The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-23

Much has been said in this country about
Sardinia, but no American paper has yet given
fair and impartial account ofevents transpired
in that part Of Italy since ls4s. All the repub-
lican governments which sprung up at that
epoch in Europe were aAnihilated Immediately
after their birth, some by the combined forces
of the despots, others falling, rs France and
Tuscany by their own hands. Kings and
princes, threatened by their subjects, granted
constitutions, which they repealed as soon as
| the Holy Alliance re-established the statu quo;
others became the champions of freedom. be-
cause the revolutionary times required it from
them; but where are now to be found in Europe
the republics and constitutional governments Of
the memorable year 1848?
France, desolated by socialists, commu-
nists, Fourierites and red republicans, who
declared individual property robbery, &C
cepted dictator, afterwards crowned paruenu
empesor, and left the republic only matter of
history. Venice, after a year of desolation by
cholera and famine, besieged by land and sea,
surrendered with glory. Rome, so nobly de-
Tended by Garibaldi, so weakly governed by
| the triumvirs, fell, crushed by coalition Of
four foreign armies; and Tuscany was sold and
| betrayed by the dictator Guerazzi, who was
more ambitious ofpersonal glory than ofredeem-
ing his country. So one by one, all the popular
governments disappeared, all liberal constitu-
tions and all hopes Of a better condition of
things And amidst this general ruin Sardinia
alone stood proudly and independent, main
tanning it's constitution, and marching always
forward in the way Of progressive and liberal
institutions.
The heavy budget of two unfortunate wars
against Austria to redeem Lombardy from a
foreign despotism which amounted to several
millions of dollars were paid The Piedmon-
tese people accepted willingly new taxes,
without murmur, without any hostile demon
stration. That small kingdom became the
refuge Of sixty thousand Italian exiles, and all
Of them found means Of existence, and equal pro-
lection as born citizens. In vain Austria
claimed the surrender Of these refugees. The
Sandman government, as proved in its last
gave up single individual, the only refugees
banished from that free land being those arrived
at our port in the San Giovanni, and few
others for having united in the last partial con-
spiracies of Mazzini-a mad enterprise, against
which the most conspicuous Italian republicans
in London, Paris and Piedmont protested. In
the kingdom Of Sardinia the parliament is
divided into two chambers the Representatives,
who are elected by the people, and the Senate,
the members ofwhich are nominated by the
King. The Piedmontese constitution is based
on more ample liberties than even that of Eng
land allowing Jews and Protestants seat in
parliament; and at the present time there are
three Jews and five Protestants elected by
Catholic voters. The ecclesiastical tribunals
press is guaranteed by the government, and edi-
tors are fined or punished by tribunal of JUS
tice only when they are found guilty Of
conspiracies against the constitutional govern
ment Of the country. Two Archbishops were
banished as traitors; and the Minister of the
Interior has lately published decree directing
the Governor of Savoy to allow the introduce
ton of Protestant Bibles into the State; and in
the city of Turin may be seen, at this very day,
bookstore belonging to the Bible Society Of
England. All forms of religious worship are
permitted, and the poor Waldenses, SO much
prosecuted in past times, have now many
churches and schools provided by the gov
eminent.
In almost every city and village are to be
found the National Guard, workmen's associa-
tions, women's conventions, not, as in the
United States, for the privilege Of advocating
temperance and wearing pants, but to promote
the education of their sex, SO much neglected
on the continent of Europe.
The militia are drilled in daytime, in the
evening are taught reading, writing, history,
geography, &C., by their officers, and every six
months are publicly examined and rewarded
Thus the soldier is citizen, and not, as in
other countries, a mere instrument Of des-
potism SO that when he returns to his home
he is enabled to educate his children in the
same way.
To advance the welfare of the country a
Sandman ministry has concluded reciprocal
treaties of free trade with eleven different
nations has favored companies and railways
which are better organized and constructed
than many in the United States A gigantic
railroad across the Alps, from the Alpine city
Of Swor, through Savoy and France, has just
been commenced, and another, Of equal magni-
tude, is to pass into Switzerland
As soon as this great railway shall be ended,
all the products Of the United States for Swift
erland and the south Of Germany will take
different direction. This road being considered
as the artery Of that part of Europe, vessels
from our ports will no longer 60 by way Of
Bremen, Antwerp, and Havre, but land their
cargoes At Genoa, to be forwarded southwark.
For this purpose the Minister of Finance pro-
posed to shipowners in Sardinia to establish
three direct lines Of packet ships between
Genoa, Charleston, Mobile. and New Orleans,
for the cotton trade, allowing to the proprietors
dndunfion On dtIfin