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

Such were the Joyous words with which the followers
of Eneas hailed their first sight of the coast OF Italy
after wandering long upon the sea, tempest tossed
and almost destitute of hope II is with the same ieei
ngs that behold the position before the world which
that interesting country exhibits under the efforts OF
the present enlightened Pontf TO beralize the political
condition of Italy, TO throw off OF the shackes
which time and circumstances have rvetted upon her
people, and to advance those over whom he has been
chosen preside 10 their just position among the ma
tons of the world That difficulties and dangers beset
his path, in these endeavors amelorate the condition
OF his people is but too evident and that these pers
arise alone from the jealousy of neighboring des
potc monarehies, but even from his political fam
~ brotherhood, may be not less surprising than de-
plored by those who have not watched the influences
at work, and The preiudices 10 be in car
ryIng out this work of reformation. The ienacity
with whch the powerful conservative party of Italy (as it
may be termed adhere TO all papabe grievances and
fuse to yield anything to the popular element, is by
no means an historical anomaly other countries and
other nations produce similar instances of peril
nacious opposition the part OF this class OF mankind
towards every description OF progre ssve popular reform
., g. 7novaion In Italy, in other POLITICAL socieues'
~; , IS, IT will be easily compreie 'ded, composed
os f tho 'obesse and the landed and m oneyed aris-
iocrlcy ,ry
II has nerhap- bee, hitherto unfortunate for ualiah
freedom that the peculiar conformation of her pol oo
ecclesiastical poty has brought t. germany Of eA
otc growth who have been reared despoc courts and
instructed in the scveest doctrine OF passive obedience, to
administer her government; minds SO disciplined
could scarcely fail ii not to strengthen certainly IN no
decree TO alleviate, the grievances which absousn is
wont to impose upon the people The present Pope
native of Italian soil, and consequently inherts little OF
those apprehensons of State danger supposed by some 10
be consequent liberal and enlightened reliance upon
popular affection He is the natural head OF the party
opposed the conservatives and the history OF his pom
tcate thus far short it has yet been, is repete with
hopes that his expansive mind will know how to shape
his course enable him to overcome the opposition of
his enemies and earn for himself the proud title of the
Regeneration and Liberator OF Italy.
We have been led into these reflections by the follow
ing excellent paper " Italian Nationality" which ap-
peared in the United States Catholic aga=ine for Sep
tembe and which we should have taken earlier oc
casion to notice. but fo the pressure our columns for
some time past matters Of urgent and immediate
cessity AS it is, the eloquent and forcbIe article will I
lose OF its interest from delay and invite the par
ticular attention Of readers to the subject which
it treats, peculiarly valuable at the present time, when all
eyes turned with eager TO the land of Dante
and of Tasso, of Calico of Columbus and OF Michael An
gelo-a land which described by Piny the dis
cple and teacher of all other lands chosen by the wis
dom Of the gods; land destined to make the heavens
glow with superior brghtness to soften manners in
fuse order into the discordant and savage language of
divers nations through the influence of her tongue
to give speech and civilization manknd and TO be- in
word, the common country OF all the nations of the
earth"
tnIJn NntIO
DEL PRnriro MORALE ITALIAN; per Pin
ee.so Giobofi terra edifione. Brussels, 1874;
TIfE PRE-EMINENcE THE ITALIANS; by
Vincent Giobert' third edition. Brussels, 1914. vols
Svo.
turned towards Italy, may not be inappropriate TO
offer reflection the past vcisstudes, the actual
n caun The brilliant ponca Of Plus ia * is des
tined to form era in the history of the nineteenth
century, and especially in the political history OF Italy
If anything retrieve the fortunes OF this depressed
country, and reinstae her in that moral and civil pre-
emnence among the nations OF the earth to which she
has many strong CLAIMS it will be, under God, the po
ltca reformation already auspiciousy commenced by
Plus IL within the limits OF his own States
His enlightened wisdom, his prudent forecast, his un
shaken rmness, his commanding position, together with
the powerful influence which hs unboundel popularity
fail give him throughout the Italian peninsula
will and must strongly tend to arouse the various Italian
princes and States TO consciousness OF their actual con-
on and wants, and 10 deep of the necessity OF
greater among themselves, OF stronger depend
ence upon their and OF precautionary
against the evil effects OF foreign influence and
intervention. His example Will strongly stimulate them
to promote the good OF their people by all the
in their power; to redress local grievances to abolish
obsolete privileges and TO originate such saluary reforms
the exgcncies of the times and the progress of society
NAV require. Plus N is ferventy trust, destined to
be- in the hands of Divine Providence, the restorer of
Italian nationality and the saviour OF Italy.
Little more than year has elapsed since he assembled
the pontitca THRONE and he has already achieved
ders He has effected social ameoratons and originated
political reforms with rapidty which appear truly
astonishing to all who all acquainted with the usual
mmobility of political institutions all old countries.
The first act of his reign one, the clemency of which
was e1ualed only By It's political wisdom The many
talented and influential exles--must OF them youths
whom the amnesty recalled to their beloved homes be-
came his and enthusiastic friends
They were only restored to their country from which
they had been expelled chiefly through the willy artifce
and despoc rgorsm of Austria but they taught TO
love their country, doze its sovereign and detest
all foreign Intervention Italian affairs From enemies
of the State they converted at by the
fu wisdom of the Ponti into its most ardent champions
and strongest bulwark. There not perhaps Of
them all who is prepared TO shed his blood foE
Plus * and for Italian nationality. With such soldiers
10 sustain him, the Pontf might well dispense with the
services OF Swiss and Austrian troops. He needs no
other assistance than that which will be cheerully given
by the willing of his subjects in whose afec-
lions he regns supreme
This first step towards nationality followed in
rapid succession by many Others all tending in the same
direction. The Pont has already adopted efficient meas
for better securing the administration OF equal justice
all his subjects of every grade and condition; lie has
encouraged the establishment of newspaper5, OF