The Sun.
London, England, 1822-11-29 00:00:00

LI'T'ERARY NOTICE.

FEDERATIVE CONSTITUTION FOR ITALY.- .Pro-
ject for its Regeneration ; founded on the respective interests
and reciprocal advantages of the several Italian Sovereigns ;
embracing the objects proposed by the Holy Alliance, and
ten/ling to make that country participate, not only in the re-
sults proceeding- fionlsnch objects, but also in the benefits
promised by the enlightened state of the age, &c.—By Capt.
FRANCIS ROINIEO.,
(Concluded from THE SUN of N0v..21.)
I nosy pass:to another,
,and proceed -to reflect on the actual
disposition of Italy with regard to its inhabitants, as also to
Europe in general.
•

Is the government imposed on Italy given as a punisment,
or as a reward ? If as a punishment, may I ask what crime
has that country ever committed ? Wifo accused her? who
listened to her reply ? who were her judges? why was she con-
demned ? what means have been employed to rectify her Con-
duct ? _ _ .

What crime did -Italy commit ? She respected her Princes,
and cordially espoused the cause of the Allied Sovereigns ; re-
posed the greatest confidence in their promises ; believed her-
self independent, as tYtese monarchs had declared, and, in con-
sequence, endeavoured to establish such institutions as she
thought necessary to her prosperity, without ever mixing in the
affairs of callers. Was she punished for such conduct ?
Did he who counselled that punishment fully distinguish
what would .be the results of his advice ? Does he know
what he meant to insinuate amongst the people, and what he
says to the Sovereigns? I will tell him: he plainly conspires
against the security' 'of Princes, their titles and honours, the
peace of Eurape; 'and the rights of every nation.
• Such a counsellor might wish us to believe that this proceed-
ing was a favour and a benefit to Italy. lie may think thus,
or it may be convenient to him that others should suppose so ;
but, unfortunately, the Italians think differently. They are
disposed'to put more faith in observed and existing facts, than
in words or advice of this kind.. They do not need the
counsel of others to regulate their domestic affairs; and
they will only believe themselves' benefited when their
Princes, beloved by the people, shall be respected from abroad,
and their independence no' longer be attempted or violated-
They also do not understand why insult should be added to in-
justice, and it shnuld be pretended that the Government im-
posed upon them was a benefit or favour to their country.
Nations can neyer•account as a benefit or favour the System
which degrades Sovereigns, and separates them from their
people,—resisting the wants and the wishes of both, and para-
lysing their resources,—a system which encourages factions,
sows discord between the citizens, and, subjecting that country
to foreign influence, compels them to desert the native land
they are at the moment unable to defend.
The Italiansanight at least find some consolation, could they
observe that their miseries lead towards the general welfare of
Europe,—that their abasement assured the balance of power,
the independence, peace, and prosperity of other nations.
But as for the balance of power, the present system of Italy
tends to exalt over a large State the influence of one, depress-
ing that of other foreign Governments; thus opening a way to
ambitious attempts, and increasing the fears of the States
liable to aggression. Can such a measure conduce to The poll.'
tical balance of Europe ?-
Can peace be maintained by a System which alienates sub-
jects from their Sovereigns, foments jealousy among neigh-
bouring Powers, and injures the claims of others'? ' • -
Do the transactions which have taken place in Italy, prove
that the independence of States is respected ?
Does the prosperity.of nations consist in the people being
prevented from 'choosing their own form of Government ?
It is however said, that what has been done in Italy was ne-
cessary, both to put down revolution in that country, and to
prevent it in.the rest of Europe. Admitting this, we must
then expect that so sacred an object could be realized by vio-
lating the independence of nations, resisting the genius of the
age, the desires of the people, the progress of mind ; as well as
degrading the Sovereigns, and alienating them from their sub-
jects ! ! !
At the moment that this measure of prevention was meditat-
ing, Greece clearly shewed how inefficacious all such measures
were to obtain the desired object.
The league of Princes in 'Europe may,. it is also supposed,
enable the Governments to resist the voice of the age and the
people ; but is it certain that such leagues will not cause leagues
to be formed in opposition ?.
Monarchs will sacrifice every thing to the maintenance of
peace among themselves ; but will the people, opposed on every
point; be always at peace with Monarchs ?
• This problem merits the greatest consideration of those who
preside over Europe ; and it may he resolved advantageously
tbr the Sovereigns, if, consulting their true interests and their
own hearts, they choose to secure their'thrones by meliorating
the condition of the people they govern.
The present System of Italy is considered a convenient one,
to increase the power.of Austria, and make it balance that of
Russia. _ . • -• _

Were these two Powers not well poised in 1815 ? Does Italy
serve to balance Poland ? or is it to follow the same fate ; or
rather, is the present Congress assembled for the purpose of de-
ciding on the equivalent which the latter power may expect in
some other eastern Country, for the assistance it has g►ven to
the occupation of Italy ? •
Are our Politicians afraid of the North ? why, then, do they
not fortify the Powers of the South ?
Do they intend to strengthen, by dividing and humiliating
Italy ? •
In her present state, and the same system being persisted in,
ought she to inspire the Austrian Government with confidence
or with dread ? . .

Can this Government hope for succour, or will it find oppo-
sition from the neighbouring States ?
Could it employ the troops stationed in that country ?
" Italy is now put in such a state as to paralyse a large part
of the Austrian k orces, to encourage the attempts of Russia,
and to increase the danger to the Southern Powers of Europe."
When may Austria findresources in Italy, and no longer be
exposed to danger by that country ?
When will the South be secure against the aggressions of the
North ? .

Only in the event of the Italians becoming strong by union,
and feeling convinced that, by assisting Austria they will sup-
port their own rights and interests : which will take place when
the Confederation, here proposed, is carried into execution, and
'ltaly-, in consequence, become independent and powerful.
The Austrian Government may be considered under two dif-
ferent aspects, viz. as opposed to, or as combined with Russia.
What will the Italians do for Austria in the former case ?
Can it be doubted ? They will obey the impulses of her ad-
versary.
In the latter case, from the situation of Italy, what resist-
ance could she oppose to the attempts of such an alliance ?
Only that of repeating with the poet,
Divisurn imperium cum Jove—Cresar habet."
If the governnient here proposed for Italy should be realized,
how different would be the fate of the South Italy would be
able, in such circumstances, to resist the aggressions of Austria
and Russia, and would serve as a barrier to France and Spaih ;
to Austria; also, if united with it, and attached to its principles,
the Italians would be a great support, should she be, menaced
by Russia; whose dominion . over Poland already renders her
too powerful and dangerous for Europe.
Why then, is Italy not to be placed in a situation that fa-
vours the projects of the Allied Sovereigns ; offering the most
sure guarantee of the Peace of Europe, to the independence of
individual nations, and to the balance of power : and which,
satisfying the just demands of the Italians, secures the thrones
of their Sovereigns, and makes them the powerful rulers of a
free and prosperous people !
The present moment is certainly most propitious to realize
such a scheme : which not in Vienna, but in Russia, will en-
counter the greatest obstacles ; and the noble dispositions of. its
Monarch, promises to facilitate the sublime undertaking. Alex-
ander postpones the pursuit of his most seducing interests not
to disturb the peace of Europe. Alexander makes ~,reat sa-
crifices. to show his moderation to his noble Allies : Alexander
submits to the most vexatious, but decisive circumstances, to
convince the other Sovereigns of his good faith. Europe must
therefore, see how propitious is the presentmoment to overcome
all the obstacles to this plan ; and the Emperor of Ruisia, if he
be really anxious to sustain before all Europe the nobleness
of his own sentiments, cannot be ignorant, - that the best and
only proof which he can give of his attachment to treaties,—
of his good will towards the nations of the South,--,-of his
undoubted magnanimity and greatness of soul,—is to bestow a
Constitution on Italy, which would .render her strong, indepen-
dent, and tranquil ; able. to combat the attempts of the ambi-
tious, and always deaf to the flatteries of lerfidy, and the voice
of innovators.