The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-09

peaceful-had his subjects remained quet-we have no
doubt that he would have taken inc ntlanse N many
successor As il was, he had little TO console MN amidst
his multiplied mbarrssmens, save the consciousness OF
AN upright heart and OF pure intention TO do good,
together with the brilliant extension and increased pros
perity of the church during his pontlhcae,
Plus TX on his accession Immediately saw the source
of all these difficulties and resolved to remove ii
He laid the at the root OF the which had already
produced much bitter fritz for his own people and for
Italy at large lie discarded all foreign iniervention
and threw himself confidently upon the protection of his
subjects He promised to redress their grievances
to reform whatever abuses might have crept into the
government to encourage their industry and to provide
for their wants He would grant them every political
| privilege within his power to bestow would remodel
their legislation, and give them full confidence in their
own government Italians were not children they could
stand alone they might suffice for themselves and might
govern themselves without foreign Intervention dcia
ton They need no longer dread the Austrian bayonet
Inc Pont would need no soGlery to guard his person
and to secure order in his dominons, other than that
composed of his, own loving subjects In word the
whole system of Italian policy was TO be changed Italy
to be herself again and her nationality was to be
powerfully appealed to and stimulated into active devel
opment as the only means OF her political regeneration
was 4 bold experiment and every one knows how
IT has so lar succeeded Rome the Papa States, and all
Italy rang with acclamaons the Pontif hailed as
the father and delverer of his country the hearts Of
Italians beat quicker and they were fired with an en-
thuslasm which had been stranger to them for centu
res every head was again erect and all looked forward
to their political redemption already at hand Mean
time, Austria looked on with surly silence as a hungry
afraid to devour.
The old struggle between the Guelphs and the Ghbel
lines now recommended in mllder form, and under
much more favorable auspices. The Guelphs had ever
been the ardent friends of Italian liberty and the most
incorporating champions of Italian nationality; the
Ghbellines had secretly openly advocated the cause
of the German emperos, and had sought to establish
foreign despotism the ruins of Italian freedom Long
and hercely ragged the contest during great portion OF
the middle ages cities and provinces deuged in
blood; each party alternately in the ascendant and
the general result remained for long time doubtful
The Roman Pontlfis-to their immortal honor be it re.
membered-were ever on the side of the Guephs and OF
liberty. They were always the warmest and the most in
iuental friends OF the Italian party, well the most
formidable opponents of those who favored foreign
despots They had in their persons felt too often
and too keenly the insoen tyranny Of the German en-
perors to have any other political opinions, they
had not been naturally inclined to throw the weight OF
their powerful influence into the scale OF Italian nation
atty.
Little but unmixed evil had ever come from Germany
to Italy, from the time OF the barbarian nvasions IN the
fifth and sixth centuries down to the occupation or SELF
ure OF northern Italy by Austria, in the nineteenth Pope
Gregory ' had hurled the thunderbots OF the Vat-
at the head of one German emperor IN the eleventh
century; and his example, and noble, uncompromisng
champion ship of truth and liberty had opened the eyes OF
the Italians, and powerfully stimulated their national
thusiasIr But the great struggle came century later
when tn tyrannca German emperor Frederick Barbaos-
sa sought to extend his despotc sway over the whole
Italian peninsula On the side of the Italians it a
struggle Tor liberty against slavery, Tor political life
against political death The banner OF Italian nationality
and II eedom was unfurled in northern Italy; the LON
bard league formed the declaration OF independence
went forth through all the thriving cities and villages ~
ing r that portion othe PENINSULA and it responded
to by whole masses of the population Pope Alexander
liz the controlling spirit OF the league he stimulated
the ardor and directed the efforts of the confedeae The
Italia ms rumphcd and Frederick with his semi bar
baria hOrdes, driven back across the Alps The
LON bard cities free and under the influence OF this
triumph the brilliant Italian republics of the middle ages
spraJg into existence. The grateful Italians erected
| city, as monument TO the memory of the PontH who
hai been instrumental in procuring their freedom
We trust that the lesson conveyed by this memorable
ept ch in Italian history will not be lost upon the present
general of Italians True ii Isl alas that the political
bic ssngs secured TO Italy by this brilliant triumph
not permanent The Italian republics have long since
fall en- and their ancient gorics have been scattered to
the winds. Internal discussions. fomened by foreign in
tg le brought about this disastrous result and Italy has
since been the victim of that same ruinous policy which
first sought her enslavemen and finally conmssed her
pollti cal humiliation Though thwared for time, this
policy was still alive and active, waiting only for fit
port ly to manifest Itself with and TO work out
| Its destructive tendencies.
Uni orunatey for Italy, the old Ghibellne faction was
not yet extinct within her borders. There were still
lurking. in her midst who willing to sell their
brh-rsght Italians for of German pottage The
absence OF the Popes from Italy during the greater por
ton OF the fourteenth centuryt gave these men fair
opportunity to cooperate with their German allies for the
ruin OF Italian nationality All Italy was then prey to
bloody bros and factions. 1t was like sheepfod de-
That period perhaps the most disastrous one in all
Italian history. Italian nationality was lost sight of in
the fury of conending factions and in the reckless ambi
ton OF rapacious barons and princes.
One bold effort was, indeed, made in Rome itself to
kindle that spirit; but Rienz either had the genius
and the prudence requisite to control the enthusiasm
which he had awakened, or his effort made under
circumstances very unlroptous almost necessarily
to its failure. The 'Last of the Tribunes fell
ctim the fury of the armed barons, after struggle
vfoent it brief The spark of popular liberty
hch had been cnkndled by him into Pickering blaze
wis odden out, if forever and the chains OF bondage
rivetted more strongly than This is the usual
eff ect OF all violent revolutions which prove unsuccessful
They leave the people IN worse condition than they
found them.
STILL spite of all these sad es the precedent by
the Lombard league may yet be usefu at the present day
1t may to show what Italians could do, they
to bury their private differences and to be again united
in common national cause. Could such result be
brought about, nothing could prove Italy from again
that pre- eminence to which her cent raj position her
ighened and teemng population, ller fertile SOIL her
boundess resources and her past ser vices to literature to
religion, and to civilization, SO Justly entite her.
! Can reasonably look for contamination desra-
bic to all the friends OF human liberty throughout the
world Will the contest between the Guephs and
tn Ghbenes, conducted the mder modern principle
of moral force, prove successful its results than
did the old one OF the middle ages carried by force of
arms Time alone will shows but of one thing are
fully convinced IF Italy be again destined to become
nation, he people must be first thor oughly mbued with
the spirit of nationality; they must i've up all local pre-
JUDGES, and rally as one man around the standard OF
their country Their country must be everything TO
them their private and sectional interests must be as
nought
They must have head, too--a great master spirit to
lead them and to guide their energies towards the
great boon of national independence. This head must
have great weight of influence and authority; he must
be who enjoys the unlimited confidence of all the
/ 4 h.