Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-07-04
President sOnaplrte's list NIcss;tge
to the French MISUNDERSTANDING
FOREIGN APFAiRS.

comes quiet Europe lays its repose OF agitation at
DurJoor. This responsibility imposes important
tutics upon us it dominates over our 'si,uatiun-
Ate. the days ofFebruary the recoil Of our fevo-
luton was'fetfroh the Baltic to the NIedi,errane-
an, and my predecessors in office refused 10 throw
France into war Of which they could not see the
end. They were'figtt :Ehe state of civilization
IN Europe allowsus to deliver oGr country to the
hazards OF a general COLLISION only when we have
necessity and justice Enthusiastically on our side. A
secondary Influence, more or less specous politi-
cal reason, are not enough nation like ours, if
does engage In gigantic struggle, ought To be- able
to justify in the eyes Of The world either the mag
nitude OF its success or that of its mstortunes.
When came to power, great questions were
pending throughout Europe. On the banks OF the
Rhine, beyond the Alps, from Denmark to Sicily
we'had our interest To protect, our influence to en-
er. But did this interest and this influence for be-
ing energeically upheld merit the chances of Il Eu-
ropean coniiagration The question thus put was
easily answered. From this point of view France
did, in all the foreign affairs which we are going TO
review, all that she could do for the interest of her
allies, without nevertheless, appealing to the last
argument OF Governments, viz, the force Of arms
"A year ago Sicily had risen against the King of
Naples England and France interlered with their
fleets to stop the hOsties, which became still more
cruel and though England was more interested in
the question than even France, the two admirals
united to obtain from the King Ferdinand an am
nesty for the Sicilians, and constitution which
guaranteed their legislative and administrative in
dependence. They refused. The ad.nirals Quit
ted Sicily, being forced to abandon their mediation,
and soon aiterward the war began. The very peo-
pile which had refused to accept favorable conditions
was forced to an unconditional surrender.
A serious war broke out in the North of Italy,
and when the Piedmontese army advanced to the
Mmci0 1t was thought, though bat for moment
only, that Lombardy would reconquer its independ
enco. Discord proved fatal to that hope, and the
King OF Piedmont obliged to retreat within his
own states. AT the time Of my election the medi-
alton of England and France had been accepted by
the beligerent parties. The only thing to be effect
ed was 10 get the least dsadvantageous conditions
for Piedmont. Our part was traced out, and even
prescribed. IOreiuse compliance was the inflam-
ing European war. Though Austria did not send
any agent to Brussels-tlie place which was de-
signed Tor the conference.-the L rerch Government
counselled Piedmont to resist the movement which
was hurryng her into war, and not to re- COM
mence a too unequal conflict. This counsel was
not followed, as you know. And after a new de-
feat the King of Sardinia concluded directly with
Austria fresh Armistice. Although France was
Rot responsible for this conduct, she could not per-
init Piedmont to be crushed, and from the tribune
itself the Government declared that it would main
tain the integrity and territory Of country which
covers one portion Of our frontiers. On the one side
1t used its best endeavors to moderate the require
m6nts OF Austria, when she demanded an indemni-
ty Tor the war which appeared TO be exorbtant-
On the other hand it engaged Piedmont to make
inst sacrifices in order to obtain honorable peace
we have every reason to believe that we sh all be
successful IN this work Of Cancellation.
While these events were passing in the North of
italy, new commotions in the centre of the
peninsula to complicate the question. In Tuscany
tAe Grand Duke had Quilted his states. In Rome
revolution had been accomplished which had pro-
toandy agtaied the Catholic and liberal world in
effect, for two years we had been in the habit of
seeing on the holy throne pontf who took the in
itatye In useful! returms and whose name, repeat
cd IT. hymns of gratitude from one end OF Italy to
the ether, symbol of liberty and pledge of
every hope. 1t was then we heard on sudden,
with astonishment that this sovereign, SO lately The
idol OF his people, had been compelled to fly fnttiye-
ly from his capital. So it was the acts of ag-
gression which enforced Plus TX. to quit Rome ap-
peared in the eyes of Europe to be rather a con-
spiracy than the movement of people, which
could not have passed in one moment from the most
lively enthusiasm TO the most affecting ingratude.
The Catholic powers dispatched ambassadors to
Gaeta to occupy themselves about the grave inter
ests of the Papacy. France, too, had a right to be
represented there. She listened to everything
without committing herself TO any course of action
but after the defeat of Novarta, affairs assumed
more decided aspect: Austria, in concert with Ma
picSs ANSWERING appear vi IhOiy no
fified to the French Government that it mast de-
eide upon its COURSE, for these powers were deter
mined 10 march upon Rome with the intention Of
restoring purely and simply the authority Of the
Pope. When were thus in position i'm which
explanation was necessary we had but one of three
courses 10 adopt. Either to oppose ourselves by
arms to every species Of intervention, in which case
we came to a rupture with all Catholic Europe in
the sole interests of the Roman Republic, which we
had ~ alluw the three mowers In
coalition 10 establish, according TO their nclIna
ton, and without Limitation, the authority of the
Pope; or, lastly to exercise direct and independ
ent action by our own spontaneous movement
The Government of the Republic adopted this
last recourse. II seemed to us an easy thing make
the Romans understand that, pressed as they were
every side, their only chance Of safety lay in us
chat if our presence brought about as one of its re
suits the return Of Plus TX, the sovereign, faithful
20 his own character, would bring back with hiu
reconciliation and liberty that once at Rome, W.
guaranteed the integrity of Tire territory, by depriv
ing Austria OF every pretext Of entering Ramagna
We might even hope that our flag, once raisec
without contest IN the middle Of Italy, would have
extended its protecting influence over the whole
peninsula, none of whose SOrrow5 can be to us
matter Of Indifference. The expedition to Civita
Fecchla then resolved upon in concert with tht
National Assembly, which voted the necessary
credits. 1t had every chance OF success all the adj
vices received were unanimous in announcing tina
at Rome, with the exception of little knot Of per
sons, who had seized the authority for themselves
the majority OF the population awaited or arrva
with impaencc Common sense might have leo
ore expect that this was 50, for tho choice coulC
scarcely be doubtful one between our Intervention
and that of the other powers.
A train of unhappy circumstances led to differ
ent result our expedlIlOnary force, OF slender a
mount in point Of numbers, serious resistance wa
not foreseen, dseHbarked at Civita Vecchia. an,
The Government md received intelligence that
SooIJ q, Layo ,rr;ved At R,r,c ft,c e.D,o a.