The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-08

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net 10 held vsspeAsbls fbs the pssslssa he mains
taiasd. while s9tias Yndsr the necessities and re;
70 do 90, he could not have given 10 his people a
liberal form OF government, without exciting the
jealousy and resentment of Austria and thus USE
lessy staining the fields of his country with blood.
We would remark, in passing that II rebounds to
his credit as statesman and monarch, that Tor
many years he has maintained security and peace
In his kingdom at home, and caused IL 10 be re-
spected abroad-that its national debt has not been
augmented, and that Its financial affairs have been
managed with singular prudence and ability.
That tor many years, under the circumstances to
which we have above alluded, he used the armed
force placed at his control TO consolidate his power,
and to awe and keep IN check his discontinued
subjects, Is not TO be wondered at nor is II a
m liter of surprise that he should withhold his
hdence from his former associates, and regard with
some dlstrust, those whose principles and aims
were opposed TO the stability of his government.
He might have honestly regarded their views as
impracticabe, and pregnant with danger to the
tranquility aud interests OF the State. Hence the
chief cause oil his unpopuarity in part of his
dominions, which we are free to admit, and more
particularly in Genoa.
Such are the peculiar difficulties of the position
in which he has been placed since the piciicatlon
of Europe in 1915. The suggestions we have
thrown out may serve to show that his professions
at the present time of liberal principles and de-
sign to emancptte Italy. may be as honest as they
duct at the present crisis. His course has been
marked by great zeal, hrmness, and good sense
When the agitation IN Sicily and Naples extended
Its influence 10 his own dominions, and he was
called on to make concessions to the people, he
said in substance: g To rebellious subjects grant
nothing: lay down your arms, and may give You
thu constitution yol. demand" Peace and conf
dence were restored at once. He had long watched
the state of feeling throughout Italy; he had marked
the political changes there he saw that new set
OF opinions had sprung up, or that the old ones,
smouldering long, were about to rekindle into
flames; that all Italy aspired to, and would make u
dom. He saw that Naples, unawed by her king
and the MINOR States and duches of the peninsula,
would unite in the general movement The Pope
nid promulgated the most liberal views, and pledged
tholic powers, to advance and support them Tus-
cany, with its kind and patriarcha monarch at its
head. had taken decided stand against despotism
and his own population were enthusiastic In the
cause of national freedom The time for action had
arrived. A league of Italian States could now be
formed. Italy could now be rid of the intruders
on her soil-she could hurl back defiance to the
tyrants who have betrayed and enslaved her.
Charles Albert was called on to decide. He did
not hesitate as to his course; he espoused the
views of the Pope, and threw out menace to Aus
tria At that time it must be borne in mind that
the great changes had not taken place IN France
and on the continent and the movement was a
bold one. How nobly, and at what fearful risks
gan. Relying on the union, the armies and re-
sources of the Italian States, combined with his
own, he has marched with small force of
thirty thousand men to effect the liberation of the
oppressed Mllanese, and to secure independence
and nationality to Italy. He has set at defiance
the giant strength of Austria; backed by the count
less legons and the Vast resources of the Russian
despot. Nor was this, though daring and decisive,
so rash a step as may at the first glance be sup
posed. He felt he could rely on the sympathies Of
England, the aid of France, and the cooperation
of Prussia, If required, as well as on the neutrality
of part of the German States Italy was herself
apowerful, if united, with her population of TWEEN
ty-five millions. Drawing the chances against
hlm, his banner now waves on. the fertile
plains of Lombardy. He is on the eve of a
great battle, that will exert decided influence
over the destinles of Italy. On its result hangs
the question of peace or war to Europe. If lost,
France will be at once IN the field; If won, the
nationality of Italy will be secured, and Charles
Albert, at the head of the great confederacy of the
Italian States, will be hailed the benefactor of
his country, and the fearless defender of her ber-
ties. 1t may be said that his aim is to drive Aus
tria from her Italian possessions, whose power he
breads near to his borders, and to enlarge his
case of success, and on the assumption of new
power so extended, he will consolidate an arbitra-
~ government, as before. That he should desire
to expel Austria and her iron despotsm from Lom-
hardy, and that ne should aim at extending his
dominions is not improbable: but 1t not practi-
cable, neither IT 1t were, would IT be polite tor HIM
to forge new chains for the people of Italy. He
has proclaimed his liberal principles to the world;
he has armed and fought in their cause: he has
risked his fortunes and his hrone--he has pledged
his royal word, to support free institutions and he
cannot. he dares not. recede-and if he ired, III.
people of Italy now feel their power, know how to
assert their rights, and would rise in one mighty
mass to dethrone him He would not be safe for
an hour The time is past when the people wi
bow in abjcc servitude to thrones or crouch at the
feet of despots. Thus, as we have shown, the per-
sonal security of Charles Albert, the perman ,ncy
Of his kingdom, his true policy, his cons stency in
tie eyes OF the world, the maintenance of his honor
and of royal pledge, all apart from his sincerity,
guarantee to Italy the realization OF her hopes OF
fir .edom. II his promises should fail, she has but
to call ont her ava kcned energies, to arm in the
might of her people, In defence OF her rights; TO
tru Il more TO princes, and 10 PROSTATE thrones
to the dust, never to rise on her soil again. But
Rave faith in Charles Albert; we believe him
to be honest and sincere in his purposes, he has
,hown that he is brave and decided. We believe
tat he is polite and sagaclous, and that he aims
aggrlndiZe Italy, and feels that this can only be
done by a bond OF union among the States, and by
giving 10 each free constitution, with monarchy
as liz basis. We hope to see him accomplish the
grand objects he has undertaken; and trust that he
Will, by his consistency and adherence to his
pledges, aud to the principles he avows, gain a
proud and enduring fame.
Since the above was written, we are advised
that Milan having declared for republic, and
taken stand against constitutional monarchy,
Charles Albert has receded from the position h
had assumed, and has intimated his intention to
withdraw his troops, after having accomplished
his mission of driving the Ausrians from her ter
rltories. This does not change our opinion Of his
views or character, as we were aware that he was
advocate of republican governments in Italy,
and more particularly IN State Immediately bor-
ierng on his own. We cannot expect man to
follow suicidal policy. A republ lie on his very
borders would be fatal to the existence of his
Ihronc aud he did not march against the armies
of the two great powers of Europe, to hur desruc-
lion on himself. lie acts as any sensible, prudent
but determined man, would do: He offers free
utlonal checks and privileges. But he knows
that the States OF Italy, SARDINIA with her arlsto-
cratic elements above all, cannot be consolidated
and guarded securely under republican institutions.
But even were II his conviction that they could be
SO governed, it cannot be expected of him that he
would give up his own kingdom, and incur fearful
risks in a cause which. il successful would pro-
duce his downfall. and the ruin of his fortunes.
We are AWARE that we are linking nnnnnular