The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-11
From the New York Tribune.
ITALIAN AFFAIRS.
The Italian Princes and the Italian People.

SPRINGFIELD, Monday June 8, 1850.
To the Editor Of The Mem York Tribune:
Since you have been so oblgng as to insert In
your columns my reply to the calumnies Of Sigma
against the Roman Republic, | am encouraged
again to trespsss on your patience by sending you
a few observations touching system OF msrepre.
sentation which has been insidiously disseminated
throughout this country, as likewise In Europe.
The Aristocratic-J esutical party seems to be
especially interested In distorting the Italian
question not only because II involves the imme-
date wel-being Of some twenty five millions Of
human beings, but likewise because, from its re-
lgious, as well as from Its geographical position,
1t could not fail TO exercise an immense influence
upon tho cause of civil and religious liberty
throughout the entire world. By mos. srtful
misrepresentat this party endeavors TO de-
prive the Liberals Of the sympathy Of American
freemen.
In monarcbical countries It is studiously incul-
Gated among the people that they ought TO be
overwhelmed with respect and gratitude when
ever the Prince relinqnishes some small portion
Of his power, as the means Of preserving the re-
mainder.
Let us Imagine that jolnt-stock company had
deposited their funds or other valuabies in the
hands of an agent, and this agent were TO take II
into bis head to appropriate the whole to his own
use, leaving the company In state Of restitution
Let us i'm eias that this agent, foarfal lest the
company might come and forcibiy take back its
property, were to hire band OF rufians 70 protect
him, and that this merceDsry gang were 10 beat
mprison, or kill the poor, defrauded merchants
Let us imagine that their friends and neighbor
having united TO assist them, this dishonest agent
rather than risk a fight, were to restore 10 the
company 1.-THE Of his plumber, and then were Il
have the effrontery to tell them that they ought
TO be grateful for his generosity-what would
you say Of such fcllowl
Such is precisely the relative position Of People
and of Prince. The oppression Of the Pope !,
even more odious for he, uniting the temporal
TO the spiritual dominion, destroys all confidence
between man and man. all affection In families, and
works upon the superstition Of the masses, using
for political purposes the power he claims to OK
ercise rs head OF the Catholic Church, and shut
ting men out OF heaven for not obeying bis su
thority as King But not TO enter upon theology
cal discussion, which is out Of place here, let nj
class the Pope where he 30 obstinately insists
upon being included) among the temporal Princes
and let US impartially weigh the conduct Of thes'
| Princes toward the People.
When the oppression Of the Italian Govern
ment had, 10 Isi7, risen TO such IN ezosss ths
the Princes could no longer Withstand the popular
movement these Princes, acting under tbs advice
OF a British peripatstic Ambassador, placed them
selves at the head Of the Liberal party, to lead
and TO mislsad IT, Whist else could be expectes
from Jesuits1 When were Princes ever known
To have reformed themselves
King Ferdinand Of Naples commonly called
Bombay Is the most cruel tyrsnt Of the presen
day. sven past ages cannot show . worse one
Oocs he gave way 20 the popular will, and accept
ed the Constitution. Unfortunate day Ha'
he NOT dsss that act of deceit, be would hav
been swept away, aud would not have had tn
] opportunity, shortly sfisrwsrd, to bstray and =