turning men into heroes. (Prolonged applause.)
At the close of the above speech several senators
hastened to General Cialdini's seat, and compli-
mented him eagerly on his eloquence.