The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-02
litician.

SaDguine friends Of the Pope have in
obliged tie hope that the recent ccncordas
with Austria would have the effect CT rais
ing the power of the Papacy. The hope is
not consistent with o judicious examination
Of Italian polihcs. Its doubtless true that the
concoldat will operate to rally Austria to the
support Of the Papal church; but to raise the
Pope even TO q respectable position among
monarchs ia beyond the power Of the Court at
Vienna. The wretched Bourbon dynasty which
is slowly dying out at Naples, is not more Of q
Aforementioned as q recommendation the
secular institutions in the Papal dominions
Like decrepit old woman, who forgets tha-
time has not spared her, and leers and mum
bIes the soft words Of love sue used to whisper
into ravished cars in the days Of her youth end
her beauty, the Pope fingers on--a bishop and
a king, in name-in fact, a decaycd trunk
publishing amid The sarcastic laughter Of an
enlightened world bulls and concordats aud re-
scripts which were once won't to make men
trcmble; and feebly clutching at the sceptre
which stronger hand than his sustains, for
selfish purposes, in his shaky fingers. A pitia-
bic spectacle!
But all Italy claims concern. Divided be-
tween two parties, each backed by a fOreign
Power it awaits the day Of revolution patti
emily. On one side stands Sardinia, with
its constitutional government on the Louis
Philippe model, its thriving people, its rail
roads, its trade, its efficient army on the
other, Rome and Naples, with their decay,
their stagnation Of popular blood, their con
temptible rulers, and now and then, their
spasmodic crises of despotism in the sovereign
and silent suffering among the people. At the
Lack Of the former stands France not forget
full either of Louis XII. or of Napoleon l.;
and willing, even while restoring the Pope
to give substantial aid to Victor Emmanuel's
administration in throwing off the Papal ale
glance. Behind Naples and Rome crouches
Austria: plainly jealous Of the growth of free
dom on the borders of Lombardy; counting the
Pope, as though he could help the Caesars; and
feeling grim sort Of satisfaction in support
ing pair Of governments worse than her
own. Even Russia 80 the story, which is of
British manufacture, tells us-has o kind word
for imbccile Ferdinand Of Naples, and would
find an ally in him, if there were the least pos.
sibiIity Of his getting his troops to the seat OF
war.
To suppose that ont of his chaotic imbroglio
any good can como for HE Holiness reuuhss
n strong Catholic faith in the perpetuity
Of the church. The Gentilcs, as rule.
arc inclined to look rather for the supremacy
OF Sardinia than for any revival Of the Papal
power. 1t is currently reported in Europe that
Victor Emmanuel may expect nm extension Of
his boundaries, as the reward Of his participa-
ton in the war. Should hostiltics last year
or two longer, IL is almost impossible that Ma.
pies and Austria can keep wholly aoof. Either
Ire territory II the King Of the Two siciiics
on l.cmbardy would answer the purpose Of the
Allies. The Sandman dominions might be
spread to Venice, or Naples might be annex-
cd, aud q constitutional government cstab-
lshed there. There Is no insuperable objcc
ton even to placing the Pope under the pro-
lection of Sardinia, after The manner OF the
british protcctorates in Ilindostan.
II il very remarkable fact that Sardinia il
the only continental nation OF Earope which
has proved itself capable Of maintaining con.
stitutional government pcaceably. Even France
could not abide it for over generation. In
Sardinia it works admirably. The inference i
She same as that which was suggested by The
dictatorship Of Manin ut Venice; namely, that
the Italians, much abused and dcrided as they
have been, arc perfectly capable Of self govern.
men, when freed from .heoeratic despotism