The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-03
The French Attack OH Rome.

[From the London Chronicle, June Is
The ceaseess roll OF artillery from the hills that
skirt the Eternal City, procalms to the world that
the armies of the great republic Of France are in
| auguratipg the reign OF democracy, philanthropy
and universal peace, by annihilating, almost be
fore it has clipped the shell, the nasceni republic
of Rome. From his trenches on the Janiculan,
General Oudinot's heavy siege train is pouring its
unntermitting storm OF shot against the old walls
which protect the Trastevere side OF the town;
after the lapse of few days, at most, the breaches
enabled to enter with levelled bayonets the city
which so unaccountably refused to listen to the
overtures of their fraternal affection, and to re-,
ceive them as brothers and allies. But Rome will
not be won when shot and shell shall have battered
down her walls; and it may be feared that, in adj
diton TO the heavy losses already sustained, Of
which we have very imperfect accounts, much
more blood will yet be split before the final close OF
this nglorous and disastrous struggle The
streets present abundant facilities for the strategy
of barbados, and have been fortified with un-
wearled labor and care by the whole population,
working under the superlntendence of the most
present upwards of 10000 regular and irregular
troops, all completely armed, OF whom large por-
ton are foreigners, desperadoes, whose trade IS
instruction, who are ready TO light now, as they
have fought before, without hope or thought OF
victory. and who know no control but their own
will. These men know full well the advantage
they possess in garrlsoning a city which ought to
be kept under glass case Tor the benefit OF Eu-
but of all nations-thelr rich repository OF classl
cal and ecclesiastical antquites-the treasure
house IN which are stored the imperishable mas
terpeces OF art bequeaihed by the. great painters
and sculptors, whose names are OF every country
and Of every age, to the keeping of the civilized
world II this wanton and unjustifiabe raid should
rob the casket of single Jewel, 1t will entail
more general and lasting oboquy upon the French
nation than if it had cost the lives of whole heca-
tombs Of Roman republicans.
Whatever the issue Of the siege may be, it is
evident that the disasters already sustained, and
the shame of a fragrant, and most embarrassing
miscarriage have inflicted upon the present gov
eminent OF France a shock from which it will,
perhaps, never entirely recover. Taking into &C
count the present state OF parties, 1t must be ad-
united that the result OF the division on Ledfu
Rollins motion, and still more the feeling exhi-
bted by the House during the debate, afford NEST
significant proofs that the Assembly, although de-
teTmincd to support the Ministry, ~ perfectly alive
to the real state Of the case, and keehy sensible
Of the difficulties in which il is likely TO involve
the government and the nation. NJ Barrots ella
borate defence has only plunged him deeper into
the mire. The more light he throws upon the thing,
the worse II looks IL Is lndefenslble; and the most
ingenious apoogist could not give il a color Of JUS
tice, humanity, or sound policy Ii has put
weapon into The hands OF the Mountain, which
nothing but their own lncapacity and precipitation
could have prevented them from using with tell
ing effect; II has profoundly disguised the mass of
the people: it has given occasion to mcnaccs Of
Insurrecton so serious, that Paris has again been
placed in state OF siege, and has called up, AT
moment when the French capital had almost re-
covered its old aspect Of smiling gsyety and
less pleasure, the CHASTITY recollecions OF the days
OF February and June.
The real difficulty, however, is yet to come.
While the French artillery il laundering at the
walls Of Rome, an Austrian army is conquering
hncona for the Pope, and five or six thousand
Spaniards also sworn soldiers OF the church, are
resting on the Neapoli'an frontier. With these
unlocked for auxilisries close al hand, aud with
the records Il the Gaeta conference still uncan-
celled, France cannot, unless she Is prepared TO
make this scnselcss quarrel the prelude TO gene
raj war; refuse TO restore the Pope, when she is IN
posscssion OF the capital Of his domlnlons. lie
will be restored, II not by the arms, at least with
the concurrence, Of Austria, Naples, and Spain.
The manmuvre which was devised to Dust their
interference will have been practically fooled, and
this hasiy and illconsldered stroke will merge, in
The eyes Of the European public, IN JOINT interyen
lion by the four Catholic powers. Az the game
now stands, TIL. - almost sure 10 be the re suit
VIII. pfonsnD, t. Si ennan 10 lei rrne. d., i
bloody and inyiGlous work Of taking The capital
without STRIVING 10 participate IN an achievement
lrem which there - no prospect Of reaping either
honor or advantage. II they are satisfied, we may
be satisfied also. But IN the meanwhile, we have
before us the naked fact, that the French are be-
slcring lone, not upon the reques, or application
OF sovereign whose very existence they seem pur-
poscy 10 ignore altogether, but for the declared OBJ
Iect OF auementinc their own influence by constitu-
ting Themselves the sole aibiters Of her political
destiny. We cannot consent to look upon that a
matter OF llgh, importance. IL Is grave and most
reprehcnsible act, and one Of which the British
government lie bou nd to take notice and we mast
own that We should be glad TO have some more
particular account than Lord I.ansdownc has given
us Of the communications which have passed on
the subject between the French and English fo-
reign Offices. II may. or II may not, be true that
the iofm OF government which France alone would
impose IN the people OF Rome would be better
than the form OF government which Austria alone, or
Austria combined with Naples would impose upon
them. II may be that French influence would be
more favorable than Austrian influence 10 the cause
OF order and rational liberty in the Peninsula Bu,
that would OF course furnish no apology for the
act itscl and none for conniying or acluicscing
in il. We say fairly, that do not suspect Lord
Pancrstcn Of any thing deserving the maine Of con
nivancc OF acquiescence but we must repeat that
~ would be matter OF sincere regret 10 Va to find
that precedent 80 misohieyous and 80 fatal had
not been met with prompt and explicit disapprova
BY The British government government, who-e
lightest expression OF opinion Justly exercises 80
powerful an influence on the politics Of Europe
The Rspuhlie OF France.
rom The London Times. June ~