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

most every slep of his progress by obstacles which would
have been deemed nsurmounabe by minds less enlight
ened and less resoute than his But he had counted the
cost and was prepared meet it No difficulties could
deter him from carrying out those reforms which he be-
eved SO mperavey called for by the exgencies of his
country Some of his own subjects, OF enlightened
minds and ardent love of country, doubted the wisdom
expedency OF many among these OF reforms they
politicians OF the conservative school, who adhered
with greater or less enacy TO time honored institutions
and dreaded all innovations raught with danger to the
State Others thought that the work of reform was go
ing on with too great Iapdty and advised much deIloe-
anon and caution These proiessed to fear thathe ron
M was granting too much to the revolutionary spiii
which had shown itself during The preceding pontllcate
and that his advances would not be properly met by those
who had lately been the camorous and even rebeous
advocates OF what they called popular rights =.
All these elements OF internal dsrust ana opposiuoh
were kept in continual motion by the willy policy OF Aus
ra, which claimed to be the natural protector OF Italy,
and especially of the Papa States Her eagles hoated
from the dlapidated walls OF Ferrara, and her armies
hung on the frontiers, to give weight to the representa-
tons of her emssares, and to brighten the Pontifi from
the work of reform upon which he had SO fearlessly
Tered Should he succeed in carrying out his measures,
and should his subjects be fully secured IN those rights
and privileges which twas his object to besow upon them;
should they become deeply mbued with the spirit of
tionay they would suffice for themselves and her pro-
tectorshp would be virtually end, and along with it
her meddlng interference in Italian affairs Besides, the
same liberal spirit would be no doubt dfused among the
neIghboring Italian populations; her own downtrodden
subjects in Lombardy and the Venan terrorymght again
hold up their heads and remember their ancient freedom
and glory and her dominion in Italy would be endan
gered, and might even be brought to an endunless,
deed she should step forth and oer to her Italian sub
ects the same of reform which had been accord
ed by the Pontff and this she not, and could not
be- prepared to do.
Hence Austria is, from long settled policy, and from
her peculiar relations to Italy, the avOwed of all
efom, and the champion of the ancient state Of
th 'ngs. And would naturally expect to find all her
ene yes directed towards hwartng the glorious idea
warm " cherished by Plus Xof regenerating his coun-
y anu asserting Italian nationality. What does sur
prise us is iii fact lately published in the
t be- indeed true-tha even the citizen king of the
tbo e, of he the
of free peop loudly boasng of their love OF liberty,
should have so r lent the influence of his Aus
ria in this matter to have united with the latter in OBJ
rsiveIy recomme ndng to the Roman great dscre
ton and moderate on IN carrying out the proposed
forms! AS if the enlightened Ponhf did not know his
own affairs best, and must needs be, like child, under
pupage and LOOK to his neghbors for advice and gu-
dance. -.
oyeraWed by the mena imped in the remonstrances
of the Austrian and French cablnes and that he has
not been checked in his progress OF reform, much less
turned aside from his course. either 9y them Or by the
more tid and respectful sugge stsons OF small but IN
fluential portion of his own su oects lie has, indeed,
sought the advice of the latter and he has even listened
gesons of the former; but he is sill firmly bent
rying his high resolves and nc IS not man to De
discouraged by difficulties, or to be thwarted by OPPOSE
Calmly, pruiently, cautiously, he may and will move
on; for he feels the delcacy OF his position and
the accumulated difficulties OF the problem he IS called on
to sove but he induced with the fearless energy
of Gregory VII, blended with and softened down by
the mild frmness of Plus VII Austria may rown, and
egns of Europe may loudly dsapprove but the friends
of enlightened and rational liberty throughout the
world these happily constitute the vast majority OF e.
viZed nations-will look on with sympathy and aim
ration and future generations will do him ample justice,
and erect tent to his memory; even II he should
finally fail in his purpose, through the perverse complex
ion of political society at present constituted IN Eu
rope Those who cherish the best interests OF humanity
the world over, VIII bid him God speed in the work he
has commenced, and SO far carried on with the most bril-
The Importance of the measures he has already orgi-
mated cannot weil be estimated He assembled the
Papal throne at most critical moment The fate OF the
Papal domnions and of Italy trembling in the bal.
lance One false STEP or even too great indecison and
hesnc might have sealed the Fiat tate o. ms coun or
and felt this full well and on the very day that he as
sumed the tiara he to- PIX his final stand by making at once
very bold and decisive stroke The snddenness OF his
election and decisive promptness of his first measures
took Austria by surprise, and left her no time tor paer-
nal advice earnest reno nstrance Inc news Oh me
stirring events which marked the first days OF his pon
cate came like thunderbo upon the cabinet OF Vienna
The abeor of the partition and humiliation OF Poland,
and one OF the man m Sd So OF rs ,aamhs ~ he
voice of an humble Pont the successor OF the usher
man 1t not the first time that an emperor OF the
Romans had been known to quail before weak and de-
The political histor, Of the freed pontifcae Of his
immediate predecessor tue great ah h good 10
pect from Austria nor in fact from any other European
power that he must depe entirely upon the
servedy into their arms become the champion OF theif
Just rights and privileges, and rely on them Tor the up.
holding and projecting of his throne. lie ie also that
great Doldness and decision requisite, that no
time TO be lost and that he must take his measures al
once. He did and applause OF the world echo-
ing the enthusiastic acclamaons of his own people, mas
| fully indicated his course. .
| Gregory XVI was sovereign full OF affection iof ms
Subjects and sincerely desrous of promoting their wei,
fare But the evil times in which his lot was cast ana
circumstances entirely beyond his control, prevented INN
from carrying out his benevolent Intentions he ascenacd
the throne but few months after the French revOiutioh
of July, $780, and at the time when tire revolutionary
principle already triumphant in France, and Oh the eve
of It's triumph in Belgium, was fermentilg anon the
various masses of European population Secret poh uca
emissares from France had penetrated into Italy and were
busily engaged in stimulating the people TO revolt Boz
the capital of distant and ourshng portion OF ne
Papal States carried away by the vertigo and open
raised the standard of rebellion The Papal authorities
were ousted and the revolutionary faction seemed on the
eve OF lasting triumph.
What was the PontfT to do in this emergency Was
he tamey to submit to the dismembement OF his small
kingdom-the palrmony of the church-which had come
down to him in its integrity for thousand years! Or
he repel force by force He had not struck the
first blow-coud he act on the defensive' But his
sources limited his army consisted OF mere hand
full of troops and these of the best materials could
| He thought not and in evil moment for his own
peace and the prosperity of his States, he accepted the
proered aid of that government which claimed as mai
ter of prescrpve right the proectorship OF Italy: Aus
TRAN bayonets put down the revolution; but the
event proved that the Pon had really to dread
from his protectors than from his rebeous sub ects
He had virtually put himself in the power OF empire