New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-27
SARDINIA.


memorable Spring of 18i5. France, Germany,
Italy, Hungary seemed to be resusc'ated, and the
prspdest results were looked for But all with
cred in the freezing storm of reaction. From the
general disaster little SARDINIA alone has saved some
few seeds of liberty.
Up to 1S47 Sardinia was under priestly, big
oted, absolutst influence of the darkest hue. The
clergy, the jesuits and other monks were count
lees. and in come smaller cities seemed to out
number civilians in the streets. Notwithstanding
all this from about 1910 certain opposite cur
rent had become more and more perceptbe.
This movement was of an intellectual character.
Various studies we're diligently prosecuted in the
universities but the history OF Italy, and es-
pecially of Piedmont, although taken from royanst
standpoint, was an object of especial attention
and was even considered as beacon pointing TO-
ward the future of the country. Piedmont and
her monarchy were represented as the fore
most champions of resistance to the foreign
dominion exercised by Austria over Italy. AT
various STAGES aud in various departments of
the newly revived national life, GiOberti, Cesar
Baibo, MassimO dAzeglio and some others were
the leaders keeping alive by their writings and
their example a considerable degree of mental ac-
tiyity among at least portion of the people.
In Is47 a slight liberal breeze came from Rome,
and Carlo Alberto, whose hatred of Austria
e0ualed his ambitious but patriotic views, yielded
slightly TO the inspiring influence, aud a Law
granting some little liberty to the press WIS pro-
mulgattd Amid the storm Of war in las con-
stitution was formed, liberal at the outset aud
opening to Piedmont new political era Soon
after. the Piedmontese armies were oyerpOwered
by the Austrians yet the reaction gained no mold
on the Government, and the constitutional regime
became national property. This child, born among
dark omens. was nursed tenderly aud escaped
deash. When the bloody treachery OF lo+5
was fulfilled, Sardinia became surrounded on
all sides by upreentiug despOtsm and re-
action, beside becoming a refuge for French,
Italian and German patriots. The position Of
the country and Of the Government became Gu
fcult and dangerous, isolated as the people were
with their new liberal institutions among libert-
eide despots Nor were internal dangers wanting
an active, INSCRIPTIONS and powerful party, COM
posed Of arstOcrats and priests, and backed by
Rome, has never ceased tensciousy to OppOse the
nav reforms Sardinia, however, directed her
bark as best she could among these breakers.
Slowly therefore but unnterruptedly, the consti-
tutional principles have been developed. Net that
mistakes aud wrongs have not been in many re-
spects committed Many things still remain unful-
filed that are srdently wished for by the friends of
Freedom but We hail the good, however limited
carried out against such menacing odds At any
rate an immense political progress has been
achieved in Sardinia from lo47 to 1855 and this
can be said of no other country in Europe
Darkness prevailed within ten years since and now
Ii. empers in all directions The political
power of the priesthood and of ROms is met
openly with energy and decision. II is already
shaken and will, we hope, soon be uproosed. The
temporal authority and interference Of the Pope
in the internal affairs OF Sardinia, which had eI-
listed for centuries, is greatly curtailed. The
priesthood are brought under the action of the
general laws of the country; the large church
possessions are returned partly to the nation and
used for better purposes-such as public schools
religious equality, thing yet unheard of in Italy,
is recognized; and the priests and bishops who
oppose the new laws and foment resistance and
outbreaks among the people are suspended in the
exercise OF their functions and tried and imprisoned.
All this has been more than sufficient TO call the
Pope, TO irritste bigoted Austria, and eyen Louis
Napoleon. The lawful acts of the Sandman Gov
eminent the Pope has answered with efete Vatican
thuDeers-suspension, hard words and men.ces of
accommodation. But these weapons rebounded
and proved harmless
AL this forms q clear gain Of inestimable value.
and to theee advances must be added the liberty OF
the Press This, ~ 1t now prevails in Sardinia 10 not