Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-09-12 00:00:00

Italians are now, with re-awakened ardour,
trying to elaborate, but with a zeal hopeless

without external assistance, must and will be

nipped in the bud, because no one fights for an

idea but France, and—France will not

may be all very well to discourage the vain hopes

of the Italians, but does it prove that France
fights for an idea ? On the 2loniteur's own
showing,. we should say that the sad inference is,

as it ever was, that no nation goes to•war for an

idea not bound up with its own interests or safe-

tv. But what, then, is the meaning of the trium-
phant assurance that " France has accomplished
her mission ?" The " idea " still lies prostrate,
still groans, and bleeds and grovels in the dust.
The problem of Italian liberty is not wrought
out ; nay,-is-scarcely touched. Is-the annexation
of the previously happy and contented people of
Lombardy to Piedmont the achievement of the
idea that animated the bosom of France ? Is the
consolidation of Austrian power there, where her

rule has been always the sternest, the accomplish-

ment of Louis NAPOLEON'S mission ? This may

ba so. We do not say that France was called

upon to spend her blood and treasure for the pur-
pose of raising the idea of Italian freedom from

under the iron hoof of. the stranger, to place it
on the throne's of princes. But then why does
the Monitiur appeal to that abortive campaign
as a triumphant evidence that France, and France
alone amongst the nations, fights for an idea?
Why. does he claim for his country the sole
championship of a lofty mission at the very time

that he is. explaining her desertion of that mis-
sion at the most critical moment of its fortunes

and its trials ?

The EMPEROR himself, when the fit of candour
was on him before Verona, effectually superseded
all these alternate sophistries and fancies : arro-
gant claims and feeble explanations. He found
it necessary for once, when talking to the world,
to talk like the- world, and in language which
the -simple and the vulgar could thoroughly
appreciate. He gave the most solid, and, as

French newspapers would term it, the most
sordid reasons for withdrawing from his osten-

Ode and generous " mission
wanting keen and over-candid observers among
themselves who, having more respect for the
astuteness than the honour of their master, have
not scrupled to tell us that he did not blow up
the bubble till his own more selfish and secret
one had assured itself a further guarantee of
future success.

There were not

we have too much confideHe

ndeed, in the

sagacity and perseverence of the French EMPEROR

to suppose that he has been baffled in his real

object. But if the Moniteur cares to boast that

his mission .has been accomplished, let him not I

paint it in colours borrowed from an overwrought
fancy, and a.flattering indifference to truth. If
Louis NAPlittoN fought for an idea, it Was of

the vulgarest sort. -The mission; we do not deny,
has been accomplished ; but if so, it can scarcely

- • •
have been the resuscitation and establishment O

Italian feeedom,

IT is remarkable how the prejudices, of man's
mind will -blind him to the force of facts which

may militate agiiiiist_his_ own views. -This per",
version is strongly exemplified in Mr. LiNtosAY

speech, delivered at Sunderland, when explaining
to the electors his ,
_reasons for having supported
the late Administration.. He delivered there'
what he called three important facts,
connected
with.. an Interest in which he is himself largely
concerned : namely, British Shipping. He allegesr
Ist, That the entries inward and' outward
English vessels have increased since the Repeal
of the Navigation Laws more than before-2ngli'
That the number of ships built since the repeal
is greater than before ; and, lastly,- That the
ihumber of, ships owned iS greater than before.
He leads us to suppose, that all this has takelr

place in consequence of the repeal of those laws
we are considering; whereas he should hare stlici

in sfiite of theM

The causes of the increase, it

well known to Mr. LINDSAY, as thef

are to all conversant with the question of Brie'
Shipping,. have been the gold discoveries and the,.

Led to the natural increase of